Potential squatter?

He then went into another stairwell, and was seen no more.  While I wasn’t watching continually I thought I would have heard his squeaky trolley if he’d taken it away again, so I wonder whether perhaps he may be squatting there.  The power has been disconnected, and I’m not sure whether the water’s still on.  We don’t have a contact for the owners, and CERA is interested only in red-zoned houses.  If the man is a homeless squatter he’s not doing any harm, and so I’m not doing anything, except filing my photo just in case. What would you do in these circumstances?

“If he’s a man without a home
he’s better there than on the roam.”

Public bucket list on Madras Street

Some have said things like “Rule the world” and “Live in New York”.  Others are not suitable for repeating online.

Have you made a list of the things you want to do before you die?

“I do not have a bucket list
and there are several things I’ve missed.”

New Pallet Pavillion

The space inside is flexible with crates for seating.  The area is available for all kinds of events.

Inside the Pavillion

“Recycling pallets on this site
has given us a venue bright.”

“The High Country” by Joanna Langford

Planned as part of the 2010 SCAPE exhibition and thwarted by earthquakes, ‘The High Country’ was finally erected last month.  It uses found and recycled materials to create an image of lush pastures surrounding an illuminated model city.

Artist Joanna Langford said she attempted to “transverse a whimsical city environment” with The High Country. In late 2010 it was envisioned as a comment on urbanism, waste and regeneration.

“Now, with Christchurch having changed so much with the earthquakes, I think that it says even more than it could have in the past; with lines of traffic flowing past it, facing on to the peaceful tree-lined expanse of Cranmer Square and in stark contrast to the surrounding gap sites, vacant lots and demolition.”

“This plastic city, set on high
creates a statement in the sky.”

Bargains?

Would one really gain a bargain here?  Or would you need some bar-tonic to go with the bar-gin?  I suspect if I complained they’d tell me they’d done it on purpose to catch my eye.  I hate to think how many banners have been (mis)printed for Paper Plus shops throughout the country.

“I shunned the chance to make a fuss
but might have if I’d been Lynne Truss.”

I enjoyed “The Hobbit” despite it being nearly three hours long.  The first bit in the Shire, with its mythic overtones was the best part in my opinion.  At Bag End I kept looking in case I might see the Morris Chair which I sold to Wingnut Films, but sadly it didn’t feature.  The battle scenes were kept to a reasonable length, the special effects were excellent, and I liked seeing James Nesbitt as the dwarf Bofur.  There were one or two scenes that seemed just a little far-fetched and made me laugh, but overall it was great, and lovely to see local scenery playing a part.

Afterwards we went to the Fox and Ferret and shared a late lunch platter which I’d purchased at half price through GrabOne.  When I turned my cellphone on I found a text informing me that my mobile number had been selected as a winner of £5 million on a Free Lotto End-of-year promotion.  I was instructed to contact Rodney Williams to claim my prize.  I’m sure that if I did so, Rodney’s next move would be to ask for my bank account number.

“A windfall may have come my way
but I’m too cynical to play.”

Decorated bus stop

Sadly our buses have been re-routed since early December, so the stop is now purely decorative.  I wanted to write “closed” on it to warn unsuspecting travellers, but couldn’t reach high enough and had to content myself with writing on the pole.  You can see from the photo that Christmas Day here is cloudy, but our temperature has already reached twenty degrees and we’re heading for a “scorching 29″.

“Though we no longer have a bus
gold tinsel is an extra plus.”

I had a delicious loin of Oxford Lamb, served with my favourite ratatouille and mash.  Stephen enjoyed a Margherita Pizza from their wood-fired oven. We finished with a rich chocolate cake, then went home to sleep it off (and wait for Santa).

“At Cafe Valentino we’ve
enjoyed a meal on Christmas Eve.”

The sign reads: “Caution Easterners. Flat surface ahead.”

It warns drivers that they are coming up to a smooth patch of road – something that’s uncommon on this side of town.

“The road has had a full repair
and on this side of town, that’s rare.”

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Thank the Goddess for the Avon River and beautiful Poplar Crescent – one constant amid the continual changes.

Poplar Crescent

“The deconstruction just goes on.
When will those diggers all be gone?”

Hitchhiker on Barbadoes Street

It’s years since I’ve seen anyone attempting to hitchhike here, and I wondered whether she would have any luck.  Her male partner was discreetly hidden behind a bush, ready to join her once someone stopped.

“I wonder if they got a ride
or if they gave up, walked, and sighed.”

Koru Bike Stand

Alongside it is a clever repair stand which has all the spanners, etc, you might need to fix your bike, plus a place to pump up your tyres.  This kind of thing will surely encourage more people to cycle.  Perhaps the Council will install more BikeFixit stands?

Bike Fixit Stand sponsored by Bicycle Ventures and Dero

“These are the kinds of things I like
that help more people go by bike.”

Little Drummer Boy in the red zone

Every now and then his arms move and the tune of the Little Drummer Boy plays through a loudspeaker.

“He’s bringing us some Christmas joy
this lonely little drummer boy.”

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“The Loop is changing every day
as red-zoned people move away.”

Smoothie Cycle

The smoothie maker is pedal-powered.  Someone has to sit on the bicycle and pedal hard.  This is a fun idea, sponsored by C1 Cafe and All Good Bananas.

“Not wasted energy, I think,
when at the end you get a drink.”

Ward’s fire engine

This is parked outside the old Community Law building which is currently being demolished.  I guess it’s handy for the demolition workers to have water available just in case, and perhaps to damp down the dust.

“Among the debris and the muck
it’s good to have your own fire truck.”

Putting up lights at Friendship Corner

I love seeing trees lit up on the riverbank, so hope these lights are permanent and not just for the festive season.

“Attractive lights around a tree
are such a pleasant thing to see.”

First half of frame

Today you can see the outline of all that wall.

Now it’s really taking shape

A man from Naylor Love was across the road sighting up some kind of instrument.  I wondered if he was checking to see if they’d got it straight. The building should be completed by February.

“Our new cathedral’s planned to be
of cardboard, architecturally.”

Buzz Coffee

It’s a Piaggio Ape (Ape is Italian for bee) powered by a 50 cc two stroke engine, and is the smallest self-powered coffee machine in the country.  Happily for me they sell hot chocolate too.

“Digby Whitlock is the man
inside this little coffee van.”

No parking – Tow away area

This is the first new no parking sign I’ve seen on an empty section since Triple Two Eleven.  It seems a little mean.  Are the owners planning to build something there soon? Or is Wilson’s Parking about to add it to their portfolio?  The duck on the wall behind is definitely more friendly.

“A sign like this distinctly bars
unwanted parking by our cars.”

Door number seven

Inside there was a brand new bed which was today’s prize.  They told me at 7.15am that it had already been won.

This bed was today’s prize

“Each container holds a prize
mostly hidden from our eyes.”

The black hole above the one way sign is where the fire was.

These flats, empty since Triple Two Eleven, are due for eventual demolition.  Let’s hope we don’t see any more fires there.

“This building left there all alone
has been burned by persons unknown.”

Giant advent calendar

Yesterday I discovered it’s actually a giant advent calendar, part of Christmas on Latimer which includes the Telecom Christmas Tree.  Apparently the containers have prizes inside them

“This one has definitely been
the largest calendar I’ve seen.”

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Today’s parade was the 65th, the weather was fine and sunny, and I suspect there’ll be some people wishing this evening that they’d covered up from the sun.

“It’s fun to be in the parade
a bright colourful cavalcade.”

Cardboard Christmas Tree

“We’ve got a cardboard Christmas tree
before the Cathedral-to-be.”