Sunday 2 December 2012

Antigua Boat Sheds... Christchurch... They Haven't Fallen Down!


I was busing into the city and decided to get off and walk.
I remembered the lovely cafe at the Antigua Boatsheds.
Years ago I used to live further round this river and it was a favourite haunt...
But I haven't been there for ages.
These boatsheds are part of the early history of Christchurch...
Built it 1882... In 2006 the current owners did extensive work on the foundations and piles...
Added structural bracing and put in fire sprinklers.
This is what saved this heritage building in the earthquakes.
It was only closed for six weeks before it was 'business as usual'.
It was very nice to visit and sit and have coffee again.
Read more here... 

But I was confronted by barriers and tape...
The foot bridge was closed by earthquake damage.
I had to walk round through the hospital grounds... Which is next door...
And use the vehicle bridge...

It's a lovely and very popular cafe and always busy with people hiring boats.





It has a very English feel with the young men in their blazers and boaters
who 'man' the punts. 

It's the Avon River that meanders its way through the Botanical Gardens.
I love walking through there at all times of the  year.

 
The cafe has its resident cat... People were sitting drinking coffee at this table...
Neither the cat or people disturbed each other!

And a family of ducks... Mother who was very watchful over her seven babies...
One of which was very adventureous and spirited.
I wonder how many will survive the water rats... Horribe thought.
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