Earthquake muppets, The Strip comes down, and some art goes up: 2012 in pictures: October

I don’t remember Real Groovy moving here – I used to visit the one by SOL Square a bit, but it obviously moved after the September 2010 earthquake. But in October 2012 its new former bikeshop location on Manchester/Tuam Street was being demolished.

Wongi’s mural on Tradestaff building on the corner of Colombo and St Asaph Street was taking shape. Part of enjoying the new art around town is the pleasure of watching it grow.

The back of the Odeon theatre, as viewed from St Asaph Street.

The demolition of the beautiful Cranmer Courts was underway, with protest accompaniment.

Gloucester Street demolition, near Latimer Square.

Tjalling is innocent, Christchurch Art Gallery takes art to the streets again.

Adios Coyotes. Another demolition on The Strip.

Farmers carpark on Gloucester Street was stark viewing.

Clash boutique in the Re:START. A cool bit of art by Smeagol. Not sure where it is now as the shop has gone and is now Breads of Europe.

Lux City!

A pleasing piece of decorative circuitry.

QEII demolition.

We love the beach.

Muppets EQC sign.

Citizens war memorial in Cathedral Square, with bracing.

The busy Strip.

Lovely cuzzies.

See also:

• More October photos
• Michael Jackson, cheezels & the Crowne Plaza – 2012 in pictures: January
• Ronnie van Hout, Earthquake anniversary, & the hellraiser heart of Christchurch – 2012 in pictures: February
• Dirty demolitions – 2012 in pictures: March
• From lingerie to Gerry Brownlee – 2012 in pictures: April
• Dummies, dandys, and things left behind – 2012 in pictures: May
• The Queen, The Snow, The Bulls, and the Supermarket – 2012 in pictures: June
• Margaret Mahy, Michael Parekowhai, little felt workers, and Christchurch words – 2012 in pictures: July
• Mannequins face the future, things implode, and new art busts in: 2012 in pictures: August
• The flying Odeon roof, Elvis has not left the building, & Christchurch sunsets: 2012 in pictures: September

Madchester

When I think of Manchester Street, I think of speed. Whenever I was there, I was in a hurry. Squeezing the maximum into a lunch hour, dashing down to Les Mills, or a night on the town. It reopened over the weekend. We drove down first, getting lost in the lostness. Yesterday I walked down it for the first time. A  solar halo cast an unnecessary weirdness over what was already strange.

I remember these things:

Getting gurnard or prawns at the City Seafood Market. The nearby fish and chip shop did great lunchtime trade with workers. Plus they had proper condiments like lemon pepper.

The shoe repair guy who capped the tips of many of my kitten heels.

Dad’s work (it is gone now).

Fossicking at Smith’s Bookshop.

Verkerks. Carnivores. Meat. Necessary.

My sister’s boyfriend sing  “I want a girl with a short skirt, and a looooooong  jacket” at the Tree House.

Dancing at Shooters and Loaded Hog. Cheap weekend breakfasts of bacon and eggs at Loaded Hog.

Megawatt. Team breakfasts, Spanish frittata. One time getting a hearty smack on the bum from a chap on my way to said breakfast. Lunches with Dad. Lunches with Kathryn (always meringues). Lunches with baby daughter, chatting to Kate.

Running down Manchester Street to Les Mills. Not running at Les Mills though, only dancing, yoga-ing, boxing, stepping …

Battenburg cake at Loef’s bakery. Potato top pies.

Jimmy outside Sullivans, enticing people in for a bit of Oirish craic.

A stunning Destiny’s Child duet “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly” at Christchurch Idol.

Comics compulsion comic sifting.

Checking out ballet shoes at Dance shop, kids’ sizes but all so colourful and pretty.

The mighty Excelsior – family connections, a place of conception. Dad was outside it on 22 February 2011, doing one of his big lunchtime walks.

The Majestic – home of  several union meetings.

Many many meals with friends at Topkapi and Two Fat Indians.

More on Manchester Street:

• Manchester Street reopens – photos
• Manchester Street photos
• Lovely posts by Will Harvie  Walking Manchester St recalls extraordinary Chch and Adrienne Rewi Manchester Street Re-Opened