I love public sculpture .. and this one is awesome! My sister sent a photo she took of it, so I am doubly glad to have a postcard of this image! From the back: “The Cathedral and the Chalice provide a contrast of the old and the new in the centre of Christchurch’s Cathedral Square.”
Glorious view is all I can say! From the back: “This Tudoresque stone building, a familiar landmark on the Port Hills, looks out across the Canterbury Plains beyond Christchurch to the distant Southern Alps.”
I needed more information and, happily, Wikipedia was glad to provide it: “The Sign of the Takahe is today a function centre and tea rooms built in the style of an English Manor House. Designed by J.G. Collins, construction was carried out between 1918 and 1948. The Takahe also provides one of the better panoramic views of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps.
Named after the flightless native New Zealand bird, the Takahe, it was initially one of the roadhouses planned by Henry George (Harry) Ell as part of his scheme to preserve the natural state of the Port Hills which overlook Christchurch and Lyttelton harbour.”
What a beautiful, old church. From the back: “Christchurch Cathedral was built between 1864 and 1904. Its gothic-type architecture contributes to Christchurch’s reputation as New Zealand’s most ‘English’ city.”
I saved the best for last. This is a stunning view of Christchurch, looking west towards the Southern Alps … at dawn. I cannot believe such a view exists. I must see this in person! I would LOVE to live in a place like this!!!
Ok, so they’re not postcards … but they could be, simply by writing on the blank backs. They’re the same size as postcards, too, so they fit into my postcard albums. I picked up this pack of five cards at a recent visit to Ikea, one of my favorite places to while away a few hours dreaming and shopping! 🙂
Picked up this info-rich card at the Reed Gold Mine. Too bad I can’t read it without a magnifying glass! I scanned it at a higher resolution in hopes that you could click to read more details!
