On a hot day the beach is the best place to be. Brighton Pier has been an attraction for generations of Christchurch people. The new structure, completed in 1997, is the biggest ocean pier in Australasia, and has good facilities for fishers.
Fishing from the pier
The day was cloudy and from the pier I could see a distinctive nor-west arch.
Nor-west arch from Brighton Pier
The Pier gives an excellent view of surfers.
Surfing at New Brighton
The library by the pier has comfortable armchairs where you can sit and look out to sea. A notice at the entrance asks bathers to dry off before entering. I liked the sculpture of 87 hardback books, which had been created specifically as an installation outside the University of Canterbury Library. The earthquake must have caused this change of venue.
Book Sculpture by Gerar Toye
Sadly the New Brighton shopping centre looks shabby and uncared for. When I was a child this was the only place where shops were open on Saturday morning and it was a favourite destination. Now it’s run down in a way that’s surprising for a desirable seaside location. The contrast with Sumner is marked. Perhaps Brighton is less attractive because it’s flat and few houses have a sea view. I suspect some who live here may prefer it not to become more popular, but surely they’d appreciate a more vibrant shopping centre?
“The shops aren’t much, but they’re in reach
of sea, and surf, and sandy beach.”
of sea, and surf, and sandy beach.”
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Delighted to see the pier clearly hasn’t been damaged by the earthquakes, or at least not so that people can’t still use it.
There is an amazing video which shows the pier in February’s quake. I know there were a number of people on it at the time including a school group. I love it and still use the library there but have not been brave enough to walk on it since I saw that video!
Ali, in my case, ignorance is bliss. I knew the pier had been off bounds for a while, but I thoroughly enjoyed my walk along it (apart from the occasional concern that my hat might blow off).