Doing our duty by the seaside

the huge old tree stands in front of the building that houses the library in New Brighton, shading the café at the end. This building and rebuilt pier was finished in 1999, and then everything had to be mended after the 2011 earthquake..including the 1934 clocktower 

The pier was built on the footprint of the old one from the 1800s I think..300metres long.

There was a surfing and lifesaving competition in progress.

The sand artist Wayne went from being a long term drug addict and piss head (his words) to making art in the sand, after the shock of a mate's suicide. A clean canvas every tide!

The library was beautiful..and well used..and the help to fill the census forms was welcome! That's the third time we have been counted in ten years.

Behind the jolly front of the sea sun and sand, the place looks a little sad.

I should have stopped and taken a shot of what looks like a lovely huge green grassy area with shrubs and trees...but they are left over from people's gardens....and the street signs still remain to remind us of what was lost .