What's Wrong With This Picture? Everything!

This is how the day's two leading stories
appeared on the front page of yesterday's New Zealand's largest newspaper, Auckland's New Zealand Herald.
New Zealand should not have queues outside food banks. New Zealand should not need to have food banks.
New Zealand politicians have done nothing to warrant any sort of salary increase. Not even a 1.9 percent pay increase and certainly not one that's backdated by six months.
And the day before, like a rat leaving a sinking ship or was it a politicians sixth sense, perhaps coincidence, Prime Minister Key and his family flew off to have Christmas at their holiday home in Hawaii.
Personally I hope they never come back. Ever.
And so, in this season of goodwill to all,
I challenge every politician in the country
to give away their pay increases to a family
who might need it.
God knows there's plenty to choose from...

Last Chance Harvey. Don't Miss Out. This Beautiful Old Bedford Could Be Yours...

My friend Harvey who's currently touring New Zealand's wonderful South Island with its magnificent scenery, emailed me to say he's thinking of trading in his late model Nissan motorhome for this beautiful old 1937 Bedford Housebus.
Naturally I gave him my unbiased, candid opinion and told him he was mad if he didn't.
You'd agree with me I'm sure.
What an opportunity I said. A once in a lifetime one I told him. Where would you find another old girl like that I continued, this ladys been around and can still turn heads.
I've been waiting to hear from him.
He usually takes my advice.
Last chance Harvey...

Round The World In A Tiny Home On Wheels...

Karin and Matthew are in New Zealand  for a few months as part of their round the world tour in their German manufactured 4WD Toyota Landcruiser.
They've already travelled extensively in Europe and were last in Canada, going back to their home in Austria where they're both employed as Energy Consultants.
There, they'll earn some more money to sustain their lifestyle.
I caught up with them at the Department of Conservation's campsite at Uretiti Beach a few days ago.
After New Zealand they'll go to Australia and then to South Africa.
Life's all about choices they say...

Bicycles For Carrying Just About Everything...

These days many folk around the world are choosing cycling as the much greener option for travelling, for short or long distances,
for leisure or business.
These cargo bicycles, freight bicycles, carrier cycles or bakfietsen as they are known have been around for a long time but their designs have become much more user friendly,
their construction stronger
and their frames lighter.
It seems there's a bicycle for all occasions.
As I've said before, it's time someone designed a stylish and comfortable safety hat...

Zinta Aistars Gorgeous Little Rustic Cottage On The Hill...

Zinta Aistars loves tiny homes and as she explains here and on Tiny House Blog, she moved into a hundred and something year old farmhouse in southwest Michigan complete with ten beautiful acres and a cute little cottage on the hill.
Zinta's a writer and finds the rustic little cottage a delight to her senses and her need for a meditative retreat.
And that's what this quirky and delightful little cottage on the hill is.
But I wish it had a woodstove...

Chinese Factory Workers And The Toys They Make...

German photographer Michael Wolf visited the five toy factories in Mainland China where seventy five percent of the world's toys are manufactured.
He's documented The Real Toy Story.
The retail price of one high quality toy sold in the western market is often more than six months salary for a Chinese toy worker.
While I've no wish to reduce the already meager earnings of these toy factory workers who work in abysmal conditions, I suggest you give consideration to buying products made in your own country.
I know that here in New Zealand,
if we don't buy buy more locally manufactured products, it will be bye bye New Zealand...

I Thought I Was Seeing Double...

I thought I was seeing double.
It was early afternoon and I hadn't been drinking so it could've been the sun.  But I was right and it was Phil and Zara with their two children PJ and Zach, arriving at Uretiti Beach in their 1979 Daimler Fleetline Housebus.
Originally a City of London bus, it was imported into New Zealand in 2000 and became an Auckland City Party Bus.
Phil and Zara have owned it for seven years and are well accustomed to the many who surround the bus to ask questions and take their photos.
It didn't take long for a group of guys to gather around the rear of the bus as Phil was showing off the huge six cylinder Gardner that takes up nearly the full width of the bus.
It's top speed is about 65kph but hey, who's in a hurry when there's a great life to live...