simple way to get rid of these drug selling parasites

The Government is sort of keeping up with these so-called new legal substances being sold in dairies and other places. They appear and in the next few days another one comes along. It really is quite simple--- ban these parasites from trading. Close them down. They cannot claim innocence about the substances they sell. They know bloody well that they are causing havoc in our communities and putting our young people’s lives at risk. Freedom of choice is fine, but not when it leads to the damage we are hearing about these new nasty drugs coming in under innocent sounding names like ‘bath-salts.’

How dare these ‘traders’ be allowed to go about their business. I am sick of the soft way we are treating them. Get tough Government, or they will continue to ply their evil trade.

I have always enjoyed the shifting moods of Onehunga Bay


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The crazy dogs.

 Yes, be it tides, the weather or  people and dogs, the bay is always changing. I shall let the pictures tell the story.


Tide coming in.



The misty bay





In the drink!

Ever changing, forgoteen by the rest of Auckland. It was once the place to be on a Sunday afternnon, until the sewage and later the motorway cast their black spells.

This brunch was wicked and wonderful!

Yesterday I took Perdy for her first really long drive. I have some good friends living in Pirongia, a beautiful little village under the lee of an equally magic mountain by the same name.

The journey took about two hours so I took Perdy for a run at her usual place don at Onehunga Bay. She seemed to sense something was different. Maybe she saw me loading up a few supplies for her; water, food and more protective blankets and towels than usual. (In case she had a little accident in the back seat).

Short run around turned into a longer one when she decided that getting Back in the car would be on her terms--- the bitch!--- it took me ten minutes to coax her in, and then it was lonely on her terms.

We continued our drive into the misty Waikato. Perdy was constantly on watch, barking at me in an attempt to discuss the issues of the day. You see, we were listening to ZB talkback and Perdy is quite an opinionated doggie. I don’t know where she gets this trait.

I stopped at Ngaruawahia and shared a pie with her. Well, actually, I dropped it and she pounced on it. Just as well, considering what was coming our way on the farmlet.

Back on the road again and Perdy settled in to a side to side traversing of the back seat as she checked out the different vistas on offer. She just loved observing the cows in the fields, chomping away on their hay. We arrived at the destination and she was out in a jiffy and the cheeky little bugger ran straight into the warm and welcoming home. She said hi and then explored the house, without even asking. It was then a quick walk around the section, peeing as needed and then back in the car for a short drive to a wonderful lake.

I was informed that I could not let her loose at this lake in the summer. Many dogs have died from toxic algae that kill instantly any dog drinking the water. All this in Green NZ--- yeah right. It may be that the ‘run-off’ from fertilizing our green and wonderful farms has caused this. Thank God, it wasn’t present in the winter.

Now, back to the farmlet and into a huge brunch, much of it produced on the said farmlet---- The sausages and eggs for a start. Wow--- the usages were to die for (and when you look at the picture, you will see why--- that’s of the bloody picture loads). They were nearly 100% lamb meat. The bacon was locally processed and the veggies most definitely had no carbon footprint. Who needed toast with that lot?

Perdy had her share and more when it came to coaxing her into leaving. It seems that she likes this little farmlet. She has her eyes on the multi coloured sheep. The sheep were sort of more goat-like than sheep. They are a Persian variety and very pretty--- very similar in colouring to Perdy--- No wonder she liked them---well she did--- she and my friends were eating their coussies!--- Sorry vegetarians--- don’t you dare go writing letters dot the editor--- Me!

After a relaxing time and another spin around the garden with the compulsory peeing, Perdy was captured and we were back on the road. This time, Perdy decided that napping was the thing to do. Before we knew it, we were back on the Southern Motorway. I decided to let Perdy have a stretch back at the bay--- just a short one before arriving home. Dinner--- more sausages of course. Dinner for the next night--- why not--- curried sausages!

It's OK--- I didn't eat it all!

Tourists!-- our roads can be dangerous!

It is always sad when people die on our roads, be they locals or tourists. Many die as a result of stupid decisions, like speeding, drinking alcohol and consuming other illegal substances.

In the last year we have also witnessed many tourists dying on our roads, nearly always in the countryside. Many of these deaths could have been avoided. That these people come to enjoy our wonderful scenery and people is great. We welcome them with open hearts and yes there is a financial gain for us. We do not want them crashing their cars and minibuses on our roads; ending what should have been a holiday of a lifetime so often ends up as taking their lives. Whys is this?

Our country has a typography that makes road construction expensive and maintaining these roads also has a high cost. With our small population that makes it harder to raise the taxes to pay for the safe and enduring construction of these roads. New Zealanders are used to these roads (although they also manage to meet untimely deaths when their wits are otherwise engaged!) and for the most part are ready for the challenges that narrow, winding roads present. We know to adjust our speed and driving approach to such roads. Indeed the road toll has been going down for many years as NZers become more responsible and attune themselves to the roads in NZ.

This trend for fewer deaths amongst NZers is not matched by our tourist friends. They happily rent campervans and cars and increasingly they are heading out without adapting their driving to the new conditions they face. Some are from countries where Autobahns have much higher speeding limits and should I say it, populations who  we are told have a more responsible approach to driving and text for the right to drive are more stringent. Car ownership may also be less for the citizens of such countries.

Tourists may also come from countries where they drive on the other side of the road. In NZ we drive on the left (our cars are right hand drive). Perhaps at that ‘crucial’ moment, they are distracted and veer onto the other side of the road and meet either a steep bank or an oncoming vehicle; either another car or a huge logging truck. We share our country roads with large trucks, taking our exports to the ports around NZ. (I must say that getting rid of rail, lines is a stupid move in light of the these tragic deaths) On windy in our rural areas this is a potent mix and one that drivers must be constantly aware of.

How much information is given to our tourists by rental companies?  I would hate to think that they are simply given the keys, denuded of their money and set on their way. Somehow, I think that my description may well be the norm. Do we have to wait for the Government to legislate to make ‘informing torsions (and others) of the perils of NZ’s roads. Apart from the moral obligation to do so, is there not a ‘financial’ impetus to keep our visitors safe. NZ is quite unique in that it provides a free Accident Compensation system for visitors, whereby they do not incur any costs when they meet with an accident (or a large truck!), both for their medical care and for their rehabilitation. Surely keeping them safe would be more beneficial to us than paying out millions in healthcare and rehab.

Let’s address this problem and save lives and keep our national wealth in our pockets.