http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/All things Kiwi.....news, opinions, gossip, general rant.....en-NZhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/fe/c0af3f15a5062306326eaf12fde17e_160x200.jpg <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=439603"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/603/439603_fe7d18bbca_m.jpg" align="" alt="Russell%20Crowe_fiori_005" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I was born and raised in the same suburb as Rusty (Mt Roskill), and I teach at his old grammar school. I remember when he was known as 'Russ le Roq' and was in a local production of "The Rocky Horror Show". But that is about the extent of our commonality. However I still remember the thrill when, as "The Gladiator", he urged his troops to "give them hill!" as his good old Kiwi vowels leaked through the Brit accent he used in that film. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/25/russell_crowe~672883/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/25/russell_crowe~672883/Sat, 25 Mar 2006 03:54:04 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=434035"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/035/434035_96e21ac773_m.jpg" align="" alt="Rangitoto" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Rangitoto (Fire in the Sky in Maori) is an Auckland icon - like Big Ben is to London or the Golden Gate to San Francisco. I love painting it because it is a perfect conical shape and it is the same no matter which direction you view it. It is visible from most parts of Auckland and it stands guard just outside the harbour. I painted this about 10 years ago. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/22/rangitoto~665532/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/22/rangitoto~665532/Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:14:16 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=433469"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/469/433469_448dc509e7_m.jpg" align="" alt="Lake Taupo and Crater Lake" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>These crater lakes are right in the middle of the North Is. The one in the foreground (called appropriately 'Crater Lake') is boiling water and still erupts from time to time. The last time was a few years ago. The one in the distance is Lake Taupo which is a very large cold water lake full of trout. When it erupted thousands of years ago the ash spread to the Northern Hemisphere - it was a very big bang! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/crater_lakes~664808/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/crater_lakes~664808/Tue, 21 Mar 2006 20:44:04 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423231"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/231/423231_73da05b9fe_m.jpg" align="" alt="Bay of Is" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>There are hundreds of little islands dotted around NZ's coastline. You can buy one - they're not that expensive. As islands go. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/your_own_private_island~659556/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/your_own_private_island~659556/Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:35:54 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423230"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/230/423230_d0036fc452_m.jpg" align="" alt="cathedral" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Name says it all really. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/cathedral_cove~659555/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/cathedral_cove~659555/Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:32:56 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423234"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/234/423234_6d6fafc8ba_m.jpg" align="" alt="Milford%20Sound%2004" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This is in a part of NZ called Fiordland - for obvious reasons. It's at the very bottom of the South Is. Mitre Peak is the point wreathed in cloud. It is a mysterious, magical place - wild and beautiful. Untouched by human activity mostly. Just an outpost at Milford where you catch a boat or helicopter to explore. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/milford_sound~656245/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/milford_sound~656245/Sat, 18 Mar 2006 22:26:53 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423233"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/233/423233_2dc9c1daea_m.jpg" align="" alt="Bay%20of%20Islands" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Last look at Bay of Islands - the sand on the east coast of the North Is is white/golden - on the west coast it's black - cool eh?<br> Golf course in the foreground - playing golf is very cheap here - about $20 - $30 a round on the public links - sometimes less. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/bay_of_islands~653959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/bay_of_islands~653959/Sat, 18 Mar 2006 06:55:56 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423229"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/229/423229_5beebb0f00_m.jpg" align="" alt="ninety-mile-beach" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Ninety Mile Beach is on the opposite side of the North Is to Paihia, but because NZ is very skinny at this point it's just a short drive. The iron sand is black like this all down the west coast of the North Is. A big Japanese company wanted to come in and mine it for the ore but of course we said no way! When I was a kid we used to take a magnet to the beach and play with the iron sand - very cool! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/ninety_mile_beach~650814/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/ninety_mile_beach~650814/Fri, 17 Mar 2006 07:44:28 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=423232"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/232/423232_3ee6a8e265_m.jpg" align="" alt="Paihia" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Paihia in the Bay of Islands is 3 hours north of Auckland. It's a stunning place - still unspoiled with dozens of jewel-like islands dotted in the clear blue sea.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/paihia_bay_of_islands~650806/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/paihia_bay_of_islands~650806/Fri, 17 Mar 2006 07:39:48 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=421843"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/843/421843_536a334134_m.jpg" align="" alt="NZ%20sheep" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Can't not have some sheep now can we? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/nz_sheep~648259/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/nz_sheep~648259/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:39:10 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=421765"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/765/421765_81337c919e_m.jpg" align="" alt="lewis%20pass_1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This looks like something from an old cowboy movie - but it's in the Southern Alps of NZ. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/lewis_pass~648163/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/lewis_pass~648163/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:05:09 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=421585"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/585/421585_ccfcc6f7e0_m.jpg" align="" alt="akaroa%20harbour" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Akaroa is a quaint French settlement near Christchurch in the South Is. It was France's base for colonising NZ but they procrastinated and the Brits beat them to it! It enjoys the legacy of great food and a certain je ne sais quoi! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/akaroa_harbour~647964/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/akaroa_harbour~647964/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 09:48:03 +0100 <p>They've changed the system. I have spent ages trying to post some pics but when I say "Blog This" it doesn't! No code comes upin my post-edit screen. I'll keep trying but......</p> <p>I just did it but lost them all when I went to save - grrrrr!</p> <p>Will try again later! XXX</p> <p>Later..... Yay - it works!!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/i_can_t_get_my_pics_to_post~647577/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/i_can_t_get_my_pics_to_post~647577/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:56:27 +0100 <p>Christmas, New Year and other stuff have kept me busy but now I'm back for 2006! HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I hope 2006 will be wonderful for you! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/01/31/i_m_back~521444/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2006/01/31/i_m_back~521444/Tue, 31 Jan 2006 04:56:45 +0100 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Coromandel.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Coromandel_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is a beach on the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Is. The Coromandel has for the last 40yrs been the alternative life-styler's haven. It's gentrifying now but it retains a slightly hippie ambience. It is also a little wild and very beautiful. About 2hrs drive from Auckland so lots of us weekend there.</p> <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Coromandellavendar.JPG" border="0" alt=""><br> Farmland at the base of the Coromandel Penninsula. The NZ climate has been likened to the south of France so we grow great wines, olives, lavender, fruit and veg.</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Westhaven.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Westhaven_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is Auckland - "The City of Sails". It is one of the largest cities in area in the world - same size as LA but it only has a population of 1 million. So you will figure that we all have large gardens! All houses are detached - even lower end of the range. Apartment living has begun but for students mostly.<br> You can bungy off the Skytower - the hypodermic needle-shaped thing dominating the skyline - and also off the Harbour Bridge. It's a real rush!</p> <p>There's more photos on my other blogs too - I seem to be going through a very jingoistic phase!? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/16/new_zealand_it_s_a_beautiful_world~237157/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/16/new_zealand_it_s_a_beautiful_world~237157/Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:44:24 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Frying-Pan-lake.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Frying-Pan-lake_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is Frying Pan Lake just outside Rotorua. It's the largest hot lake in the world. The temp is about 50 degs Celsius on the surface and it is 50 metres deep. The area in the middle of the North Is is full of volcanic activity like this - it's wild!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Hot-Water.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Hot-Water_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> On the Coromandel Peninsula there is a beach called Hot Water Beach - you pick a nice bit of sand and dig a hole for yourself. Hot sea water fills it up from underneath and you sit in it drinking wine and watching the sun set. A natural free hot jacuzzi!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Inferno-Crater.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Inferno-Crater_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is called Inferno Crater. It is also in the central North Is. The water is very hot and looks milky because of all the minerals in it. Very good for your skin and any aches and pains. At the bottom of the lake the water is boiling due to volcanic vents, but by the time it reaches the surface it's cooled down a bit. It smells like sulfur. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/14/it_s_a_wild_world_new_zealand~233603/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/14/it_s_a_wild_world_new_zealand~233603/Fri, 14 Oct 2005 06:00:27 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Abel-Tasman.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Abel-Tasman_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is Abel Tasman National Park - a natural wonderland. With lots of little bays and beaches you can camp on and never see another person!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Canterbury-Plains.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Canterbury-Plains_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> These are the Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps in the background. </p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Bay-of-Is.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Bay-of-Is_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is one of hundreds of small islands in the Bay of Islands up in the Winterless North of the North Is. You can buy one and live on it if it takes your fancy! Plenty of fish and shellfish to eat, endless sunshine - you can do a Crusoe!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/ruapehuerupt.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/ruapehuerupt_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is Ruapehu erupting. It went on for weeks like this but bigger. The whole sky was filled with rolling grey ash and the land for hundreds of miles around was covered. It was a scary-beautiful sight. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/13/new_zealand_it_s_a_beautiful_world~231474/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/13/new_zealand_it_s_a_beautiful_world~231474/Thu, 13 Oct 2005 03:23:42 +0200 <p>Click on photos to enlarge.........<br> <a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Taranaki.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Taranaki_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is Mt Taranaki - it's a perfect cone - looks like Mt Fuji</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-Ruapehu.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-Ruapehu_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> Mt Ruapehu - it erupted a few years ago and ruined the skiing season - but what a sight it was!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-Cook-Lk-Pukaki_01.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-Cook-Lk-Pukaki_01_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> This is our highest - Aorangi (The Cloud-piercer) Mt Cook. The lake really is that colour!</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-20Cook-20sunset.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Mt-20Cook-20sunset_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> Aorangi again at sunset. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/10/new_zealand_mountains_it_s_a_beautiful_w~225818/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/10/new_zealand_mountains_it_s_a_beautiful_w~225818/Mon, 10 Oct 2005 03:59:24 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/90milebch.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/90milebch_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> Sunset at Ninety Mile Beach, Northland, NZ</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/NZ.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/NZ_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> "Middle Earth" South Is NZ</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Milford-Sound.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Milford-Sound_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> Milford Sound, South Is, NZ </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/09/it_s_a_beautiful_world_nz~224140/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/10/09/it_s_a_beautiful_world_nz~224140/Sun, 09 Oct 2005 08:37:02 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Rivercrop.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Rivercrop_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Polar-Wolfcrop.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Polar-Wolfcrop_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Lioness-and-cubcrop.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Lioness-and-cubcrop_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>CLICK ON PHOTO TO GET BIGGER PIC! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/25/it_s_a_beautiful_world~199713/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/25/it_s_a_beautiful_world~199713/Sun, 25 Sep 2005 05:27:35 +0200 <p>Thanks to Michael St Mark (http://thebogblog.blog.co.uk) for the inspiration!</p> <p>This loo is in the north of the North Is in NZ - created by a local artist - and it is a work of art! It reminds me of Gaudi's work? V organic!<br> <a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/kawakawa_toilet.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/kawakawa_toilet_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/golden7.jpeg" border="0" alt=""></p> <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/sm_x20021218-03h20m45s-B.jpeg" border="0" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/24/kawa_kawa_loo~198196/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/24/kawa_kawa_loo~198196/Sat, 24 Sep 2005 05:51:07 +0200 <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/_ID-3-7-kelly_profile.jpeg" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>Kelly Slater DID win the last comp at Trestles in California. Now<br> it's the next leg of the world tour - this time in France - there's the link to the webcast. The time difference is good for you in the UK. </p> <p><a href="http://2005.profrance.quiksilver-europe.com/?CC=en&RID=home">http://2005.profrance.quiksilver-europe.com/?CC=en&RID=home</a></p> <p>Check it out - it's a blast!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/24/quikkie_pro_france~198170/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/24/quikkie_pro_france~198170/Sat, 24 Sep 2005 04:51:46 +0200 <p>I have been notified that there is someone in this community (I know who and it's not one of my friends), who is using my name and login to post semi-pornographic comments. This is NOT me. I have reported it, but if you see any puerile, disgusting, or otherwise offensive comments on any blogs with my name and photo attached please delete them if you can, or ignore them if you can't.</p> <p>Some people lack the maturity to handle the freedom the net allows. It's probably a twelve-year-old with a warped sense of humour masquerading as an adult but it's irritating nevertheless. If he can do it to me - he can do it to you.</p> <p>I'll get off my soapbox now. :-)) Thanks everyone.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/20/false_blogs_and_false_comments~191240/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/20/false_blogs_and_false_comments~191240/Tue, 20 Sep 2005 06:30:36 +0200 <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/kellyslateair.jpg" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>This guy - Kelly Slater - is not wiping out - he's doing an 'air'. He will land upright on the wave and carry on surfing.</p> <p>Kelly took the moves of skateboarders and transferred them to the waves. He radically changed the way people surf - especially the pros. Essentially he invented modern surfing.</p> <p>In the old days they would ride a wave standing upright - maybe through a tube and walk up and down the board a bit. Now it's about very athletic gymnastic tricks on a much smaller board. Plus a bit of the old stuff of course.</p> <p>Kelly Slater has 6 world titles and this year will make it 7!!</p> <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Kelly_Slater3.jpg" border="0" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/16/king_kelly_slater~184058/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/16/king_kelly_slater~184058/Fri, 16 Sep 2005 02:34:26 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/co1.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/co1_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>The latest comp on the World Tour is on at Lower Trestles in California. So far the breaks have been teeny and hard to surf. Today the breaks are great but they made today an off day. ???!!!</p> <p>Check out the action at <a href="http://www.boostmobileprosurf2005.com/">http://www.boostmobileprosurf2005.com/</a> and select the live webcast. It's cool fun! Just like being there!</p> <p>The pic is not of the comp - it's tow-in surfing where the dudes ride the giants. They tow them in using jet skis and let 'em go! There's no way you could paddle out in that surf.</p> <p>But the comp is still good viewing - what those guys can do on a wave is amazing!</p> <p>Go Kelly Slater!!! Make it 7!!!! (This guy literally walks on water!) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/16/surf_s_up~184048/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/16/surf_s_up~184048/Fri, 16 Sep 2005 02:15:04 +0200 <p>Nature - even when she is destructive - is magnificent - yes?<br> <a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic00491.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic00491_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic02995.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic02995_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic03902.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic03902_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic04827.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic04827_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic05436.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/pic05436_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/08/photos_taken_just_before_katrina_hit~170333/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/08/photos_taken_just_before_katrina_hit~170333/Thu, 08 Sep 2005 23:36:58 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Storm-20Field-2030-20x-2040-20inches.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/Storm-20Field-2030-20x-2040-20inches_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>We've had so many natural disasters in the last year - all 'once in a lifetime' events. It's like the earth is saying "enough!"</p> <p>I'm beginning to think we're in for a rough ride. Maybe the end of life as we know it? Am I being paranoic? Or doomsdayist? </p> <p>Every time I watch another catastrophic disaster (manmade and natural) on the news, I wonder if we've passed the point of no return and just don't realise it yet. </p> <p>Or has it always been like this; but now we have better access to the images with improved news services etc? So we are more aware of it all?</p> <p>Waddaya think? Armageddon or same old, same old? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/global_warming~164579/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/global_warming~164579/Mon, 05 Sep 2005 23:47:58 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/StephanieGilmour.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/StephanieGilmour_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> Last March I went to the Quikie Pro at Snapper Rock on the Gold Coast - Queensland OZ. It's the first comp of the ASP world tour. </p> <p> Before the boys had their comp the girls did their thing and this local schoolgirl (Stephanie Gilmour) won against all the big name women surfers from the US and Hawaii and OZ. </p> <p>She rides at least 6 hours a day as well as going to high school. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/women_surfers_by_special_request~164553/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/women_surfers_by_special_request~164553/Mon, 05 Sep 2005 23:24:33 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwihouse/img/nz_sheep_03.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwihouse/img/nz_sheep_03_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>Smart sheep aren't so woolly after all<br> Sydney Morning Herald August 31, 2005 - 8:35PM</p> <p>(See also my story on "Animals I have known") Yes. Okay. I have a sheep fetish!</p> <p>Sheep are not renowned for their intellect, but an Australian researcher has proven they are smarter than most of us think.</p> <p>And some are smarter than others, leading scientists to believe they carry a specific "smart gene" that once identified will allow farmers to better select their livestock.</p> <p>CSIRO research scientist Dr Caroline Lee tested a group of 60 Merino sheep by putting them through a complex maze.</p> <p>Dr Lee found the sheep not only worked out how to navigate the maze but got better each time they did it.</p> <p>"We actually showed sheep were smarter than people previously thought," Dr Lee said.</p> <p>The results had dispelled the popular belief sheep were mindless animals, she said.</p> <p>In the test, individual sheep were placed at the start of the maze, which measured 18 metres by eight metres.</p> <p>Dr Lee used the sheep's strong flocking instinct, largely blamed for their brainless reputation, to entice them through the test by placing their "flockmates" in sight at the end of the maze.</p> <p>The test was done over three days and repeated after six weeks with the time taken to complete it and the number of errors made recorded for each animal.</p> <p>"We showed that sheep on average took two minutes on the first day and then they really significantly improved their time and were down to around 30 seconds on the third day," Dr Lee said.</p> <p>"In addition, we actually measured them six weeks later ... and we found that they had retained their memory and were at a similar level to the previous test."</p> <p>To show this was the result of a thought process rather than instinct, some of the sheep were given a memory-impairing drug.</p> <p>Dr Lee said the drugged sheep performed worse then their drug-free flockmates.</p> <p>But overall, some sheep were just smarter than others, she said.</p> <p>The CSIRO is currently screening 600 sheep of different breeds to determine whether they have a smart gene or genes.</p> <p>This could take up to five years, Dr Lee said.</p> <p>The ability to genetically select flocks of smart sheep was important as farming became more technological advanced, she said.</p> <p>Farmers for example now use automated scales which sheep need to walk across.</p> <p>"Smarter sheep are more able to deal with the new systems," Dr Lee said.</p> <p>© 2005 AAP</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/my_smart_sheep_claim_is_official~163156/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/my_smart_sheep_claim_is_official~163156/Mon, 05 Sep 2005 10:56:23 +0200 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/M_050904214823.jpeg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/k/kiwibird/img/M_050904214823_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>I've spent the afternoon watching the webcast of the Men's World Surf Champ Tour - the latest competition is in Japan.</p> <p>Kelly Slater looks like he'll win again! This guy is amazing! He walks on water - literally!</p> <p>Go Kelly! You are da man!</p> <p>(I know there is an uncomfortable juxtaposition with this story and the one below - sorry :-(, but it's the ASP World Tour dudes!!!!)</p> <p>PS Actually he lost the comp in the end! But I still reckon he'll take the overall championship. There's a few more comps to go - it concludes at the Pipeline in Nov 05. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/asp_tour_qiksilver_pro_japan~162990/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://kiwibird.blog.co.uk/2005/09/05/asp_tour_qiksilver_pro_japan~162990/Mon, 05 Sep 2005 07:42:12 +0200