First world - and free

I like cheap.

I like fast.

I like free even better.

I like fast and free best of all.

I like Orcon's hotspot at the Richmond Mall a lot.

My best friend

I like Steve Fullmer.










He's a brilliant potter, a really nice guy and he lets me watch the All Blacks on his plasma TV.
Even at 4 o'clock in the morning.

But I think I like his wife Robyn even better.




She makes me whitebait fritters while I'm watching the All Blacks on Steve's plasma TV.






To be honest, there's no contest.

Sorry, Steve.

Doddery unmasked

It wasn't difficult to spot him.













Propping up his shovel on the side of the road, sporting a nifty digital camera and keeping an eye out for the next photo op, while the rest of his crew slaved away, patching up State Highway 3 in a very professional manner. So it's no wonder that he cuts such a fine figure.

I'd have expected a more weather-worn character, but it just shows how wrong you can be. But his mates had the highway well up to scratch for our inspection - some token rock falls , the Awakino river nicely viscous as it transported a few up-country farms down to the Tasman somewhat earlier and more rapidly than their owners had anticipated and a goodly-sized washout.

Given the advanced notice, I thought they could have arranged a decent slip , though.