Sideswipe

From a 1958 barbecue cookbook: french fried wieners (on a cabbage) - an early take on a 70s favourite - the cheese and pineapple toothpicks, displayed in an orange half. (Source: copies of vintage ads can be bought by visiting Plan 59)

Moana Salmon of Devonport writes: "Travelling back home from a lovely weekend in Tauranga, my partner,7-year-old son and I decided to pull over for some fish and chips. As we entered the shop we were warmly greeted by an elderly couple who were the only other patrons. No sooner had our lunch been put in front of us when there was a nasty car accident just across the road from the shop. We immediately raced out, secured the scene, called for help, consoled the victims (thankfully no one was seriously hurt) and waited for police/ambulance. This would have taken us 10 minutes tops. When we went back to the cafe the lovely old couple had gone and you guessed it ... they had taken our untouched lunch with them!"

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Child-free planes have been mooted ... what about child-free cafes? A reader was at a cafe on busy Parnell Rd last Thursday sitting next to a mother and her baby, and a friend. "During their coffee at the end of their meal, the baby started to get grizzly, as babies who are hungry do. The manager came over and asked them to leave, as the baby was too loud. Remember this is outside, with the traffic right next to us. We were horrified, as the closest group to them, we were not disturbed at all! ... I am ashamed and upset that this mother left in tears."

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Most embarrassing moment #1: A reader writes: "This happened to me in the mid-eighties, but I still blush at the memory. I was in a supermarket in Devonport, having just returned from holiday, feeling tanned, toned, and I thought pretty sexy!! I noticed a few men smiling "at" me, which confirmed my opinion of myself. As I was going to the checkout, I saw two men at the door looking my way and laughing. I looked down and to my absolute horror one breast was totally out of my elastic top dress. I was so totally mortified I just left everything and scarpered. These days I'd probably pop it back in and get on with it."

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Oh the horror of rejection! Seen trying to gatecrash the opening of Northcote Pt newest and hottest restaurant The Engine Room were Mayor of Waitakere and the Mayor of North Shore City (along with their wives, Barbara and Myra, respectively). The two mayoral mates were out on the town and figured they would be able to get into the restaurant because of their political celebrity. Sadly it wasn't to be - they were sent across the road to "Sausalito", where they ate pizza and chips on the footpath while they watched the goings-on across the way. Apparently they do this a lot and rumour has it they travelled to Waitangi on the weekend to gate- crash all the parties there.