Rants & Raves: Visual pollution

Photo / NZME.

Rant

We are in your beautiful country for a holiday and have spent the first month with friends in the Waikato, travelling to various towns and sightseeing in this region. Driving through the countryside, we can't help noticing the visual pollution of advertising signs on a lot of the driveway entrances to farms. These signs detract from the enjoyment of driving through such wonderful scenery.

Trish and Mike

Rave

Thank you, Taren, who stopped to pick us up at a Jervois Rd bus stop. Taren asked us if we were going to the Anzac Dawn Parade and when we said yes, she invited us to ride with her. She also stopped and invited two others at the next bus stop. When asked if she had heard a radio request to pick up people as the buses were held up, she replied, no, as her car radio was not on. What a caring, thoughtful young woman.

Noelene & Ray

Rant

At night last week travelling home via the motorway, I looked at the lovely big sign on top of the motorway before Western Springs off-ramp. It's great that it tells you there are road works ahead (road works have been going on for some time now). But it fails to tell you that the Waterview exit is not available. This would be more informative than telling you something you know.

Rave

Because of wharf repairs the commuter ferries are forced to use a different wharf for passengers to embark and disembark. Due to the tides, sometimes the gangway can be at an almost 45-degree angle, so the elderly and disabled (and women in high heels) can find it difficult to board. I observed a Fullers Ferries employee - I believe his name is Chris - consistently going that extra mile to assist everyone who needed assistance, before they asked. The AT Hop machine is on the opposite side of the wharf from the departing ferry and I saw Chris tag on the card of a passenger (who had a walking stick and would have missed the ferry if Chris had not done this) and run back and return it to him.

Lewis

Rant

I really wish restaurants and cafes did not put sugar in all its forms into food without informing their customers. Today, I ordered a cappuccino with cinnamon, only to find it came with sugar added to the cinnamon. The chef's justification was that the cinnamon was too bitter. I like the taste of cinnamon. I am also a type-one diabetic on insulin. Even the slightest amount of sugar can send my blood sugar soaring. Whatever happened to plain, tasty, fresh food.

Sandy

Rave

I do a fair amount of tramping with my two boys and am constantly impressed by the quality of tracks maintained by the Department of Conservation. At the weekend, we did one on the edge of National Park and, as always, there were clear signs, boardwalks and stairs in places and clean toilets. Thanks for all your hard work.

Trina L

Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - and what needs to change. Email rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz.