Brian Daniels of Whangamata recently returned from an island hopping trip to the Philippines. "The general mode of transport was by ferry," he says. "So you can imagine my concern whilst travelling on one of the ferries,when I saw the brand name on the lifejackets."
Speeding ticket sours taste for Aussie wine tour
Gary of Greenlane writes: "A warning to those contemplating a driving holiday in South Australia. Months after a drive through the Barossa Valley, I received a speeding ticket for 71km/h in a 50km/h zone. The fine was an eye-watering A$769 (the equivalent in NZ is $170). Google Maps showed the offence occurred on a sparsely populated country road outside of any built-up areas. I appealed but, of course, it was denied with a stern reply and lecture on driver responsibility. The country regions around Adelaide have multiple and often poorly signposted speed zones which are heavily infested with speed cameras. Locals tell me it is because SA is broke and needs the money. Perhaps a tour of NZ's fabulous wine regions would be a much cheaper and better bet."
On Northcote's flooded footpath ...
1. "I remember walking that same path to high school when I was in my teens (I'm now 39) and, yep, it was a muddy bog back then too. At some stage or another my friends and I would slip over and end up head-to-toe in mud. If the council can't see fit to fix it after 20-odd years I wouldn't be holding out much hope for a solution any time soon. I agree with the other guy - get gumboots."
