Sideswipe: Late check-in

Clever photography angle by Rud Ward from Wellington. Photo / Supplied

Keeping New Zealand green

On Wednesday, while near the new Novotel at Auckland Airport, Robert Densem spotted a maintenance worker spraying the lawn with a lurid green dye. "What was once lush, natural grass now looks like artificial turf. Why would you want to do that?" he asks, gobsmacked.

Never too old for jury service

"My friend Beryl Baguley received a jury summons," writes Peter Thomson. "It created a bit of mirth around as Beryl is now 102. She and her sister are the oldest identical twins in New Zealand, and the fourth-oldest in the world. The crazy thing is her birth date was clearly stated on the three-page summons ... appended is a letter back from the court excusing her from jury service but saying, 'You may be summoned again in the future to be a juror'. What a laugh."

Wanchor message misses target

An Australian road safety campaign that labels drink-drivers "wankers" will fall on deaf ears, a psychology expert says. Matemorphosis, a Motor Accident Commission campaign, is aimed at getting young men to speak up when their mates are driving dangerously. By using pictures of the letter "W" and an anchor to depict drink-drivers as "wankers", and a door handle referring to unsafe drivers as "knobs", the TV spot is trying to connect with younger drivers. University of South Australia professor Drew Dawson said. "Most of the people here in the age group didn't get the W and the anchor." (Source: Adelaide Now)

Fast trip to Wellington

Scott Williams was intrigued by the GeoSmart distance and time calculator at the back of the NZ Motor Caravan Association calendar 2011/12. "According to this it takes 5hrs and 16mins to drive from Auckland to Hamilton, 10hrs and 47mins for Auckland to Kaitaia but only 5hrs and 30mins to Cape Reinga. I would be very interested to know what route they were driving! A very fast trip from Auckland to Wellington, though - 2hrs and 43mins."

Sign of the times

Jack Stanton writes: "The sign of incompetence, part 2. The position of the tree (on Mercari Way, Albany) is unfortunate, but what do you think they'll do to fix it? The options are: a) Cut down a healthy tree or, b) just move the sign 5m. I bet the typical Kiwi blockhead solution will be to raze the tree to the ground to ensure we can see all the lovely road signs."

Plonking sounds more fun

Jenny of Motueka writes: "Thought you might like to know about the latest craze ... 'Plonking'. You plonk yourself down on a deck lounger with a glass of plonk and get someone to take your photograph."