Another trip on to NZ

We weren't going to go out to NZ again this year, and indeed we were seriously debating whether to go out to NZ at all, but a recent funeral changed all that.

My father-in-law died out in Spain and we had to get out there in a hurry, as they tend to bury them within 24 hours out there. A relative from a completely separate part of the family had flow out to be there during the latter stages of his illness and it was she who convinced us to go out and give Wellington a try - a city we briefly visited in 2001 but both disliked. She's said she'll show us around the good parts of Wellington.

I may be able to get a job with my current firm in Wellington, and it appears that house prices are slightly lower than our previous first choice city, Christchurch. The special offer currently with Air New Zealand also means we've got a flight down to Queenstown so we'll get some skiing in!

NZ Battle Honour

I took a photo at the weekend of these Battle Honours for HMS CALLIOPE, now a Royal Naval Reserve Uniton the banks of the Tyne in Newcastle. Interesting to see 'New Zealand 1846-47". Must have been during the Maori Wars. A later HMS CALLIOPE was to play a significant part in the beginnings of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Strange UK Laws

Strange UK Laws - and how they were ranked in order of ludicrousness in a pole on British TV.

1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27%)

2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British king or queen's image upside-down (7%)

3. It is illegal for a woman to be topless in Liverpool except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%)

4. Eating mince pies on Christmas Day is banned (5%)

5. If someone knocks on your door in Scotland and requires the use of your toilet, you are required to let them enter (4%)

6. In the UK a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (4%)

7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the King, and the tail of the Queen (3.5%)

8. It is illegal not to tell the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (3%)

9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour (3%)

10. It is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (2%)

Honda F1

Have a go!

For more games like this one, visit www.honda.co.uk/hondamentalism/challenge

Cerne Abbas Giant

Over the August Bank Holiday in the UK we went for a walk around the Cerne Abbas Giant. Debate rages about how old it actually is, but it certainly is impressive!

We headed East out of Cerne Abbas village, then across the fields towards the Giant.




It was a pretty steep climb up Giant Hill.



You can't see much of the Giant from the top of the hill, so we decided to head North, then across the valley floor for a better view.





The area is actively farmed.



Approaching the Giant from the North.




The final port of call was the car park at the bottom of the valley with a great view of the Giant. Homer Simpson was clearly visible, together with a stupid 'Fathers for Justice' protest.


We then return the Cerne Abbas village and had a lovely pub lunch. The Giants Tipple isn't half bad!