Friday Feathered Friend
Louise Thomas has provided this weeks Friday Feathered Friend.
"Nature abhors a vacuum. The old adage has seen the white-fronted terns/tara (Sterna striata) move onto the Petone Wharf as a convenient perching spot for hawking (terning?) for fish. Such sleek birds, they turn on a dime, their brilliant white feathers catching the sun as they dive like professionals into the briny.
The old wharf, stretching almost 400m out into harbour, was closed (although a few foolhardy humans ignore the signs and climb the fence) in January for six weeks (hah!) for “urgent” repairs after the earthquakes over the New Year caused it to slump a bit in the middle. To be fair, the piles are infested with marine worms turning the ancient trunks into so much Swiss cheese and the bolts holding it all together are rustier than my first car, so it wouldn’t have taken much. Having seen a cross-section of a pile, I’m surprised it hasn’t collapsed before now. I am looking forward to it reopening though, I miss being able to walk so far out into the harbour – it’s where all the good stuff happens."
Poll: Are quality products on the decline?
Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?
Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!
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91.5% Yes
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7.8% No
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
Only the Sharpest Minds Will Get This Riddle… Are You One of Them?
I twinkle and glow, guiding paths in the snow.
I’m not the sun, moon, or star in the sky,
yet on rooftops and trees, you’ll see me up high.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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Fireworks
People keep fireworks because they are only legally available for purchase during a 4-day period each year, leading to stockpiling.