The Crocodile and the Palm Tree
Languedoc Sun, Upcoming 2011
I squinted and could just make a crocodile and a palm tree on the sign directing us to Nimes city centre. I scratched my head, how bizarre was that? Walking around Nimes’ historic pedestrian precinct, the same crocodile and palm tree symbol was everywhere. Read full article >
Take a Pew
New Zealand Listener, 23-29 April 2011
Like to learn more about foreign cultures while on holiday? Try attending church services.
I started attending church in foreign cities after reading about Heinrich Schliemann, the discoverer ofTroy, who honed his 14 languages listening to church services. I have yet to find Schliemann’s linguistic cornucopia, but have learn a lot about foreign culture. Read full article>
Aral Sea: who pulled out the plug?
Renew, 113, October-December 2010
Our taxi dodged potholes in the bitumen strip as we crossed a plain scarred with white salt pans and scattered scrub. Past a shallow artificial lake, freshly painted, white-walled houses, their doors and gates in duck egg blue, welcomed us to Muynak, once the largest fishing port on theAral Sea. Read full article>
Government Initiatives Boost Building
Trade Leader, November 2009
Despite news of our economy’s return to growth and an improving balance of payments, work remains tight for builders. However there are many reasons to be optimistic. Read full article>
A Passion for Recycling
ReNew, 109 October – December 2009
Throughout human history recycling has been routine: worn stone axes were turned into chisels, knitwear was unravelled to be knitted anew and composting waste sustained agriculture and kitchen gardens. With industrialisation, structural imbalances between nations grew and prices were driven down. Inundated with cheap consumer goods and processed foods everyday recycling declined and societies have found themselves awash with waste material. Read full article >
Bridging the Gap
Progressive Building, February/March 2009
Humans first build a bridge when a caveman dragged a fallen tree across a stream. Since then, the art to throwing a mass of stone, steel or concrete across a body of water has fascinated us. Unlike buildings, which are just stand there, a bridge is going somewhere. Read full article >
Kiwi Dollar Down, Exports Up?
Exporter, 8, September Quarter, 2008
Exporters struggled and many closed their doors in the face of the rampant New Zealand dollar. When the Kiwi finally dipped under 70 US cents, the survivors looked over their trenches and heaved a collective sigh of relief. The press joined the chorus in headlines which read “Exporters the winners from the falling Kiwi.” You too may have offered up words of thanks in the hope that the winds of change would bring an era of export driven prosperity. Read full article >
New Rules for Home Insulation
NZ Projects, August/September 2009
We all want our homes to be warm in winter and know that heating them is a costly business. Sure the New Zealand Building Code has set minimum home insulation requirements since the 1970s, but these have still left many of us shivering in the depth of winter and not matched the insulation standards in similar western counties. Read full article >
El Corte de Pelo
Whakatane Beacon, 06 October 2007
At my age you’re lucky if your hair needs regular cutting. After six weeks away, my mane was long and uncomfortable in Seville’s summer heat. I’d kept my eyes open and identified a peluqueria off the Plaza Alfalfa.
Called Enrique, it specialised in Caos. y Ninos. Ninos were children, but I hadn’t the vaguest idea about Caos. Two elaborate, old fashioned barber’s chairs faced a mirror along one wall and a battered settee waited for customers.
Two barbers relaxed on the settee reading newspapers as I entered. One sprang up, perhaps he was Enrique.
“Neciesitas un corte de pello, es poseble?” I tried. Read full article >
