RobiNZ Personal Blog

A new bike or why is the local bike shop in trouble?

I’m not really a gear freak, as will become apparent, but decided it was time for a new bike. How hard could that be… What did I want, why? My dear (as in endearing, not expensive) old Avanti Triplo is nearly 15 years old. It was a pretty modest bike even when new, ~$1600 back then, but I still like riding it. With the Waitakere Ranges at my back door I never regretted going for a 21 (3x7) speed with ‘grannie gears’. I’m not a racer and it suited me fine but the technology has moved on in a few... Read more →

ANZAC Day 2017

Although I didn’t attend a memorial service the day does not pass without remembering those who have served, one in particular. My Mum never knew her Grandfather who died on the battlefield in the last few weeks of World War One (which ended 11th November – 1918). Although born in Australia, of German emigrants, he served for NZ where he had settled and married. He fought for King, Country and Empire against, possibly, his own distant relatives. The world is a strange place. In Memory of Private ERNEST THEODORE BOCK who died age 37 on 12 September 1918 29609, New... Read more →

Jill Perrott Manukau to Muriwai Exhibition

Excuse the rubbish photo but good to see (in the window of the local orchard) my favourite Westie Artist has an exhibition coming up. She has an amazing ability to capture the essence of this dramatic landscape. April 29 - May 28, West Coast Gallery. Piha www.jill-perrott.co.nz www.westcoastgallery.co.nz Read more →

Make an impact on Earth Day with @kiva

Tomorrow, April 22nd, is Earth Day and The March for Science. As The March for Science calls on our governments this Earth Day to face the facts, in its policy-making, a parallel movement gives you way to directly support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other climate change effects around the world. Kiva offers a simple way for everyone to make a small investment and, via targeted green projects, make a real impact. This Earth Day, lend to a project that helps curtail climate change, get repaid, repeat! Kiva.org/earthday is meaningful way for you to take action today to help... Read more →

Time for that Flu jab

Good to see so many getting the influenza vaccination at work this week. I’m reminded what harm ‘a bit of flu’ can do, when passing this memorial, walking the dog in Waikumete Cemetery. Read more →