RobiNZ Personal Blog

Over a century, and about a week, of memorials...

It's ANZAC day today and my Great Grandfather, Ernest Bock, was one of so many who went to war and didn't come back. On Saturday I attended the celebration of Paul Rodler’s life. A work colleague, friend, who drove to work on Monday 17th April and, after a tragic road collision, didn't come back. Although we both left TWG a few years ago still used to catch up occasionally. Last time, in early Feb, he gave me heaps (as was his style) for turning up to dinner on a bicycle, on my work bike/train commute, even more so when I... Read more →

Vale Alfie

Had my last walk with Alfie this morning and a bit annoyed I didn't take any photos. No different to all the others, sniffed all the usual places, played with a couple of dogs in the park, walked home. He was fine until this evening when started panting heavily and died on the way to the emergency vet in his Mum's arms. He had a minor heart condition, diagnosed as normal for a dog of his age (12) and not yet needing treatment at check-up two weeks ago, but died suddenly of a heart attack. Glad it was quick and... Read more →

Alfie bails out of the local park walk | COVID-19

The, now, normal COVID-19 local park walk (below) was aborted yesterday. On the Parrs Park through road, near the school classrooms, Alfie just flat out refused to go any further. All four paws locked up, legs scrabbling into reverse, 180 degree turn, tail down, ears back ‘out of here’ mode. A second attempt, same result The park was really quiet, nothing different to the last decade we’ve done this walk (albeit usually as part of a much longer one) other than a rather ominous cloud overhead. I wonder if he heard thunder (I didn’t) but whatever, today it was back... Read more →

Alfie is (un)dressed for summer

Before: After; awesome Summer Trim Groom (+ bonus bandana) by Asuka @ Carevets Glen Eden Read more →

Armistice 1918, a view from 2018

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns fell silent along the Western Front. The First World War had effectively ended. In addition to permanent memorials these Fields of Remembrance in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin commemorate this important centenary and honour the New Zealanders who served in a conflict which touched every community. Below, just some of the 18,277 crosses in the Auckland Domain which represent every NZ soldier killed in World War One. On a sunny afternoon, in a peaceful country, a tiny mind can’t comprehend the reality memorials like... Read more →

ANZAC Day 2018

Today 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 Zealand Machine Gun Battalion Husband of Isabella Jane... Read more →

Alfi 1 and Alfie too

I’ve passed this Alfa Romeo parked on the roadside many times. Finally stopped and took the photo that was begging to be taken. Alfi the car, meet Alfie the dog. Read more →

Vale, Capt. John’s final flight

A couple of years ago I wrote about a relatives amazing retirement project. After a lifetime of amateur and professional flying yesterday John made his last flight. Don’t really know the details yet, beyond what was in the newspaper report, but as with all aircraft related accidents there will be a full investigation. It was a real shock and great loss to his family, friends and the Waikato aviation community. Vale Captain John, OLFLYA, you’ll be missed. Below: John in command of a Cessna Crusader twin between Matamata & Hamilton. I took this from the co-pilot seat on a flight... Read more →

Vale Cilla Black

Today’s news reports of Cilla Black’s funeral and this random Windows desktop background selection (from thousands of possible images) seem worth a mention. Although not really my generation I grew up more than aware of Cilla Black. My parents liked, and often played, her music and gave her name to our rather feisty half Persian family cat. Cilla’s (the cat) mum was a pedigree Persian owned by our neighbours. Planned breeding with other pedigree mates mostly failed but she but was happy to hook up with passing strays. The result was a number of pretty half Persian/half unknown, and it... Read more →

Chihuahuas can rampage?

This news article about stray dogs in Arizona got my attention. You might doubt how stroppy a little Chihuahua can be? Meet Alfie, pictured below latched onto his favourite toy, in defence mode. He’s a Chion, Chihuahua & Papillion mix, so can at least half rampage! Chihuahuas Rampage in Arizona - ABC News Chihuahuas are on the loose in an Arizona neighborhood and flooding animal control offices with reports of the roaming strays…. PS: I once heard an Emergency Dept. doctor on a podcast say that while big dogs get all the headlines bites from little ones can inflict just... Read more →