If disaster struck, what would you take with you? As part of my preparation to go to the Canary Islands in a few months to work in an area that was decimated by lava flows…
If disaster struck, what would you take with you? As part of my preparation to go to the Canary Islands in a few months to work in an area that was decimated by lava flows…
I clearly remember my last night before I moved out of home to Hamilton for the start of my university education. I was terrified and struggled to get to sleep. Having lived in the same…
Some years ago I attended a history conference in Wellington. I wasn’t and still am not a historian, but I have always enjoyed reading history and biographies. The keynote speaker was a Professor of History…
A ferocious ferret found its way into the Pirongia hotel, having escaped its owner. It promptly attacked Mrs Finch, landlady, who ran into a room and perched upon a chair for safety. The ferret then…
Police had a busy week last week – here’s how it went day by day. Monday – police attended a ram raid in Cambridge and six family harm incidents with one of them resulting in…
John Rochfort ate his evening meal with great relish at the Star Hotel, Kihikihi. It was early March 1893 and the 60-year-old Government surveyor had come into the township a few days previously for fresh…
“Volcano spewing smoke” is my least favourite volcano headline phrase. Why? While the term ‘spewing’ is not my favourite, volcanoes just do not emit smoke (excluding when hot volcanic rocks and lava flows set things…
We are a family of animal lovers. Over the years our children have had pet rats, pet mice (not my favourite), rabbits, a dog, cats and chickens. I have written before about our Maine Coon…
During the Great Strike of 1913 mounted troops from the Waikato were sent to Auckland, including C squadron from Te Awamutu. The troops comprised men who were enrolled from rural areas as special constables. They…
I love a good action movie, and if they have an eruption or some other geological disaster as a plot line I am in. With field work at Mount Doom (Ngāuruhoe) last week and making…
