Sideswipe: What are we scrambling for?

Hardly enough for a scramble, says a reader. Photo / Supplied

Train-crossing folly

Natalie Snowden writes: "Here's a 'social experiment' I witnessed yesterday morning. One of the train barrier arms on Charles St, Kingsland was out of action (and clearly signposted as such). As I queued for three trains to pass - alerted by flashing lights, warning bells and the other barrier arm being down - I counted seven vehicles and two pedestrians blithely jumping the queue and going around the barrier to cross. People obviously value the 10 minutes they sit in traffic more highly than their safety. Either that or it is natural selection ..."

Following the lead

Monique Hamlin has had a similar experience of being followed by another car.

"I actually broke into a sweat as the guy behind me tried to wave me down and followed me relentlessly as I broke all land-speed records trying to escape. When I finally ditched him and got home I discovered the power lead to the fan I had in the boot of my car was trailing on the ground behind my car and he was only trying to let me know. Must have thought I was a right old nut case."

Premier camping

Freedom camping is everywhere - even Marine Parade, Mt Maunganui, which Bill says is "one of the most expensive properties in the BOP, where rates are around $5000-plus".

Welsh connection

Many readers wrote in to politely point out that Katherine Jenkins is Welsh, not Irish. Some were not so polite; you know who you are. Really it was just a silly mistake (I am not an "ignorant bitch" as one Welshman suggested, nor did I deserve the tongue-lashing from a riled music fan). I simply read the Belfast Telegraph story and then, although I knew she was Welsh, I wrote Irish. Anyway, apologies to the well mannered readers who put me right.