Sideswipe

The Manorburn Dam during a cold snap last winter.

Brian Matthews writes: "During a cold snap last winter, the Manorburn Dam near Alexandra froze over for several days. Some locals took the opportunity to skate and the curling club was able to meet. A group of off-road walkers were returning from one of their weekly hikes and found what appeared to be an abandoned car on the ice. Nearby were two rather shame-faced teenagers who admitted they had intended to take the "paddock basher" for a spin on the ice. A "paddock basher" is a bargain-priced car bought for off-roading on the farm. The two young men's courage failed a short distance from the bank ... They used their cell phone to call for help and shortly afterward a friend arrived to pick them up ... It is not uncommon for cars to be abandoned further out on the ice with all identification removed and allowed to sink to the bottom when a thaw sets in."

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Roslyn Bourke of Kohimarama writes: "This year on Pink Ribbon Day, I decided to contribute by taking a few hours' leave from my full-time employment and collect in Parnell Rd. Most people were generous both financially and in spirit. But not all ... To the middle-aged fellow who suggested that we (as in women) should instead be collecting for prostate cancer, I suggest you (as in men) should take responsibility for your own health, and maybe you'll learn how to pour the milk on your Weetbix as well."

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The grass roof on a new environmentally friendly Government building in Scotland will cost £5000 ($14,330) every time it needs mowing. The Scottish Natural Heritage HQ includes a roof garden, but health and safety regulations have sent the maintenance cost soaring. The regulations say scaffolding and other safety measures must be installed when people are working above ground. One scaffolding firm tendered an estimate in the region of £5000. Local councillor Jimmy MacDonald said: "It seems the extra costs to cut the grass will make this building not as eco-friendly as first believed." (Source: The Daily Record)

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A reader writes: "There is a car around the eastern suburbs that always cheers me up when I spot it. The number is BAA BA, and the vehicle is a black Jeep."

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Where there's smoke ... Lunchtime crowds scrambling to clear the way for blaring sirens in central Auckland may have been hard-pushed to see the fire for the smoke. The smoke from the fire engine, that is, or at least the dirty black cloud which billowed from its exhaust late last week as it roared across the Albert St-Victoria St intersection to an emergency. That will have to change by Friday, when new Government rules come into force, adding a rudimentary visible smoke test to vehicle warrant or certificate of fitness checks.