Sideswipe: April 13: Remembering the old tree

Yet another version of the CSI franchise, but this one sounds like a comedy.

A plaque at Victoria University where a 40-year-old oak tree once stood.

Road narrowing idea is fearful nonsense

Kathy from Bucklands Beach writes: "Does the Auckland Council have a secret agenda to reduce the population? They have been making changes to our local busy roundabouts. Kerbs have been changed and the roads narrowed with small islands funnelling the unwary pedestrian out into the oncoming vehicles at the give way point. Not only does the person have to look left and right but they need to consider those that are coming and going from multiple roads that converge on the roundabout. The road narrowing has caused long lines of backed up traffic. Who dreams up these ideas?? My new fear is that they are going to attempt the same at the Panmure roundabout. "

Traumatic start to the day

"Took my bowl of cereal to work this morning," says Lorna. "Just about to add the blueberries when, hello, it's wriggling! Pantry moth larvae ahoy. As if that weren't bad enough, I ate a bowl of the same cereal yesterday. Added protein for the win."

Cutting homophobic flyers down to size

Next month people in Ireland will vote on whether same-sex marriage should be legalised. In the lead up to the vote groups which oppose legalisation have been distributing homophobic flyers in an effort to sway voters' opinions. Luckily, a company has found a way to recycle the offensive leaflets into something useful. A Shred Of Decency is the name of a new campaign by Irish paper company Daintree. "If you receive any dishonest flyers or leaflets in the run-up to the referendum we want to recycle them into confetti," the company has said. (Source: mirror.co.uk)

Sounds like a comedy

Cool place to come back to

Dave Dearman from Papakura writes: "After living and working in Singapore we returned to New Zealand. Stepping off the plane, our 5-year-old turned to me excitedly. 'Hey, dad! This country's air-conditioned.' During our three-year stay in Singapore we would often drive to Malaysia across the Causeway Bridge. We surrendered our passports to be stamped, explaining to our three children that we were now in a different country. On our return to Auckland, we drove across the Auckland Harbour Bridge one day. Our 6-year-old daughter gazed around interestedly. 'What country are we in now, mum?' Having lived in the tropics for several years we returned to New Zealand, where we spent the first night in a motel. Our 6-year-old daughter poured herself a glass of water from the tap and said: 'Wow! this place has iced water in the taps."'

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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz