Weekend social 08/02/2013

Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, February 8th, 2013 - 47 comments
Categories: weekend social - Tags:

Christmas truce 1914Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever.

No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?

47 comments on “Weekend social 08/02/2013 ”

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  1. Anakereiti 1
    8 February 2013 at 2:14 pm

    reading, work and hopefully more reading. Dogs probably enjoy a swim in the river, as long its not polluted with chch faecal matter lol

  2. TheContrarian 2
    8 February 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Having a braai tonight, got a valuer coming tomorrow to look at a bunch of old books I inherited followed by dinner with the in-laws.

    Somewhere in between I’ll fit in some boozing, socialising and shenanigans.

  3. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 3
    8 February 2013 at 2:35 pm

    I am MCing a wedding. Advice welcome.

  4. Ennui in Requiem 4
    8 February 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Theres actually been a fresh (flood) through the rivers so it should all be good for trout. With any luck the slimy algae will have been washed out and the fish back on the rise.

    Going to track down some of the guerrilla plantings around the long acre, good long walk.

    Hows Annes budgies?

    • Anne 4.1
      8 February 2013 at 3:26 pm

      That was a well timed pop-in to TS.

      Installed a couple more dangly toys for the kids to play with and the idiots were too scared to go near them for a few days. The mirror/bell I installed has been taken over by an aqua coloured oldie who thinks he’s found a new mate – just like him too. (His old one kicked the bucket before Xmas.) Apart from that they get a bit snarky with one another in this heat so I give them a light spray once or twice a day. They seem to like it. Spoilt brats.

      How are the chooks?

      • Ennui in Requiem 4.1.1
        8 February 2013 at 3:54 pm

        Two moulting which is very early but good as they should be back on the lay in autumn. Also gave them a mirror, Madame Vain stands there admiring herself (she is pretty damned admirable).

  5. Rosie 5
    8 February 2013 at 3:59 pm

    Hi Birdie people, E In R and Anne. Do you know about the life cycle and habits of plain old mallard ducks?

    A breeding pair came into my garden late winter last year and stayed until about November. They had a nest somewhere else and had some babies. Every day Mrs Duck would bring her babies into the garden and stay all day. I provided water and poultry food. Mrs Duck took off as soon as the babies were old enough to defend themesleves and Mr Duck hung around for some time after. Eventually the babies grew up and learnt to fly and gradually they stopped visiting so much. One day they left for good.

    I miss them. Will they come back?

    I’ve googled their habits but haven’t found the right information.

    • Anne 5.1
      8 February 2013 at 4:24 pm

      I think there’s every chance they will return next spring with a new batch of chicks. That’s if they survive the winter. Sounds like you’re an easy touch so they won’t forget. 🙂
      Birds are more clued up than they’re given credit for.

      • Anne 5.1.1
        8 February 2013 at 4:34 pm

        Oh, and in subsequent Springs, the chicks will probably return with their chicks and before you know it you’ll have a backyard full of Mallard ducks. Good Luck. 😼

    • joe90 5.2
      8 February 2013 at 4:26 pm

      For better google results Rosie use the zoological name: Anas Platyrhynchos

      • Rosie 5.3.1
        8 February 2013 at 5:13 pm

        Thanks Joe90 and Anne for your thoughts, suggestions and the fascinating article about the robins ability to see magnetic fields. I do hope the ducks survive winter but I also hope they survive duck shooting season too, when ever that is.

        Our ducks, despite being nervous of humans didn’t take long to learn to respond to their individual names, using food as a training tool of course. Despite looking all exactly alike you could pick them out for their specific personalities and behaviours, and they were distinctivly different.

        The intelligence, ability to communicate and emotional sensitivity of animals is greatly underestimated by humans in my opinion.

        • Anne 5.3.1.1
          8 February 2013 at 6:42 pm

          The intelligence, ability to communicate and emotional sensitivity of animals is greatly underestimated by humans in my opinion.

          They certainly are underestimated. That is why I consider people who are cruel to animals and birds to be the lowest form of humanity. In fact as far as I’m concerned they’re not human. They’re vermin.

          • Rosie 5.3.1.1.1
            9 February 2013 at 6:27 pm

            Anne, I can’t start on the topic of animal cruelty otherwise I will never stop! All I will say is that it happens all over NZ, from the family home right through to the factory farms, and begins with neglect through plain ignorance of animal care and well being to intentional harm. Knowing that there are dedicated people willing to help and sanctuaries for rescued animals to live in safety just buffers the reality a bit.
            These folks here do alot to help and are lovely to deal with if you ever need their help
            (and live in the area)
            http://www.huha.org.nz/index.html

            • Anne 5.3.1.1.1.1
              9 February 2013 at 6:50 pm

              Thanks Rosie.
              I will bear them in mind. I’ve had occasion in the past to report former neighbours to the SPCA. One incident was particularly distressing and I discovered it too late to save the little spanial’s life. They left it tied up in an old shed and went away on holiday – no food or water. Fortunately there are no neighbours like that in my vicinity any more. I can’t read about cruelty or watch it on TV which might seem a bit cowardly, but when you’ve confronted it in real life (including a family member I’m sad to say) then it just brings back unpleasant memories.

              • Rosie …
                9 February 2013 at 9:11 pm

                Thats really sad about the spanial. Also it must have been difficult and upsetting having to deal with a family member who was responsible for animal cruelty. I understand your need to avoid news of cruelty cases – you know enough of it already. Like you, I’ve witnessed it, worked with the authorities, and have had to deal with it far too often. A headline is enough to let me know that we still have a long way to go before we become more educated and respectful towards our fellow animals.

                Great though to read your posts about your birdie friends and to read E in R’s posts about the chooks….A relative of mine was an ornithologist and one of NZ’s early conservationists so I have a soft spot for birds,even the ones considered to be a bit ordinary. After all, they the ones we interact with most often.
                Kia Ora.

                • Anne …
                  9 February 2013 at 10:02 pm

                  That relative wasn’t Dr.Orbell by any chance?

                  • Rosie …
                    10 February 2013 at 11:57 am

                    No, not Dr Orbell. Ross McKenzie. He was the author of “In search of birds in New Zealand, how and where to find them” published in 1972, and also had a lot to do with the Ornithological Society of NZ.
                    (I don’t carry his surname so am ok with naming relatives here:-) )

    • Ennui in Requiem 5.4
      8 February 2013 at 6:46 pm

      You have been blessed, lucky thing. I am not up on ducks except to say they have very habitual nesting areas, so I suspect that realising your place is safe they will return again.

  6. Andy-Roo 6
    8 February 2013 at 4:49 pm

    I will be writing staff appraisals.

    Fortunately I have only good things to say this year

  7. dancerwaitakere 7
    8 February 2013 at 6:08 pm

    I am hopefully not going to be stuck at Newark Airport as a snow storm engolfs the Northeast…

    Back in NZ after over a month away!

  8. Puddleglum 8
    8 February 2013 at 7:39 pm

    Entertaining my 7 year old daughter tomorrow morning – her choice; swimming, bike riding, mucking about at home pretending to be 19th century people (she loves Anne of Green Gables, the ‘Little House …’ series of books, Little Women … – never know whether I’ve got Anne, Laura or my daughter).

    Then I have to stack some firewood we’ve had delivered today, then off to celebrate my sister’s 60th birthday for dinner.

    Sunday a day of rest.

    • Scintilla 8.1
      8 February 2013 at 11:37 pm

      I’m quite impressed that yr 7 year old wants to read the classic stories! Once we got past Thomas the Bloody Tank Engine, I was lucky to get my sons into the odd Roald Dahl. I would like to have had a crack at Robinson Crusoe or Treasure Island. Loved Heidi, Anne of GG and Robinson Crusoe myself.

      I might paint patterns on my floors – wood floors in dining room. Go to the beach. …have to do a bit of study…cruisey as I can make it.

  11. Rosie 11
    9 February 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Notice for NickS. Don’t know if you got my reply to your wine querie last weekend. May have to too late and may or may not have been of help.

  12. The Pink Postman 12
    11 February 2013 at 3:31 pm

    Well a busy weekend for the Pinkies. Hair cuts Saturday morning then over to Lido Hamilton to see Lincoln ;A very long film that rushes through its so good. Well worth seeing’
    Then Sunday duty on the Labour Party stall at the Lions Market Cambridge , flogging raffle tickets to the local Tories Good Stuff!!
    Closed at 12 pm then over to the Waikato Museum to see one Xi Yao Chen playing the Gu-Zheng a Chinese stringed . Wonderful sound most talented player Home in time hear the Concert Program the Sunday Opera /
    L
    all go feet up Mpnday perhaps.

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