Electric trains arrive in Auckland---about time---fantastic. Mayor Brown was aboard.

Yes, the trains have finally arrived, after many years of deliberation, going right back to the days of Mayor Robbie. Today I had the pleasure of being one of the 'chosen,' (Don't go thinking I am getting above my station in life---my sister almost sat on her computer in order to score two tickets for the short ride between Britomart and Newmarket).
We left my car at the Onehunga railway station (the first of the trains will be running from there, tomorrow onwards) and joined a merry bunch of wannabe 'firsties,' so that they can say--'I was there on that auspicious occasion.' The flash new ticketing system that should dispel tickets if one does not have a HOP card didn't work as it had run out of paper, like the proverbial dunny. The nice conductor of the train we travelled on to town (Yes the old 1980's versions we purchased from Aussie--they love to give us their hand-me- downs when they aren't bowling underarm!) told us not to worry. Wow---a freebie.
Our fellow and felowess travelling companions were all in the same frame of mind as us; just happy to be out and about on a gorgeous day and ready to sample the 'travel of the future.' People 'talked to one another; no hiding behind Kindles (I wouldn't have minded if they were reading Roskill!) or newspapers. There was an air of expectancy and as we neared the delightfully lit up Britomart station in the centre of the city we all felt like we were old friends. NO---we were not all oldies. The passengers represented a great cross-section of who and what Auckland is now; kids, teens, parents and the much excited oldies, from every imaginable ethnic group. We were united in our desire to experience what we have lacked for so long in our fair 'city of sails'.
As we disembarked form the rattly old, smelly carriage, we set out eyes on the shiny new slimline train. They looked magnificent.
People took pictures and girls dressed in garish blue were giving out lollies. There was a real party atmosphere and even though we had to line up for our wrist bands, which designated when we would be travelling the short distance to Newmarket, finding out that we had more than an hour to wait, our mood stayed like that of kids waiting to open their Xmas presents.
We wandered around for that time, consuming the free food and drink before finally, we were called to the gates--well they were human gates, dressed as those bars that protect cars at railway crossings. The new small of the carriages and the long view down the entire length of the three carriages struck me straight away. The middle one was especially designed to allow easy wheelchair entry.
Once the train was underway, the first thing we noticed was the silence---what difference from the old ones. I bet the people living near the railway tracks will be happy!
As we emerged form the underground part of the journey, the driver (is that what they are called or is there a new PC name?) put his foot down. We could feel then power of the new engines and we were told that they are pretty fast by NZ standards, not that they will bet much of a chance to go much over 100 kilometres per hour as stations soon appear, making for a fast slow-down. That slowing -down process actually feeds power back into the system, making a saving of 20%.
In our part of the train, we had the privilege of the mayor's company. Earlier on we had witnessed the usual 'protestors with signs, decrying the Mayor for his recent 'transgressions.' Sorry folks, I am not one who casts stones at him---move on and yes, I know I have lost a certain sector of my readers for actually saying what I just said. To make matters worse, I had my picture taken  with my arm around him. So shoot me! He was in a great mood and I don't blame him, [plus we heard him saying that he knew about a petition from Pukekohe residents who want the service (Electric) to be extended to that big town. He said that they needed two or three more trains before that can happen, so Pukekohe people---put the pressure on!
Our short 'return' journey to New market and back was over all too quickly. We all clapped, having partaken in a little bit of 'people history,' promising ourselves to use these cool new trains in the very near future.
What a neat way of spending a day. Call us kids or whatever else you wish, especially for me getting cuddly with the Mayor, but for me-----lets do it again---the train ride that is, but a much  longer one next time!

The new ones on the left.

Can't wait to get on!

NO---it's not me!

You can see from end to end.

Cuddling up with Len Brown, the Mayor--so what---I like him!

 

 

 

 

 

Russians have given up on reading my blogs---really---or blocked!

The past month as seen no Russians reading my blogs. Am KI surprised? NO! I have been quite hard  re my ideas about him and how I see Putin's role in the Ukrainian crisis and about his increasingly anti-democratic moves plus his trying to close down all criticism of him within Russia. I have also said on several occasions that the present government in Ukraine is not representative of Ukraine as a whole. At best they are an 'interim' Government and the West must keep that position to the fore before committing recourses, military and economic, to that Government. I accept that Russia has historical sensitivity re the 'border' regions of Russia, but I do not accept Putin's response to the problem.
He regularly accuses the USA for its role in world affairs and how the latter acts on its own, often in  he face of world opinion. He is correct to stand against that action but he is doing exactly the same, with the added action of repressing his own people when they take umbrage at his governance. Putin is an enigma in some ways. Without a doubt he appeals to many Russians. Perhaps he links into that desire Russians are assumed to have about having an need for 'strong leadership.' That is part of their history and so is the 'state apparatus' that responds to  any moves against the ruling regime. Russian Governments are not 'relaxed about taking criticism, from abroad or within the nation.
My blogs are not anti-Russian, but they are asking the question about the direction Russia is being taken by their 'colourful leader.' Still, he has a way to go before he reaches the status of the 'Dear Leader' from The 'Democratic' Republic of North Korea. At least we do not laugh when we hear Putin's name.
I would love to see Russians reading my blogs and books again. I mean----I am not related to Google!

China starts to exert its historical role in the region. Is that so bad?

For decades now, the USA has acted as the 'World Police.' under the guise of 'defending democracy'. I think most of us equate that to meaning 'looking after America's interests,' or to fine tune that a little more, the interests of the few at the top of the feeding chain in then world. Allied to the aspirations of the USA are those of the world's elite, nothing more or less. The links between big business and the oligarchs of Russia and even the newly rich companies in China are well and truly a fact. The games they play out as struggles between nations are nothing more than a ruse--to keep those in  power above and beyond then law. It is the ordinary people in all nations who suffer while the 'big boys' play their games. The latter benefit from 'small regional wars;' and any boiling over into a world-wide conflagration is out of the question, because that and only that would affect the bottom line-- that of hurting the pockets of those at the top. That is the way of the world as it always has been.

Sit ins outside 'legal high' shops---Do it!

The time has come for us to line up and sit down outside 'Legal High' shops because we can not wait for more young lives to be damaged and for these creeps who so smugly sell this crap in our communities. There is a safe way to do this---make sure there are large numbers and have a few 'local rugby or league big boys' sitting with you for the 'presence'' they have. Most of the sellers are just low life cowards and leeches n the community anyway. Peter Dunne and his 'lovely' son are not going to help so it's time to take back our streets. While we are at it, turn on those criminals who 'cook' 'P' in our communities too. The answer to these problems in in our hands---the people.

Putin is lacking, in his reactions to the Ukraine crisis.

One wonders at the psyche of Putin. His sense of grievance to the 'West' is now seriously affecting the Russian economy. The Rouble is lower (Down by 8% this year) and interest rates are going up whilst he plays some sort of larger than life boys game of 'brinkmanship' with the EU and the USA. His approach screams of the old polices of the Soviet Union, a time in history that does not fit well in this new century. Listening to the Russian spokespersons on TV takes me back to the bad old days in the UN when one of their famous leaders thumped the desk. Mr Putin, do you not see that the only real loser in this situation are your beloved Russian people as your economy nose-dives? Is it worth it? You threaten to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and the EU. Do you not understand that in the long term you are doing them a favour? The vast scientific and economic resources will finally deliver policies that lead the EU towards a place where they do not depend on Russia or the Middle East for energy supplies. They will seek alternative sources and even though that will take time, the end result will be that you no longer hold the trump card you think you possess now.
Of course there may be a more sinister plan: As you gradually whittle away the freedoms of Russians (I note your latest rantings re Google and asking Russians not to use this 'CIA sponsored world control mechanism!') and prepare to take your nation back to the iron-fisted policies of your predecessors, you are of course cementing in the power you already hold.
Ordinary Russians, especially the older ones, remember the 'bad old times,' but in their minds, the certainty that a 'strong (bullying) leader and the promise of jobs, health care, age care, all tend to equip them with a tolerance of such a leadership style. Russia has never known 'democracy' and all that that represents in their history, apart from a brief period after the fall of the old Communist Party. I am not saying that democracy in its Western form is without faults, but the increasingly obvious plans you have for Russia point to a very tense time in  the future, both for Russia and the world. It seems that you are prepared to head for this chasm, caring little for your people or those around the world who will suffer with you as you leap into the 'unknown.' Ordinary Russians are fast losing their 'voice.' Indeed it is only a very short time, before they will not be able to read blogs like mine or communicate on FB. Luckily the resilience and spirit of the Russian people will win through in the end. 

Chilli sauce---sweet or sour---over to you.

Chillies are really cheap at the moment in NZ, especially in the northern regions. When my sister brought me two big bags of them---what to do. Well, I settled on tow methods, one my own and the other, via my friend Doug, with a little twist, as I am known to do!
I cut up  half of them and died hem in the fan oven at bout 70C for a few hours, then blitzed them in my kitchen thingy.
For the others I just cut, left the seeds in and added some salt (up to you how much), white vinegar, a little sugar and olive oil. I blitzed them too and ---chilli sauce that I keep in the fridge. I used medium sized chillies so they were not too hot.  Yummy----go do!  Such fun. Now just add both versions to your favourite dishes.
 

ANZAC Day--its meaning is even more inportant now.

Today many thousands of New Zealanders braved the early morning chill to go out, many with their families to honour those whom have served NZ and Australia. We remember those young men (and women) who went off to fields far away, to lands they had only dreamed about, most with the idea that they were fighting for something special, but also with a sense of adventure. My own grandfather went to Egypt (That wasn't so bad, given the stories he told me when he visited for meals as Mum cook in the kitchen---I did tell her many years later and she just smiled)  and then onto the terrible battlefields of France, where he was gassed, went to England to recover and met my grandmother, so in a sense I owe it to that war for my very own existence. He brought that lovely nurse back to NZ, to become the parents of my dear mother.
It is wonderful to see the increasingly high attendances at these morning services of young people. They are gaining a sense of 'who we are' and an understanding of the bond between Australia and NZ, strained as it is in some aspects these days. All around the world at this time, NZers and Aussies stand together as they remember the sacrifices our forefathers made for our two nations.
In my younger days, I did not favour the ANZAC day ceremonies as I believed that the day was a glorification of war. I could not have been more wrong. As with most Kiwis now, we see those times as the 'coming of age' of both NZ and Australia. Sure there was an element of 'where Britain goes, so did we,' but that was an overhang from colonial days, and a period in our growth as a nation that was reflected in many other countries around the world. We have come of age and it is days like ANZAC day that show our understanding of that journey, along with an increasing knowledge of our own not so flattering history re Treaty of Waitangi issues.
Today is also a time when we look towards events in modern day Europe and wish for a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian dilemma. I do not think that NZ would become involved in any unfortunate conflagration in that region, but whatever happens there, will have a ripple effect for us.
NZ has little influence of the world stage, but that should not stop us from speaking out to the main  protagonists, be they in Kiev, Moscow, Washington of the capitals of the EU. The ANZAC nations must speak with a united voice----for peace and a dignified resolution to this latest crisis that once again threatens world peace. It is also a time that Australia should examine how it lives alongside its cousins across the ditch. We can not afford to have divisions between us---no family should. 'Big bothers should not be bullies.