RobiNZ Personal Blog

6th Anniversary!

It’s blog’iversary time again. I find it hard to believe six years have flown by since that first tentative post. To everyone, everywhere, thanks for visiting, reading and subscribing! There are some cool changes coming up, but for now it is time to look back on the last year of bloggy stats. Statistics: Visits & Subscribers: Regions: Browser & OS: Read more →

IMDB iPhone App is cool!

It really bugs me when I recognize an actor in movies, or TV, and can't place where from. The solution is invariably found on IMDB and their new (for us outside the US) iPhone application makes it easy. Search for titles, cast, crew and more with massive amounts of related info on every title. I also like the links to reviews outside IMDB's database and to Amazon. Its an impressive app that should be on your phone. (seen displaying my favourite ever movie "Local Hero") Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - When the “M’ in M3 is matt

On today's Sunday cycle ride I saw a car that challenged the glossy new car convention. The BMW M3 is the best looking vehicle in the current line-up and Matt Black paint just makes an already special car unique! It had a real stealth look yet stood out. Read more →

Bing'ed off

Read that Microsoft have removed Bing iPhone from the app store outside the US. No big loss because it never worked. Are they serious about search on platforms other than Windows? Read more →

Help (via Forest & Bird) save our national parks from mining

As sent via the on-line submittal form at Forest & Bird’s site: To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Our national parks are too precious to mine Dear Prime Minister, I was annoyed to hear your "well they would be opposed wouldn’t they" comment on Radio Live this morning (2010-03-15) regarding this Forest & Bird campaign. It is possible to be supportive of economic development (including tourism) and regard mining in conservation areas to be a stupid move. These special parts of New Zealand will create far more long-term wealth through tourism than they will ever do from traces of minerals. Low-impact... Read more →

Bing’s world’s craziest drives includes The Milford Sound Road

Below are two photos of the Milford Sound Rd heading from Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. The first was taken just before a thrilling 800m to 0m (sea level) 8km mountain bike descent, part of the Adventure South Milford Wilderness trip. I have also done this in the car (fun in the mighty 1.0 litre Uno) and by helicopter. On a scenic flight we landed by the road near the tunnel to drop someone off then swooped down the valley following the road. It’s one of the roads featured in the Bing Travels “The world’s craziest drives” and deserves to... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought – Fix the stupid “left gives way to right” turn rule

I was listening to TV3 news in the car waiting to make a right hand turn into a side street as this story aired. A continuous stream of approaching traffic meant those turning left didn’t have to give way but several hesitated as if going to do so. It was bizarre to see a live demonstration of the current give way rule failing as they read the story! This insane rule that requires a left turning car to judge what is happening in front (is someone turning right), behind (is the traffic behind turning or going through) and often around... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - Choosing my four door Supercar…

On today's Sunday cycle ride I saw, within a hour or so, both a Porsche Panamera and a Maserati Quattroporte. One of them is an elegant four door with supercar performance, and the other is a Porsche. Read more →

30 years of the Audi Quattro, an awesome video from Autocar

I remember hearing, briefly seeing as they flashed past, the Quattro Rally cars flying through New Zealand forest stages. It’s funny but all these years later, it’s why I think my Fiat, 5 cylinder too, sounds a bit Quattro! Watch this awesome video of Walter Rohrl reunited with the legendary Group B Quattro. 30 years of the Audi Quattro - Autocar.co.uk Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - Not in a Laurel

You drive like a hoon, You dress like a hoon, You sit at the lights revving the engine like it's a drag race, But you can't look cool in a Nissan Laurel. Read more →