RobiNZ Personal Blog

About Grocery washing | COVID-19

I’m reluctant to comment on the recent much shared YouTube showing how to wash your groceries, but happy to share this from someone is qualified to comment: From Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/bugcounter/status/1243319180851580929 By Don Schaffner @bugcounter https://foodsci.rutgers.edu/schaffner/ Dr. Donald W. Schaffner is Extension Specialist in Food Science and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. His research interests include quantitative microbial risk assessment, predictive food microbiology, handwashing and cross-contamination. Unless you are living under a rock or have already perished from COVID-19, you've likely seen a YouTube video making the rounds where a medical doctor (wearing scrubs!) purports to give COVID-19 advice. (1/33)... Read more →

Alfie bails out of the local park walk | COVID-19

The, now, normal COVID-19 local park walk (below) was aborted yesterday. On the Parrs Park through road, near the school classrooms, Alfie just flat out refused to go any further. All four paws locked up, legs scrabbling into reverse, 180 degree turn, tail down, ears back ‘out of here’ mode. A second attempt, same result The park was really quiet, nothing different to the last decade we’ve done this walk (albeit usually as part of a much longer one) other than a rather ominous cloud overhead. I wonder if he heard thunder (I didn’t) but whatever, today it was back... Read more →

My Fiat Bravo 155 HGT the HubNut star!

Back in mid-January 2020 Ian (HubNut) Seabrook took my 2001 Fiat Bravo 155HGT for a drive. I'm glad to see the verdict was favourable, even though his drive was hampered by an intermittent sensor problem causing it to feel flat on acceleration. Ian must be stronger than me. He pulled the bonnet release lever out of its pivot, never seen do that before, but clipped back in now! Since this was filmed the air conditioning condenser has been repaired so it's even cooler now. The wobbly throttle sensor was being sorted when the COVID-19 virus lock down closed NZ. I... Read more →

COVID-19 Level 4 Lockdown

Not many times in my lifetime that you sense history being made. Tonight, now, New Zealand history is being made for our own good. In short, until the Level 4 status is changed, Stay At Home! Uniting against COVID-19 - https://covid19.govt.nz/ A word from Dr Siouxsie Wiles for those even considering going out to mix: Credit Siouxsie Wiles wants a word with your parents - The Spinoff (which I'm proud to support) Read more →

Hot Cross Bun taste test - Jam, Peanut Butter or Vegemite?

I was inspired to try this after seeing Kyle's tweet: Hot Cross buns with Vegemite. Yes/ No? pic.twitter.com/uFwlizP4Pc — Kyle MacDonald (@kylemacd) March 18, 2020 My taste buds said 'NO!' but my brain thought 'But what would it taste like....?'. Not wanting to sacrifice (appropriate word in this context) an entire Hot Cross Bun I thought about just having half. Then looked at the other spreads in the pantry/fridge and decided to be a little more scientific: Quarters, three spreads with a base for comparison! Bakers Delight Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Bun Base Configuration Just add butter, except it... Read more →

An evening with Pat Metheny | Auckland March 2020

I didn't know it at the time, but this could the last live event I see in 2020. It was early in the Auckland Arts Festival, itself was closed mid-way due to COVID-19 restrictions. It's the second time I have seen Pat Metheny, his second visit to New Zealand. The first meant a trip to Wellington, this time just to Auckland's Town Hall. They specifically announced "The artists request no photos or recording during the performance" so here's my only one from before. It was annoying to see a few people still trying, seemingly oblivious to the phone screen-glow which... Read more →

Dog walking, plane watching

I often walk Alfie around Waikumete Cemetery and aircraft flying over (on approach to Auckland Airport) are not uncommon. Today was different as it was an Air New Zealand 787-9 but much lower than normal and headed West which is rare. May not have noticed before had Aeropex, as was the sound which really got my attention. The phone wide angle doesn't really convey it, but the altitude, attitude, sound and configuration were 'odd'. Normally aircraft pass over here about 5000-6000 ft heading East before looping around to land into the prevailing westerly wind. A look at Flightradar24 showed it... Read more →