Sacred splash: In Heerlen, Netherlands, an empty church is getting new life as a swimming pool. Architects are preserving the historic charm while adding clever features, including an adjustable pool floor that allows the venue to host both swimming and cultural events. Glass walls shield stained glass and artwork from humidity, while church pews have been repurposed as seating and bar tables. The pulpit, once used for sermons, will now offer a perfect vantage point for the lifeguard. Swimmers enter through the original aisles, experiencing the blend of old and new. Designed to honour the building's past while meeting modern needs, this inspired project shows how thoughtful design can breathe new life into cherished spaces.

Shifting shade: Designer Joe Doucet of New York USA found himself unsure what colour to paint his house until the answer revealed itself in a mood ring. Using the same chemical idea, he created a paint that flips from white to black depending on the temperature, aiming to help homes stay cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold. The shift responds to outdoor conditions and could cut energy use without wires or moving parts. Still in testing, the early results show indoor temperatures are noticeably affected. The formula can be used with other colours, too, so a blue house would turn light blue in the summer and dark blue in the winter. The idea is to let the weather decide the colour, and hopefully save energy costs at the same time.

Petal parade: A springtime tradition transforms the streets of Noto in Italy with vast carpets of flowers. During the Noto Infiorata Festival, local artists craft elaborate floral mosaics along Via Nicolaci, each design reflecting a chosen yearly theme. Thousands of petals are carefully arranged by hand, drawing visitors from near and far. What began as a tourism initiative has grown into a celebrated cultural event, filling the Baroque city with colour, scent, and art. Surrounding streets host concerts, markets, and displays of local crafts. For many, strolling through this fleeting gallery of blooms is a chance to experience Noto's rich blend of beauty and tradition, one petal at a time.

Tunnel trouble: In Nara, Japan, train operators faced an unusual challenge. Turtles were getting stuck on the tracks. To prevent accidents and protect the reptiles, a local railway company teamed up with an aquarium to build a turtle tunnel beneath the rails. Designed for these slow-moving travellers, the passage lets them safely pass under the tracks instead of risking a crossing above. Monthly checks keep things running smoothly, with any rescued turtles taken in for care. While the tunnel has already saved several shelled commuters, it's just one small fix in a much bigger picture. Other regions are now testing similar wildlife paths. For these turtles at least, there's finally a safer way to get from one side to the other.

Freedom is the greatest fruit of self-sufficiency. ~ Epicurus

We see what we believe rather than what we see. ~ Alan Watts

Support Creative Northland: Creative Northland has opened a fund to bring new creative projects into our local creative communities. To donate, get in touch with the team on 09 430 0710 or visit www.creativenorthland.com for more details

Do you feel lonely in business? Are you looking for support in Business? NRG is a Business Support group meeting each Tuesday morning between 9am and 10.30am. No pressure on referrals, just weekly topics to keep on top of your business. Call Rudy on 021 421 346

BNI Late Start chapter is a business referral group with 19 active members. We meet up on Wednesday from 8.50am until 10.30am Contact Rudy on 021 421 346 to see what it is all about or call Jono Reeves to reserve a spot in any other BNI Chapter in Northland

Holiday Happenings at Kiwi North: open 7 days 10am - 4pm Kiwi North Scavenger Hunt - Fun for the whole family! Kiwi Feeding 11am, 1pm & 3pm daily

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1. What colour is Kermit the Frog?

2. Featured in an Agatha Christie novel, this train started running in 1883.

3. What name is given to the science of sound?

4. Mushrooms are more closely related to animals than to plants - T/F?

5. Several Mesoamerican peoples used chocolate as what?

Lucky seven: USA and Canadian phone numbers weren't always seven digits long. Engineers found that the length offered enough combinations to expand the system, while still being short enough for people to remember, balancing function and memory.

Strings surprise: Before becoming a rap star, J. Cole spent years mastering the violin. By high school, he was first chair in the orchestra, performing familiar movie themes. That early passion for music carried into his later career.

Sea mystery: In the North Atlantic Ocean, the Sargasso Sea doesn't touch any land. Instead, it's defined by powerful ocean currents that form a natural boundary. Many sea creatures, including eels and turtles, travel through it during their long migrations.

Cosmic crop: Potatoes became the first vegetable grown in space. Thanks to a team-up between NASA and researchers in Wisconsin USA, special Quantum Tubers were crafted using a mix of farming know-how and space science.

Dad delivery: Instead of moms, male seahorses are the ones who carry and birth their young. Their pouch works much like a uterus, nourishing the babies inside. It's a rare twist in nature's approach to parenting.

Where do owls learn the best? At night school.

Sign in a bank window: Come in and see if you are loan-ly.

I suffered for months with ringing in my ears, then I got an unlisted ear.

Joy: Where were you when the parade went by? Jim: I was home waving my hair. Joy: Next time use a flag.

1. Green 2. Orient Express 3. Acoustics 4. True 5. Currency