Canterbury North Edition

Vol. 307-2  October 12, 2026

Ph Steve 021 070 1355


Everybody's Talking

Aurora rails: In northern Norway, a new overnight train has been built with one goal in mind, letting passengers watch the Northern Lights while they travel. Instead of standard windows, the cars are wrapped in glass, including the ceiling, so the sky stays in view from every seat. The interior lighting is kept low to avoid reflections, making it easier to see faint movement outside. The route runs through areas already known for strong aurora activity, turning the journey itself into the main attraction. Designed as an alternative to daytime sightseeing, the train pairs slow travel with night skies. For travellers, it offers an immersive way to experience the aurora from a moving viewpoint.

Reef voices: Coral reefs are alive with clicks, pops, and low noises, but it's been hard to tell which fish make which sounds. A new tool solves that by recording audio and video together, letting researchers match a sound to the fish seen making it. The system uses underwater microphones paired with a wide-view camera, so crowded reef scenes are easier to sort out. Early recordings showed that many fish make sounds scientists didn't know about before. Those identified noises are added to a shared library for future study. Over time, the recordings can be checked without divers returning to the site. Researchers say listening this way could become a simple way to track reef activity and changes.

Ancient paths: In Bolivia, a rock surface covered in dinosaur footprints is offering a rare look at daily life in the distant past. Instead of bones, the site preserves steps left in soft ground, showing where animals actually walked. The markings stretch across what was once a wet shoreline, forming long paths that hint at repeated movement through the area. Most prints belong to meat-eating dinosaurs that travelled on two legs. Some tracks curve or overlap, suggesting turns, pauses, or shared routes. Because footprints stay where they're made, researchers can study direction, pace, and spacing with unusual confidence. The site helps turn frozen moments into a clearer picture of how these animals moved across the land.

Vape power: In England, an engineer has shown how much energy is thrown away by turning discarded vaping devices into a working home battery. Instead of seeing them as trash, he collected hundreds of used units and removed the rechargeable cells inside. Once combined, those small batteries formed a single power source capable of running household electronics for hours. The setup worked without drawing from the grid, lighting rooms and running everyday appliances. The project began after he noticed how easily people tossed devices built with reusable parts. The experiment highlights how much usable energy ends up in the bin and what careful reuse can unlock.

Quotable Quotes

"Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." ~ Simone Weil

"I intend to live forever. So far, so good." ~ Steven Wright

What's Happening

Dementia Canterbury needs YOU! We need more volunteers to help support those living with dementia in our community. Please contact alyssa@dementiacanterbury.org.nz or on 03 379 2590 for more information.

The North Canterbury Sunday Market, every Sunday 9-2. 314 Lehmans Road, Rangiora. Food, Stalls, Entertainment

Do you have an eye condition resulting in vision loss? We are a group of people of all ages and all eye conditions, sharing support along with hints and tips. Join us on Facebook Blindsided NZ or Blindsided.NZ@gmail.com

Free 5km timed run, Pegasus 8am every Saturday,Register at parkrun.co.nz

Citizens Advice Bureau North Canterbury looks forward to helping clients in 2020. We might not always find the answer to problems but we will give it a good try. Please contact us on 0800 367 222

Rangiora Community Chior We practice each Wednesday in term time at 7.20-9pm at 176 King St, Methodist Church in Rangiora. We welcome new members, no auditions required. Follow us on facebook or https://sites.google.com/view/rangiora-community-choir

Widowed men and women - from around 50-mid 70s. We offer monthly meetings with support and friendship with regular activities such as dinners, movies, walks etc. New members welcome. Ph Claire 3543976 or Carol 9814125.

Free notices for not for profits steve@coffeenews.co.nz

Trivia

1. Which composer wrote The Four Seasons?

2. This is the longest river in South America.

3. What is the longest running animated television series in history?

4. What is the name of the cowboy in the Toy Story movies?

5. The chemical symbol for silver is Au, Ag, or Si?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
You may feel an energy boost at mid-week. Use it to complete a project that requires more discipline. Carefully consider any impulse to pivot in a new direction regarding it. Lucky numbers: 4, 5, 9, 20, 28, 40.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
The highest purpose for Libras is to try to help humanity find balance, harmony and peace. It is important you stand your ground in this task now, even though it is hard. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 17, 23, 33, 40.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
The three outer planets have moved from earth and water to fire and air. Is this shift uncomfortable? Use your endurance to flow with these energies rather than resisting them. Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 27, 28, 32, 37.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
Your ability to deeply see others' truths may tempt you to be skeptical of humanity's future. That is understandable but we need your truth-telling skills now more than ever. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 17, 26, 31, 37.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
Geminis often approach situations from an intellectual perspective. Over the next weeks, the Universe may ask you to adjust your view to add more heart and passion. Lucky numbers: 11, 13, 18, 25, 27, 31.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Your natural optimism is given a boost early in the week. It can possibly help you achieve what you desire to manifest. Resist the urge to take on more than you need to. Lucky numbers: 5, 8, 13, 26, 29, 34.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
At mid-week, you may run into an obstacle to your plans from someone with a stake in the outcome. Take a moment to consider whether they may have a valid point. Lucky numbers: 7, 10, 14, 21, 27, 39.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
At mid-week, others may feel that you are being stubborn about something of interest to both of you. Take a few steps back and perhaps consider if they might be right. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 10, 13, 29, 40.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
Leo is associated with heart and courage. This week may bring an opportunity that requires both. Let your actions reflect compassion and fairness for everyone involved. Lucky numbers: 1, 6, 17, 23, 25, 38.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
Aquarius can naturally sense how humanity's evolution might unfold. Your gift is to bring that understanding to the rest of us. A window for this opens at week's end. Lucky numbers: 12, 14, 26, 34, 37, 40.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Pluto in Aquarius invites you to embrace a higher purpose. It may be time to see yourself and your role in the world differently. As your outlook evolves, so can your influence. Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 11, 28, 31, 36.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
Pisces deeply feels the pain of our chaotic world. However, strive to find a helpful role among humanity. Think about where can you make a positive difference today. Lucky numbers: 7, 9, 14, 18, 25, 35.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Sagittarius winners with the luckiest number being 29.

Did you know

Doughy history: France's famous croissant actually began in Austria, where a crescent-shaped pastry called kipferl was already part of local baking. Its form inspired the treat now linked with French bakeries, long before it became a breakfast favourite.

Calm seas: The Pacific Ocean got its name from Ferdinand Magellan after his voyage brought him into calm waters. "Pacific" comes from a word meaning peaceful, reflecting his first impression of this particular ocean.

Bump reflex: Goosebumps appear when tiny muscles pull each hair upright, creating small bumps across the skin. This reaction can happen during strong emotion as well as cold, showing how our bodies still carry an ancient insulating response.

Frozen filter: When seawater turns to ice, much of its salt is pushed out, leaving the frozen surface far fresher than the ocean below. After years of this natural filtering, melting sea ice can release water that's surprisingly close to fresh.

Crystal balance: Deep in your inner ear sit tiny natural crystals that shift whenever you move. Their small movements help your brain understand direction and keep your sense of balance steady, even during simple everyday motions.

On the lighter side

What hotel does cheese stay in? Stilton.

The failed poet decided to leave the writing process to the prose.

Take it from a scientist: Never believe atoms. They make up everything.

Navy jet pilot: That is it! We're flying faster than the speed of sound! Co-pilot: What?

When the TV repairman got married, the Reception was excellent.

Answers

1. Antonio Vivaldi 2. Amazon 3. The Simpsons 4. Woody 5. Ag