Continental journey: A newly opened railway between Laos and China has unlocked a groundbreaking train route from Portugal to Singapore, now the world's longest train journey. Spanning two continents and 13 countries, this epic trek connects western and eastern hemispheres entirely by rail. The route offers passengers the chance to experience stunning landscapes and vibrant cities, including Paris, Moscow, and Bangkok, with overnight stops to explore. Although requiring meticulous planning, multiple visas, and occasional bus connections, this 18,749 km journey excites train enthusiasts. After all, no flight can match the charm of watching the world roll by, one track at a time.

Googly mischief: In Bend, Oregon (USA), public art sculptures are getting an unexpected upgrade. Giant googly eyes are mysteriously appearing on their surfaces. While many residents are charmed by the quirky additions, city officials are less amused, citing costly clean-up efforts to protect the sculptures from adhesive damage. Among the altered pieces are a family of deer, a towering sphere, and a steel horse, part of the city's renowned Roundabout Art Route. Though some see the googly eyes as playful interaction with public art, officials urge residents to avoid causing harm. For now, the googly prank has sparked laughs, debates, and a little extra personality for Bend's outdoor art displays, eyesores or not!

Chopstick transformation: A startup based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is giving discarded chopsticks a second life by turning them into durable materials for furniture and decor. ChopValue collects hundreds of thousands of chopsticks weekly from restaurants, preventing them from ending up in landfills. These chopsticks are processed in micro-factories, where they're pressed with a water-based resin to create a composite stronger than traditional wood. The resulting products, including tables and wall decor, are sold online and used in businesses across Canada and beyond. With countless chopsticks already transformed, the company proves that even small items can contribute to a sustainable future.

Snow artistry: Artist Simon Beck transforms snow-covered landscapes into stunning works of art using only snowshoes and a ski pole. A former mapmaker, he applies his engineering skills to meticulously plan intricate geometric designs, which require hours of walking and tens of thousands of steps to complete. While his creations are short-lived due to nature's whims, he sees beauty in their impermanence and captures them in photographs for the world to admire. From snowy mountains to sandy beaches, Beck embraces the challenges of working in constantly shifting environments. His art, blending creativity and endurance, proves that even the simplest tools can create something extraordinary, one step at a time.

Attention is the beginning of devotion. ~ Mary Oliver

The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching. ~ Dave Chappelle

Volunteer Community Patrollers wanted – Can you spare a minimum of 4 hours per month? Full training provided. Clean driver licence required. Waiuku 021 030 4062, Pukekohe 021 138 0135

Franklin Bridge Club at 20 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe, is the place to learn and play the most popular mind sport (card game) in the World. Enjoy a warm welcome at our very friendly club where all ages are welcome. Enquiries to Maureen on 022 156 4511.

Volunteers needed for Drury Riding for the Disabled. No previous experience necessary, full training provided. Mon, Tue or Thu flexible hours. Work with horses, riders or in a support role. Call 021 727 390 or email admin@southaucklandrda.org

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

1. Iceland is considered part of Europe - T/F?

2. Kind of Blue is a best-selling album of this trumpet-playing jazz musician.

3. An amberjack is a type of _____ that is prized for its taste.

4. In what direction does the jet stream typically flow?

5. In the game of checkers, a player starts with how many pieces?

Brick genius: LEGO, named from the Danish words leg godt meaning play well, started in a carpenter's workshop. Now a global toy giant, its iconic brick design encourages endless creativity and has been named the Toy of the Century.

Naked glory: Ancient Greek Olympic athletes competed nude, believing it enhanced performance. Runners abandoned loincloths, inspired by tales of speed. This tradition symbolised athleticism and simplicity in the original games.

Built strong: Bones are impressively durable, far outperforming steel in strength for their weight. A small cube of bone can bear the load of five pickup trucks, highlighting nature's ability to create lightweight yet powerful structures.

Search origins: Before it became Google, the search engine had a quirky name BackRub. It analysed web backlinks to rank sites. By 1997, it was renamed after googol, a term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeroes.

Seawater flow: Sea stars don't have blood coursing through their bodies. Instead, they rely on seawater. A system of canals moves water through them, helping with movement and feeding. This natural plumbing keeps their tube feet working smoothly.

What do Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot watch at 6 o'clock? The knightly news.

Show me a famous surgeon, I'll show you a big operator.

I went to the doctor and told him a pair of bongos fell on my head. He said I had a slight percussion.

Wife: Where are you going with your golf clubs? Husband: To a tee party.

1. True 2. Miles Davis 3. Fish 4. West to east 5. 12