Hawkes Bay Edition

Vol. 307-4  October 26, 2026

Ph Chris 022 078 0890


Everybody's Talking

Hedgehog hotel: In a small Scottish town, a couple turned spare rooms and outbuildings into a place where injured hedgehogs can recover before returning to the wild. What began as caring for a few animals at home grew as neighbours learned there was somewhere local to bring hedgehogs in trouble. The pair added space, equipment, and volunteers, reshaping their property to handle many animals at once. They now manage daily feeding, cleaning, and basic health checks, sending animals to vets only when specialised care is needed. Along the way, they've also taught residents how gardens and roads affect hedgehog safety. The effort has helped many European hedgehogs that might not have survived otherwise.

Crop robot: In Osaka, Japan, researchers are teaching farm robots to slow down and think before grabbing a tomato. Instead of rushing in, the machine scans how each fruit sits among the stems and leaves. It weighs which direction offers the cleanest path, rather than guessing blindly in tight spaces. When one angle doesn't work, the robot can shift and come in from the side, much like a person adjusting their hand. This approach cuts down on plant damage and wasted effort. The system treats harvesting as a set of small choices instead of a single move. Over time, it could let robots handle fruit while people focus on the trickier parts of the job, saving time and improving efficiency overall.

Ancient shave: In England, a roughly 2,000-year-old iron razor from Roman times is drawing attention by offering a glimpse into everyday grooming long ago. The tool, shaped to fit a finger or hang from a belt, shows how men removed stubble before modern blades existed. For many Romans, a smooth face was tied to status and city manners, especially among wealthier families. Coins and statues from the period often show leaders without beards, reflecting this preference. Shaving also carried risk, since barbers worked close to the throat in tense political times. Beyond daily use, the first full shave marked a formal step into adulthood. Today, the razor stands as a rare reminder of personal care in the ancient world.

Denim portraits: In Orlando, Florida USA, an artist is giving old jeans a second life by turning them into detailed portrait art. Small denim pieces are cut and sorted by colour, then placed together to form faces and animals. Instead of paint, the work relies on natural colour changes in the fabric, which adds texture to each image. Every piece is made by hand, so no two artworks can be exactly the same. The subjects include familiar public figures as well as wildlife, all built from everyday clothing. By reusing worn fabric, the artist shows how simple materials can become lasting artwork. The process also highlights care, reuse, and steady effort behind each finished piece.

Quotable Quotes

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period. ~ Bren Brown

Trivia

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in this country.

2. The planet Saturn is best known for its prominent system of these.

3. Abraham Lincoln was born in this state in 1809.

4. Which team won NRL State of Origin in 2026?

5. What country has more lakes than any other country in the world?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
This week you may be feeling the echoes of an old emotional wound. Previously hidden infor­mation may start to rise to the surface. If so, it may be best processed with self-love. Lucky numbers: 3, 6, 7, 13, 25, 35.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
For the past couple of weeks, your natural charm, tact and diplomacy have been heightened. This will pass soon, so utilise these qualities now to facilitate positive change. Lucky numbers: 3, 9, 16, 28, 37, 35.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
The beginning of the week may be a good time to wrap up a project or conversation that has been lingering for a while. Take advantage and don't miss the opportunity to do so. Lucky numbers: 1, 2, 15, 25, 32, 36.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
If you find yourself in a stalemate at the begin­ning of the week, take a deep breath and consider the situation. Digging in your heels now may not be productive. Lucky numbers: 2, 12, 28, 29, 34, 40.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
This week your normal means of processing information may not work as well. Instead, a gut level intuition may provide an opportunity if you slightly adjust your perspective. Lucky numbers: 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 17.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Early in the week, your head and heart may be out of sync about a decision. If a compromise isn't possible try and wait it out for a few days allowing this dynamic to pass. Lucky numbers: 5, 10, 17, 25, 31, 32.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
If you are finding things a bit overwhelming at mid-week, look for an opportuni­ty to step back briefly. Self-care can help recharge your energy to return to the fray. Lucky numbers: 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 40.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
At mid-week your normal ambition to push towards success may be diminished. This may be an opportunity to focus on people or situations that require a softer touch. Lucky numbers: 6, 8, 13, 29, 37, 38.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
You may be especially enthusiastic at week's end to get what you want. Be careful of not being too aggressive in the way that you communicate your goals to others now. Lucky numbers: 2, 11, 19, 35, 36, 37.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
You may be in a power struggle within yourself or with others at the beginning of the week. Keep a look out for all the hidden ori­gins of the situation and begin to address them. Lucky numbers: 1, 11, 28, 30, 38, 39.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Do you happen to have a project that needs an extra boost to complete? The energy at the beginning of the week may provide this for you, so be aware of the possibility. Lucky numbers: 6, 11, 12, 23, 28, 37.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
Pisces sometimes have difficulty implementing their grand dreams into lasting reality. You may find a good opportunity at the start of the week to effectively do so now. Lucky numbers: 1, 3, 14, 18, 20, 22.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Pisces winners with the luckiest number being 3.

Did you know

Backup hero: During production of Toy Story 2, an animated sequel film, a large part of the project was accidentally deleted. The movie survived because an employee on maternity leave had a working copy at home, which allowed the team to restore it.

London calling: The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed much of the city but fortunately killed very few people. It did, however, reshape the city's architecture for centuries.

Sweet roots: The first recorded recipe for chocolate comes from the Aztecs. They mixed ground cacao beans with spices and water to create a bitter, energising drink.

Head turner: Sloths can turn their heads almost completely around. With extra neck vertebrae, they rotate 270 degrees to spot predators without moving their slow bodies.

Day at the beach: The world's largest sandcastle was over 30 metres tall. Built in Germany in 2019, it included turrets, bridges, and even a small sand moat.

On the lighter side

Why do eggs come in cartons? So they don't egg-scape.

How is a crossword puzzle like an argument? One word leads to another.

What is one thing you can never catch? A breeze.

Doorman: Your car is at the door, sir. Car owner: Yes, I hear it knocking.

Sign outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.

Genetics is the study of which parent's family can be blamed for their teenager's behaviour.

Answers

1. Italy 2. Rings 3. Kentucky 4. NSW Blues 5. Canada