Tauranga

Vol. 292-4  July 28, 2025

Phone 022 350 8096


Everybody's Talking

Snap-together homes: A Belgium-based company, Gablok, has created an innovative do-it-yourself home-building kit inspired by LEGO bricks. The system uses insulated wooden blocks made from compressed wood and resin to form a home's structure, requiring no construction expertise or adhesives. Assembly is simple, involving just a screwdriver, ladder, and clear instructions, with some homes built in under a week. While the kit covers the structural shell, foundations and finishing are additional. The design also allows homeowners to easily expand or reconfigure their living spaces, adding flexibility.

Ancient settlement: Skara Brae, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a remarkably preserved Stone Age village in the Orkney Islands of Scotland that offers a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric life. Dating back over 5,000 years, the site was revealed by a powerful storm in 1850 after being buried beneath sand dunes for centuries. Its stone-built dwellings, linked by paved alleys, were ingeniously designed with built-in furniture crafted from local stone due to the absence of trees. The residents relied on cattle, sheep, and shellfish for sustenance and adorned themselves with beads and pendants fashioned from animal bones and teeth. Games using dice suggest a lively community spirit.

Endless waves: In Puerto Malabrigo, Peru, Chicama boasts the world's longest surfable wave, captivating surfers with its unparalleled length and perfection. This famed point break delivers thrilling rides stretching up to 4 km, with five distinct sections, each offering unique challenges and speeds. The wave, sculpted by a perfectly positioned headland, forms under the influence of southern swells and offshore winds. While the ride is exhilarating, the physical demands are immense, and paddling back to the lineup is impractical. Instead, surfers return by boat or come ashore and walk along the beach to get back to the lineup. With its mesmerising rhythm of endless waves, Chicama is a must-visit for those chasing the ultimate surfing experience.

Subterranean serenity: Below the surface of London in England, AIRE Baths London offers an immersive wellness experience infused with history. Built under the former home of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, this candle-lit spa invites visitors to soak in thermal pools inspired by ancient Greek and Roman rituals. From steaming hot baths to icy plunges, each pool offers a unique sensation, while a salt bath mimics the buoyancy of the Dead Sea. Guests can even indulge in a soak infused with antioxidant-rich wine. Vaulted brick ceilings and dim lighting create a tranquil retreat from the city above. Even Peter Pan himself might have paused his adventures for a soak in these enchanted waters.

Quotable Quotes

It's all a question of imagination. Our responsibility begins with the power to imagine. ~ Haruki Murakami

The finest kind of friendship is between people who expect a great deal of each other but never ask it. ~ Sylvia Bremer

Trivia

1. Bumble bees don't make honey - T/F?

2. She was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

3. The first crossword puzzle was published in 1913, 1933, or 1953?

4. Who created the cartoon dog Snoopy?

5. The Edsel car was manufactured by General Motors, Ford, or Volkswagen?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
Relationships may be a focus for you this week. Be aware of how the memories of an old issue could be impacting you now in your relationships. Think through why. Lucky numbers: 4, 5, 17, 26, 27, 40.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Your ability to achieve a balance with others may be heightened early in the week. If you are expe­riencing a relationship issue, now might be a good time to address it. Lucky numbers: 5, 10, 12, 27, 31, 37.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
Loyalty is an important value for Taurus. This week, be on the lookout for any opportunities to work with people who are as loyal to you as you are to them. Lucky numbers: 3, 5, 11, 15, 24, 37.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
You may feel at midweek that you are at a turning point, but are not sure which way to go. Lean into your intuition and look for information that could help you decide. Lucky numbers: 6, 11, 16, 20, 27, 48.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
Geminis are undergoing a long transition. For the next few weeks try to focus on nurturing yourself and others. This may be awk­ward, but could be very bene­ficial for you. Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 16, 21, 28, 35.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Sagittarians often focus on the big picture. For the next few weeks, how­ever, it may be more helpful to shift to the small circle of your per­sonal relationships. Lucky numbers: 7, 12, 15, 28, 33, 40.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
For the next few weeks, your focus may be on home and family. This might be a good time to make any needed changes, such as addressing com­munication issues. Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 18, 29, 32, 38.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
Is there an emotional wound that you refuse to see, even as it is creating conflict for you? It would be helpful not to resist the whispers of your higher self and try to resolve it. Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 17, 19, 27, 36.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
At midweek, your Leo sun could shine brightly. This may be a good time to present ideas for which you need more support, and your persona may make a difference. Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 13, 17, 33, 35.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
Over the next few weeks, you may hit a snag in your relationship. Having a heartfelt discussion could be helpful about what adjustments might need to be made. Lucky numbers: 8, 11, 17, 21, 38, 39.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
For the next six months, you may find yourself facing an old emotional wound. Although diffi­cult, this could offer an opportunity for you to see how well it has healed. Lucky numbers: 2, 9, 12, 14, 25, 31.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
What endeavour are you passionate about nurtur­ing into fruition? The next month may be a good time to start mani­festing it. Do so in align­ment with your highest values. Lucky numbers: 10, 13, 18, 25, 28, 34.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Pisces winners with the luckiest number being 34.

Did you know

Dotted genius: At just 15, Louis Braille invented the Braille system by simplifying an earlier writing method used by the French military. His six-dot code became universal, allowing blind readers to navigate the world through touch.

Selfless squirrels: Red squirrels show remarkable care by adopting orphaned relatives, ensuring their shared genes live on. Even when resources are limited, they make room for family, showing one way that nature balances survival with generosity.

Biodiversity leader: Earth's most biodiverse country, Brazil set aside vast protected areas to safeguard ecosystems. The country used national strategies and conservation efforts to preserve countless species and promote sustainable practices.

Isolated life: Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited place on Earth, accessible by a lengthy sea voyage. This tiny, South Atlantic Ocean farming community rests on a volcanic island surrounded by rugged terrain and diverse wildlife.

Puzzle twist: When Ern Rubik scrambled his newly invented Rubik's Cube, he had no idea how to solve it. First it was a design experiment, then a perplexing challenge. When he cracked the code a month later, the beloved puzzle was born.

On the lighter side

Artificial snow produces snow fakes.

I suffered for months with this ringing in my ears until I got an unlisted ear.

Rich: Why do you work so hard? Mitch: I'm too nervous to steal.

Why do people dip bread into melted cheese? Because they have fonduing it!

Answers

1. False 2. Margaret Thatcher 3. 1913 4. Charles Schultz 5. Ford