The youngest winner of the Tour de France in a century rode into the city of light at sunset on Sunday, looking every inch the awestruck kid, as Tadej Pogacar became the first Slovenian to win the yellow jersey. –Jeremy Whittle, The Guardian

Last minute victory!

By Roger Childs

Tour winners are usually experienced and hardened cyclists who have many years of international competition under their belts. Biking more than 3480kms in 21 stages over three weeks in a variety of terrain, including several mountain stages to over 2000m, is not for the faint-hearted. So it is incredible that Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, aged 21, has pulled off the victory in his first Tour. However, up until the 20^th stage his compatriot. Primoz Roglic, had been the yellow jersey holder for two weeks, with Pogacar (pronounced po-gar-cha) second.

However. in the penultimate stage — the 37 km time trial race against the clock where the riders cycle as individuals — Pogacar seized his chance and beat Roglic to take the lead by just under a minute. So the Slovenian youngster has just the one day in yellow, riding into Paris. He only had to stay on his bike and finish on the Champs-Élysées to win the most prestigious event in world cycling, which he duly did.

Amazing success

There are four competitions and trophies for the Tour –

• the yellow jersey for the overall winner
• the green jersey for the top sprinter
• the polka dot jersey for the king the mountains
• the white jersey for the best young rider under 23.

Sam Bennett from Ireland won the sprint title from Peter Sagan who had won it on eight previous occasions. Bennett also has the satisfaction of winning the final stage in Paris on Sunday. Incredibly, the other three titles all went to Pogacar. It’s the first time ever that this feat has been achieved. The Slovenian’s overall time for the Tour was 87 hours 21 minutes and four seconds. A disappointed Roglic was second and the evergreen Australian, Richie Porte, was third.

Subdued celebrations in Paris

Normally for the final stage in Paris there are tens of thousands of spectators lining the Champs-Élysées cheering on the cyclists as the pass the Arc de Triomphe, Cleopatra’s Needle, La Place de la Concorde, and Joan of Arc who watches the riders emerge from the one tunnel on the course. However, in Covid-lockdown-ridden France in 2020 there were just a few thousand spectators scattered around the course and plenty of police. 

The legendary event had started in Nice on August 29 and the various stages all took place in southern and eastern France. The Tour usually features in late June and July, however the organisers and spectators were delighted to be able to hold it at all. (For all the podium ceremonies during the 21 stages all the people on stage wore masks.) Even though the crowds were limited in the capital, it was well supported in the towns and mountains of the provinces.

However, above all, the 2020 Tour de France will long be remembered for the great achievements of Tadej Pogacar who on the last day of his 21^st year won an unprecedented three titles, included the big one — overall winner by 59 seconds.

This is at a meeting of the Strategy and Operations Committee although it is effectively a full council meeting as all councilors are members of it.

The results of the survey that was conducted between 30 January and 30 April are viewable here for the Waikanae Ward area (381 participants, and regarding primarily Waikanae and Peka Peka Beaches). There was also a late drop-in session on 31 July at the Baptist Church Hall.

The meeting report dealing with the bylaw review is here.

The draft proposed new bylaw is here — pages 43 to 62 in the pdf. New or altered sections are highlighted in yellow.

Points worth noting as far as Waikanae and Peka Peka Beach are concerned are:

• 6.3 – restrictions on where longline fishing can be done
• 7. – boat launch and retrieval sites specified as at the Waikanae Boating Club and Peka Peka Beach at the end of Peka Peka Road (in practical terms there is no change)
• No land yachts except between the north bank of the Waimeha Stream and the beach access point at Ollivier Grove.
• 16. Parking on the beach: basically it is very limited.
• 17.1 (a-c) No horses between the Waikanae Boating Club and Waimeha Stream between 15 December and 15 February.

The proposed electronic gate at the top of the ramp leading to the beach has been mentioned before. It would effectively prevent cars getting on Waikanae Beach, although the keen could still drive down from the Peka Peka Road entrance.

A formal consultation period on the adopted changes is set down for 12 October to 13 November.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. –Luke 12.27

By Roger Childs

Last weekend we were in Christchurch catching up with family and friends. It was great time to go, because in a city that has been through so much in recent years, springtime is probably more vivid and vibrant than in any other place in the country. Hagley Park is the show piece, as there are thousands of daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells flowering along the many grassy verges. Then there are the cherry tree blossoms, especially on either side of Harper Avenue which runs through North Hagley.

Another feature of Spring is the variations in temperatures and Christchurch didn’t disappoint. It was 23ᵒ the day before we arrived; 11ᵒ the day we arrived and 19ᵒ the day we left.

The changing trees

From our front windows we look out at trees of many colours. However, at this time of the year the deciduous species are the most fascinating. 

Every day there are more leaves or flowers, or both. Spring is a wonderful season for change in nature as there is new growth, especially if there is a plenty of rain as well as warmth. 

It can galvanise us into the well named “spring clean” and it is a good time for clearing out rubbish and junk, mowing lawns, weeding gardens and planting flowers and vegetables.

The budding and flowering of the trees is a magical experience and always occurs in sequence. Waikanaens who regularly drive down Te Moana Road will know that the roadside trees blossom in a particular order which never changes. It’s certainly good to have some predictability and continuity in changing and uncertain times.

Seasons courtesy of the sun and the tilted Earth

The Sun is the engine that generates our weather. Because the Earth orbits around the Sun every 365 days or so, and revolves on its tilted axis, we get our seasons.

The spring (vernal) equinox for the Southern Hemisphere occurred late in September. At this time the “overhead sun” crossed the Equator on its “journey” south to the Tropic of Capricorn in late December. 

Consequently, because the angle of the sun’s rays is more “direct” and the southern hemisphere is slightly closer to the sun at that time of the year, temperatures are warmer. Down in Antarctica they get their first sunlight for many months.

It’s great to get the warmer weather and the longer daylight hours allow for more outdoor social interaction. There is also plenty of time in the evenings to get out in the garden, stroll along tracks or on beaches, or just have a wine, beer or G&T on the deck. 

However, the coming of the equinox is also a time for “equinoctial gales” mainly from a westerly direction and these invariably last through October and into November.

The northern equivalent

Of course north of the Equator in America, Britain, northern Asia and Europe – they are into autumn (appropriately called The Fall in Canada and the US), and their spring will come late March and early April. This is when the overhead sun is “travelling” north from the Equator.

English Poet Robert Browning, while he was in Italy, put the start of Spring into verse in Home-thoughts, from Abroad:

O, to be in England
Now that April ‘s there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England — now!

This is an excerpt from a recent article from coranz.org.nz which deserves its own highlighting I felt. Bribery & targeting of the one or two owners is a time worn tactic of the authorities. EWR _____________________________________________________________________ “Private lands, which often have numerous owners, are being targeted for 1080 drops by Ospri, DOC and regional councils. […]

Private lands are being targeted for 1080 drops by Ospri, DOC and Regional Councils with questionable means of obtaining consents of only one or two owners among the many — Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch

While Barrett’s late heroics sealed the win, it was Lachlan Boshier who was the difference-maker. Christopher Rieve, NZ Herald, 19 September 2020

Taranaki wrest the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury

By Roger Childs

Affectionately known as the “Log o’ Wood” the shield has traditionally been the measure of provincial rugby supremacy. Governor General Lord Ranfurly presented the shield to the Auckland province who had the best match record in the 1902 season. From then on any province could win the trophy if they beat the holders on their home ground. There have been some epic battles over the last 118 years, and the last time Taranaki and Canterbury met, in October 2017, the yellow and blacks came from 7-31 down to win in the biggest total score ever, 55-43. 

On Saturday the two teams met again in what was a classic “game of two halves”. Taranaki scored three tries in the first half to lead 20-3 at half time and Canterbury scored three tries in the second half ahead to go ahead 22-20 with 10 minutes to go. Then Jordie Barrett kicked a long penalty from near half way in the 73^rd minute to give the visitors the win by 23-22. 

First half – all Taranaki

The yellow and blacks score three excellent tries – two of which resulting from Barrett brothers magic.  After an early score in the corner by Jacob Kneepkins, Jordie Barrettt gathered a loose ball spilt by Richie Mo’unga 40 metres out and ran hard before timing a perfect pass for Tupou Vaa’i to score the second try. Then late in the half Beauden Barrett made a searing break beating four Canterbury players and another copybook pass gave Kneepkins his second try. 

Canterbury had 60% of the possession and had their chances. On the right wing Mansa Mataele made a break on the right wing and seem certain to score, but fumbled the ball. Then after a series of scrums close to the line where the heavier home team scrum milked a succession of penalties pushing back the Taranaki pack, they tried one too many. Prop Joe Moodie was pulled down and the visitors received a relieving penalty. 

Second half – all Canterbury to the 73rd minute

The home team played with plenty of fire early in the second half and were rewarded with an early try to prop Oli Jager. The second try went to Mo’unga who strode through a yawning gap in an otherwise tight Taranaki defence and the third try in the 70^th minute resulted from a superb long pass from half-back Mitchell Drummond to replacement right winger Andrew Knewstubb. Mo’unga’s successful conversion gave Canterbury the lead for the first time. It look as if the shield would remain in Christchurch, but then Jordie Barrett stepped up for the match-winning penalty. 

As the score indicates it was a close game and both sides tackled strongly and had an even battle in the forwards. Taranaki were quicker to the loose ball in the first half and the reverse was the case in the second. However the difference was probably “ man of the match” Taranaki’s loose forward Lachlan Boshier who won many turnovers and crucially one with two minutes to go which gave the under pressure Taranaki team a much needed penalty. 

So the log o’ wood heads north, and from now on teams playing Taranaki at home have their chance to win the shield.

Copied from a private Facebook page; FB is now censoring open posts on this topic (among others) whether because it has its own agenda, government threats, or both. Thanks to Carol Sawyer for sending it.

“Dear Mr [Matt] Hancock,

I have a degree in Biochemistry & Toxicology and a research based PhD in pharmacology. I have spent 32 years working in pharmaceutical R&D, mostly in new medicines for disorders of lung & skin. I was a VP at Pfizer & CEO of a biotech I founded (Ziarco — acquired by Novartis). I’m knowledgeable about new medicine R&D.I have read the consultation document. I’ve rarely been as shocked & upset.

All vaccines against the SARS-COV-2 virus are by definition novel. No candidate vaccine has been in development for more than a few months. If any such vaccine is approved for use under any circumstances that are not EXPLICITLY experimental, I believe that recipients are being misled to a criminal extent. This is because there are precisely zero human volunteers for whom there could possibly be more than a few months past-dose safety information.

My concern does not arise because I have negative views about vaccines (I don’t), Instead, it’s the very principle that politicians seem ready to waive that new medical interventions at this, incomplete state of development- should not be made available to subjects on anything other than an explicitly experimental basis. That’s my concern.

And the reason for that concern is that it is not known what the safety profile will be, six months or a year or longer after dosing. You have literally no data on this & neither does anyone else.

It isn’t that I’m saying that unacceptable adverse effects will emerge after longer intervals after dosing. No: it is that you have no idea what will happen yet, despite this, you’ll be creating the impression that you do.

Several of the vaccine candidates utilise novel technology which have not previously been used to create vaccines. There is therefore no long term safety data which can be pointed to in support of the notion that it’s reasonable to expedite development & to waive absent safety information on this occasion.

I am suspicious of the motives of those proposing expedited use in the wider human population. We now understand who is at particularly elevated risk of morbidity & mortality from acquiring this virus. Volunteers from these groups only should be provided detailed information about risk / benefit, including the sole point I make here. Only if informed consent is given should any EXPERIMENTAL vaccine be used.

I don’t trust you. You’ve not been straightforward & have behaved appallingly throughout this crisis. You’re still doing it now, misleading about infection risk from young children. Why should I believe you in relation to experimental vaccines?

Dr Michael Yeardon”

Tuesday 22 September

at 7.30pm

• Kapiti Uniting Church Meeting Room

• 10 Weka Road, Raumati Beach.

• Enter through the main church door.

• All welcome. Gold coin koha thanks.

Anthony Dreaver on

The Otaki Health Camp

A council media release follows below. Although it was announced initially that both vacancies could be filled simultaneously with the same electoral timeline, the council (most likely boss W. Maxwell) made a stuff-up. Thus there is now a new timeline which means the WCB has only its remaining 2 elected members plus Cr Prvanov until 16 December.

__________________________________________________________

Two vacancies to be filled on Waikanae Community Board

The formal resignation of Waikanae Community Board member Jill Griggs has been received by Kāpiti Coast District Council today (Friday, 18 September).

This means there are now two vacancies on the Board following the earlier resignation of former Board member Geoffrey Churchman. A fresh notice will be issued to enable the two seats to be filled in one election.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Electoral Officer Katrina Shieffelbein said under section 120 of the Local Electoral Act, 2001 the Council must hold a by-election within the next 89 days.

“We will be starting this process again and calling for nominations for the second vacant seat early next week,” Ms Shieffelbein says.

“We received five nominations for the seat left vacant by Mr Churchman and those candidates will remain.”

Ms Shieffelbein says there has been strong interest in standing for the Board which is encouraging for local democracy.

“Now with a second seat vacant I encourage those who have been thinking about standing to take the leap.

“Community Boards are an important part of local democracy so we encourage anyone who has an interest in representing the interests of, and advocating on behalf of, the Waikanae community to get in touch.”

The new by-election timeframe is outlined in the below table. Visit https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/byelection2020 for more information and to find nomination forms.

Tuesday 22 September 2020	Candidate Nominations open
Tuesday 20 October 2020	Candidate Nominations close 12 Noon
Monday 23 November to Thurs 26 November 2020	Delivery of voting documents
Monday 23 November to Noon Wednesday 16 December 2020	Voting papers returned to the electoral officer(via post, or official drop box/collection point)
Wednesday 16 December 2020	Election Day – voting closes 12 Noon