Thanks for the hand, NZ!

[Sound of Azure]

Low humidity, hot conditions, and unfavourable winds have led to massive bushfires in the state next door to me, with conditions expected to worsen over the weekend.

Thankfully, our fire services and military are doing an exemplary job containing the blazes in the state of Victoria, in the South-East of Australia. Also giving us a hand are several dozen fire fighters from the NZ National Rural Fire Authority. Thanks so much!

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people caught up in this horrible situation, as well as to all the brave men and women who are combating these bush fires, and supporting the relief effort.

Full Story

(Mods, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place)

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Yeah, I was surprised to hear that there were firefighters from across the Tasman coming over to help us. I sort of did a double-take to make sure that I had heard it right.

But the help is definitely appreciated. In return I think that we should let them marry whatever sheep they want!

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sound of Azure]

Aye. We may have to forgive them for the All Blacks, after all.

I consider myself lucky that my family no longer lives in that area, as we all did 20 or so years ago.

Back to praying for more rain again.... :\

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Aye. We may have to forgive them for the All Blacks, after all.

I consider myself lucky that my family no longer lives in that area, as we all did 20 or so years ago.

Back to praying for more rain again.... :\

We were meant to be doing some paving around our house this weekend. I don't know how much we'll get done in 39 degree heat. The "a few showers" has turned into "a possible shower" too.

Say hello to more water restrictions.

By the way, did you get my e-mail?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sidekick]

Well what can I say. Us kiwi's are nice, generous and polite - we like to help.

Unlike some Aussies (glares at Olaf). Cast aspersions about us and sheep huh. How dare you say such things. My auntie Fleecie is a highly respected member of the Eketahuna community.

I could respond in type about criminal history, racism & treatement of indigenous peoples or how you stole the credit for Pavlova (we created it 5 years before you did, just not called 'pavlova').

but hey, I'm not not going to ('cause I just did) as I'm not petty.

Anyway, wow sounds like some serious bush fires going on. I hope that people are getting out of its way. And good luck to the fire-fighters...

Tell you what though I'll trade you the 38 degrees for the totally crappy weather we've got over here in Blighty.

Stupid northern hemisphere winters. CAn you beleive that it gets dark at 4 in the AFTERNOON!!!

scandal I tell ya.

oh and mods, please don't take this post the wrong way. Kiwi's and Aussies are bred and trained to rib eachother mercilessly. Its just some wierd trans-tasman thing...

 

[Dirigible]

You know the deal, Ockers - we help put out your fires, and in return your boat has to disintegrate during the next America's Cup.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Well what can I say. Us kiwi's are nice, generous and polite - we like to help.

Unlike some Aussies (glares at Olaf). Cast aspersions about us and sheep huh. How dare you say such things. My auntie Fleecie is a highly respected member of the Eketahuna community.

I could respond in type about criminal history, racism & treatement of indigenous peoples or how you stole the credit for Pavlova (we created it 5 years before you did, just not called 'pavlova').

but hey, I'm not not going to ('cause I just did) as I'm not petty.

Anyway, wow sounds like some serious bush fires going on. I hope that people are getting out of its way. And good luck to the fire-fighters...

Tell you what though I'll trade you the 38 degrees for the totally crappy weather we've got over here in Blighty.

Stupid northern hemisphere winters. CAn you beleive that it gets dark at 4 in the AFTERNOON!!!

scandal I tell ya.

oh and mods, please don't take this post the wrong way. Kiwi's and Aussies are bred and trained to rib eachother mercilessly. Its just some wierd trans-tasman thing...

No offence taken here Sidekick.

You New Zealanders should know by now that Australians will steal anything that is remotely connected to us if it is successful. Heck, Phar Lap was a New Zealand horse but you wouldn't know that the way we talk about him. Russell Crowe (although not so much after the phone incident), Crowded House...the list just goes on and on.

Don't feel too bad though, we steal the credit from other countries too. Mel Gibson was considered Australian (at least until the drink-driving incident), despite the fact that he was born in the US.

I guess it just goes back to our convict past! Although I can say that I am from South Australia, which I believe was the first non-convict colony to be founded in Australia.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sidekick]

Heh the one that really cracks me up is Russel Crowe. Where he’s from depends on what the context of the report is. It’s not just an Australia thing either. It happens here in the UK as well.

If he wins the Oscar or does something good then he’s an Australian actor.

But when he hurls a phone at someone its all “the New Zealand born actor”. I tell you, you guys can keep him!!

As for Crowded House, 2 are Kiwis, 2 are Aussies. Admittedly the two that do the writing etc are kiwis, but for simplicity I tend to refer to them as an "Australaisan band", or "a trans-tasman group".

Also there's nothign quite like living in the UK to get you to realise that actually Aussies aren't that bad and that Kiwi's And Australian's are actually very very similar.

Even if you do talk funny (Doona!! WTF )

--

Actually Dirgible I was going to suggest that if we encounter one another in next years WC semi-final that WE get to win it this time. (I’d rather defend the Webb-Ellis at home than get the America’s cup again).

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Even if you do talk funny (Doona!! WTF )

We talk funny!?!

Fush and chups anyone?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sidekick]

Meh, we say 'u' instead of an 'i'. You lot say 'e' instead.

That's what I tell poms when they think I'm an aussie. If in doubt ask the person to say Fish & Chips. If they say Fush & Chups, then they're a kiwi, if its Feesh & Cheeps then they're an Aussie...

I hear the temps dropped in South Austrailia and the fires are getting under control?