France has done it again, this time the supermarkets have been told to stop food waste.
It is now illegal for French supermarkets to throw out good food in a bid to stop the huge food waste that goes on.
It’s not the first time France has come up with environmental and social laws.
Last year the French government came out with a law that all new buildings in commercial zones must either be partially covered in plants or solar panels. How amazing is that?
The beauty of green roofs is that they have an isolating effect, help to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the building in winter and cool it off in the summer. Not only the good stuff like that but it also gives birds a place to nest!
Now the French Government have made a new law. Supermarkets are no longer allowed to throw away good food. The supermarkets must now donate their unsold food to charities.
See, grassroots campaigns can win, because that’s how this all started. French shoppers, anti-poverty campaigners and those opposed to food waste all came together to get this bill passed in their parliament.
Why doesn’t that happen here? Are we too apathetic? Do we just not care? Or is it a case of the majority of us are simply trying to get through each day making enough to pay the bills, buy food and trying to better our lives?
Of course, for France, the campaigners want to take this idea even further, past the supermarkets and into the restaurants, bakeries and even school and company canteens.
Poor little NZ – we’re way behind the 8 ball, gosh we can’t even ban the plastic bag and just get deeper into the mire and muck and further away from the clean and green.
Will anything change for us? I certainly hope so, and quickly!
Straight off the plane from Sydney and onto the next house-sit. This time I’m back in Papamoa, but now I have the added delight of only an 8-minute walk to the beach.
Have been for a few walks around the blocks, as I do because I’m nosey, and the development is still in full swing here – sections sold, buildings being built and I’m only at the beginning of this area. I have a notion that Papamoa is one of the fastest-growing areas in N.Z. (could be wrong).
Ahhhhh, it’s good to be back on this side of the bridge. It’s good to walk the beach and see the Mount and it just confirms my desire of making Mount Maunganui where I finally will settle … well for now – you know me, can change my mind – might end up living in Timbuktu – who knows what the West Wind will bring.
Now let me introduce you to a really corker cat. This is Quinn.
She’s absolutely adorable. One of those cats who rub against your legs and wants to be around (when it’s convenient for her), and generally a pretty smoochie kitty. However, she does have one slightly off-putting habit. When she’s over your patting or cuddling she’ll tell you by giving you a nip. And you can’t really tell what her mood is because her tail is constantly in motion. Even when she’s lying in the sun, her tail is twitching.
She’s taken to sleeping with me from about 5 a.m. onwards. I know the image depicting this is dark and grainy, but, hey, what do you expect when it’s the wee hours of the morning and the sun isn’t up yet!!!
I’m in such a loving home filled with a warm feeling. It’s a home that’s easy to keep tidy, perfect position to expressway and beach. Quinn’s mum and dad are beautiful people and her dad has a wonderful hobby – growing bonsai trees.
Apparently, he hasn’t been doing it for long, but wow, take a look at these – (and the photo doesn’t do them justice).
I’m here till early November, then have a big gap till the next one in late December – Know anyone going away???? I come with references.
as I packed up from Lily’s home and got myself to the airport – a three hour drive – in time to catch my flight to Sydney.
You know that saying “The best laid plans ….”?? Well it sure applied on Friday. The aim was to be away from Lily’s by 10 a.m. Hah! not a chance, especially as I didn’t get out of bed when I planned to and then, to make matters worse, I mucked about on my computer clearing emails and checking Facebook/Twitter/Instagram etc (as any good social media buff does)!!!
Then it was all a mad rush to get the last of the packing done, the cleaning finished and the car packed.
Fortunately, dropping off my house-sitting gear was on the way. But I did have to “dump and run” which was not what I had intended.
Airport here I come. Oh what a slow trip on the second half. The closer I got to Auckland, the worse the weather became. By the time I hit (oh, not literally), the motorway the rain was a steady ‘wipers on full’ mode. Parts even were at a crawl as visibility was so bad.
And, due to the fact that I had “dumped and run” as mentioned above, I did have some time up my sleeve to weather the rotten rain. Got to the airport bang on the dot of 2.30 and dropped Trev off with the nice man who took Trev away to be stored.
Got through departure gate without much hassle… did have to go into the little pod, stand on the yellow feet and put my arms up, then get swiped with the wand thingy, but all good – I may look random, but not that silly!
The abysmal vegan choices at the airport very quickly became apparent, but decided that now would be a good time to start to lose a bit of weight! – Yeah right…. you’re talking to a foodie!
Posted the image on twitter – probably one of the most liked and shared tweets I’ve ever done.
I still love airports though. When I’m at an airport I’m either going somewhere that I want to be or I’m coming home. It’s not often I don’t enjoy coming home. So airports for me are never stressful as long as I’ve got there in time. Even when things don’t go according to “easey peasy” mode, I try not to get too upset. Stuff happens, especially stuff out of my control – so I just try and roll with the punches.
For example. On the journey back home. As I only had carry on bag and didn’t have to wait at baggage collection, I disembarked fully expecting to be through and meeting Trev’s driver by 3.30. Nup.The Chaos Fairies were in full flight starting at the quick e-passport kiosks. Put in the passport to get the message that the kiosk was not working and to try another one. O.k., fine, I’ll wait till one is free – Oh, there’s one. In the passport goes again, waiting, waiting – message reads – please proceed to immigration officer. Maybe I’ll try another one just to make totally sure. Yup, please proceed to immigration officer.
Now the line for the manual immigration checking had grown somewhat as people had collected their bags and there were several flights in at the same time.
No worries – get in line.
Always an up-side. Got talking to the chap behind me who had come in from the U.K. Turns out he is an entertainment promoter and here sorting out the last details for the upcoming tour of Michael McIntyre – wouldn’t mind going to that show. Anyhoo, he had high praise indeed for the comedian who, of course, we only ever see on the telly.
Passport finally checked, off to breeze through customs. Round the corner – duh! another long, long line. Two officers on checking custom declaration forms …. thoroughly!!!! Many having to go through bio-security.
Then my phone rings – Trev’s driver wondering where I was as by now it was after 4 p.m.
But got through I did and Trev was waiting.
A much better drive home in sunshine. Picked up the house-sitting gear on the way and managed to be at my new digs with cat called Quinn just before 8 p.m.
Did I go to bed early? You bet your sweet booty I did!!!
p.s. – Sydney airport didn’t have a great selection of vegan food either – went all over the place trying to find one banana …. the kind lady where I got my coffee felt sorry for me and gave me a strawberry.
Finally found a falafel wrap to take on board for my lunch – so Sydney was one up on the vegan fare over Auckland.
Time to move on. Time to say goodbye to Lily for now.
It’s been a wonderful stay with Lily, although I can’t say I’ll miss the white fur. Lesson learned here – don’t wear black! I’ll be heading off at the end of this week and, guess what?, I’m going to Sydney for the weekend! Yeeha!!!! I get to hang out with my youngest, beautiful daughter.
Doing the “Mother of the Bride” bit as she is getting married next March.
Soooo excited. Mind you – what a week getting myself sorted.
You see, I’ve been house-sitting for about four months straight (and not finished yet), and we’ve changed seasons, so lots of cleaning out of the suitcase and swapping over the winter/summer clothes. Mind you, it’s still not tropical, but we can all live in hope!
So next time I write, I’ll be in Papamoa, looking after Quinn the cat and hanging out for about two and half weeks. Don’t worry, you’ll be filled in on the Sydney trip – memo to self: take photos!
As you know I like to have a bit of a ferret round the neighbourhood where I’m house-sitting.
And this one is no exception.
You can imagine how I reacted when I went for a walk around the block, literally around the block, and discovered I was in the Dead Centre of this area.
Not just one cemetery, but THREE … go figure. But then I discovered the three were specific for different religions. The size of each told of the popularity of that particular denomination.
The Presbyterians came out on top. Those press buttons, as we used to call them when I was a kid, sure had the biggest influence.
Next – the Methodists. They came in quite a close second, so I’m picking there may have been a bit of rivalry going on.
And bringing up the rear the Church of The Latter Day Saints. They did not do so well converting the locals.
Love the closeness to the living
Now, these local residents go back quite some time and, although there appears more room, I’m picking that the resting places are now closed for business.
So who actually tweaked my interest?
There was one that had me a little puzzled.
As you may find it a little difficult to read – let me explain.
There appears to be three bodies here:
Rachel is one and she is the wife, sorry, beloved wife, of William Darragh who died in 1910 ages 84 – so far so good,
But, and here’s where the plot thickens (or deepens), the next one is William (no surname) husband of the above (assume Rachel) died 1928 aged 103.
So the first William is not buried here (?), but the 2nd William, who we shall assume is husband #2, is buried here.
Then there’s the last body – James. No idea what relation he is to any of the above but will assume he’s a son – died 1938 aged 74. Just don’t know which William sired him.
Confused? – God I love cemeteries!
And what’s a decent neighbourhood without a Gated Community?
Maybe some of these people were quite the renegades of their time – you know, the black sheep, the misfit etc… but in death they must conform!
All graves face the same way – not one is different.
Thank goodness I’ve opted to be cremated, then I hope that whoever disperses my ashes just throws them up in the air and leaves it to me to find my final resting place and face the way I want.
p.s. – and if you enjoyed this bizarre take on the neighbourhood, please give it a thumbs up or a laughing face in those emojis below … I do try to entertain.
Thanks for dropping by. My name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author, and a Comedy Improver.
This blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s World Over Coffee is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.
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The abysmal vegan choices at the airport very quickly became apparent, but decided that now would be a good time to start to lose a bit of weight! – Yeah right…. you’re talking to a foodie!
