Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

If you’re anything like me, the moment you saw the World’s most famous art gallery had been robbed of the French Crown Jewels... one thing came to mind.   It’s silly really, because at the end of the day it’s a crime. A serious crime. Nevertheless, it’s hard to totally ignore the audacity and romance of it all.   What’s the difference between a robbery and a heist? Whatever it is that distinguishes those words... there is something seductive.    We were told the thieves were organised, efficient, and used specialist equipment. I imagined a Tom Cruise-like figure firing a grappling hook out of a special gun, repelling from the ceiling and acrobatically navigating a room of invisible lasers, any of which if broken, would immediately trigger an alarm and a carbon dioxide pump that would starve the room of oxygen and suffocate the thieves where they stood.  Alas, as more detail has emerged over the last two weeks, it’s become clear the Louvre Heist was less Mission Impossible and more Mission-to-Mitre-10.    The specialist equipment the thieves used? It was a plain old over-the-counter angle grinder like the second-hand Makita I have in my tools cupboard at home. I’d never thought about it before, but the problem with publicly displaying crown jewels worth tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, is that security in the display cases can only go so far. As well as being hard to access for potential thieves, in the event of a fire, the cases need to be openable in a few seconds. So they need to be super-secure. But also super-accessible.  What could go wrong?  What the thieves seemed to have worked out is that using an axe or a hammer was a bad idea. It would have potentially taken hundreds of blows to break through and get the goods. But the museum’s own firefighting handbook lays out the best course of action for quickly getting into the Louvre’s secure display cases: you don’t smash, you cut.    Although they’ve made a series of arrests, lessons abound for the French authorities. It’s shocking they had such poor security camera coverage around the museum. But as more and more detail comes to light, I think there’s a valuable lesson for all of us:   The disguises. The thieves weren’t in military fatigues. They weren’t dressed in all black. They weren’t wearing crazy masks like the ones in MoneyHeist. They were wearing the universal uniform of authority: high-vis vests. The great irony of a garment designed to be seen is that it has become so ubiquitous, we don’t see it, even when it’s being worn by thieves, in broad daylight, stealing some of the most valuable jewellery in the World.    The Paris Police, who has street cameras trained on the area where the thieves parked their truck, sheepishly admitted this week that no one paid any attention to the men on the video feed. In their hi-vis vests, they looked like a regular construction crew, said a Police spokesperson. And Paris has heaps of construction.   It looks increasingly likely the men will not get away with their theft. And though clearly they were organised, this was hardly the perfect crime. They dropped some of the jewels and left heaps of evidence at the scene. They tried to burn the truck but the gas tank wouldn’t catch. The big question now is whether or not the jewels are still intact.    Still, they have proved something. For the biggest heist at the World’s most-famous museum in more than a hundred years, the biggest heist since the Mona Lisa was pinched way back in 1911, you only need three things:   A charged battery on your angle grinder. An air of confidence and purpose. And most importantly, a high-vis vest.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 1 November. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the capital of the world’s largest democracy, Delhi embodies the essence of modern India – a vivid paradox of old and new, rich and poor, foreign and familiar. It’s been fourteen years since my last visit and the economic transformation is ever-present. High rises, swanky malls and residential colonies housing the booming middle-class are mushrooming everywhere. As my engaging Wendy Wu Tours guide Girish remarked, as we were whisked into the city from the airport, “Delhi is more than a mere city, it has morphed into the national capital region.” With the metropolitan population now nudging 30 million, Delhi is a megalopolis and on-track to becoming the world’s most populous city in three years’ time.  Our hotel was in New Delhi, the more modern, planned city within a city, that was built by the British in 1911 and replaced Kolkata as the national capital, twenty years later. In a city notorious for its air pollution, which is supposedly steadily improving, one of the great paradoxes of New Delhi is that it’s also swathed in a sprawling green canopy. It’s arguably the greatest legacy from British rule, because the new city was deliberately, meticulously planned to be nestled within a vast green cover, fanning out from Connaught Place on those broad long avenues. Large-canopy trees like banyans, mango, and pilkhans were selected by the British, while indigenous trees ideally suited to the climate have added to the canopy in recent decades. That sprawling tree cover is certainly a godsend from the fierce Delhi heat.   Delhi’s contradictions abound. You’ll still see working elephants trudging along traffic-clogged roads, as fire-engine red Ferraris zip by.  Handwritten posters singing out, “Customs confiscated goods sold here,” still compete next to glossy fashion billboards for Gucci and Prada. It’s all part of Delhi’s curious fabric. The city is littered with so many crumbling tombs and ruins, most of them are not even on the tourist map. But if you are  a first-timer to the city, signature sights include marvelling at the sheer grace of the soaring Qutb Minar Tower.   It was built 800 years ago by the Turkish Slave King Qutb-ud-din Aibak to celebrate his victory over the Hindu Rajputs. Wander through the sculptural Jantar Mantar, a huge, open-air astronomy observatory built in 1725 by Jai Singh, creator and ruler of Jaipur. Admire the 16th-century garden tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, precursor to the Taj Mahal, which was built by Humayun’s great-grandson. Over in Old Delhi, two Mughal-era masterpieces, the imposing Red Fort (which was the Mughal seat of power for 200 years) and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Both sandstone show-stoppers are definitely worth exploring. The mosque was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1656 and it took 5000 labourers 6 years to complete. Within its hallowed walls lie sacred relics like Prophet Muhammad's hair.   Beyond ticking-off the capital’s great monuments, heading to Old Delhi is like a journey back in time. The beating, chaotic, carnival-like heart of Old Delhi is Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s 400 year old marketplace that was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The market has been redeveloped to tame some of the chaos, including some fully pedestrianised streets and non-motorised transport lanes. But as I gazed at the spaghetti-like tangle of street wiring that garlands the crowded market lanes, there’s no denying the ramshackle, faded glory feels amid this pulsating hot-spot of old-school commerce. Be sure to get your fill of jalebis from a street food vendor. Made from a deep-fried spiral-shaped wheat flour batter, which is then soaked in a sugar syrup, a plate of piping hot, crispy, sticky jalebis is a very satisfying sugar hit.  We enjoyed a classic rickshaw ride through the throng of traders, shoppers and wandering cows, all heaving in those pencil-thin lanes. Girish also led us through the Khari Baoli Spice Market in Chandni Chowk, positively bulging with so many spices, nuts, herbs, pickles, preserves, rice and teas. Renowned as Asia’s largest wholesale spice market, it’s an aromatic head-blast. Shops and stalls bulge with heaping mounds and baskets of over a hundred different spices, headlined by turmeric, cardamom, coriander, star anise, ginger and cumin. Just as they have for hundreds of years, shoppers, dealers and chefs converge here every day to haggle and hustle.   Many vendors have been peddling their wares for generations. Dawdle too long in front of a stall, and traders with huge sacks of chilis or cardamom pods will soon bump you out of their way. One of the oldest and tidiest shops is Mehar Chand and Sons. They’ve been in business since Queen Victoria ruled over them. And it’s a great place to stock up on packaged spices, tea and saffron. Anshu Kumar, who is part of the family that has owned the shop since its inception, tells me that one of their biggest sellers with international visitors is turmeric, powered by the world’s booming love-affair with this powerful superfood and supplement. (Their packaged products are allowed in New Zealand – just be sure to declare them.)   Heading back to the hotel, we also stopped by the Indian parliament and sized up the  monolithic might of India Gate. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this monstrous landmark is more than just a stunning feat of architecture—it's a poignant memorial to the 70,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Beautifully illuminated after sunset, street food vendors and ice cream carts line the area, swathed in sprawling lush gardens.  The great thing about a Wendy Wu Tours private holiday is that you have complete flexibility over how much temple-touring and sightseeing you want to do. Equipped with your own driver and guide, it’s a stress-free way to tackle Delhi.  The itinerary can be as active or as laid back as you are, with full flexibility over included meals and excursions. You’ll be in the best of hands with Wendy Wu Tours. www.wendywutours.co.nz/india  Nothing beats retreating to a leafy oasis of eminent comfort and style after a hot, sticky day intrepidly gorging on the city sights. Nestled along the tree-lined boulevards of Connaught Place, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, is a five-star hotel with serious wow-factor. From the moment you step inside the grand art-filled lobby, you know you are somewhere special. Service is swift, sparkling, flawless and convivial. It’s the epitome of affordable luxury, with sharply-priced room rates that won’t blow your budget. Push the boat out and lock in a Horizon Club room or suite. That will give you access to the hotel’s cherry on top, the 19th floor Horizon Club lounge, allowing you a quick check-in, breakfast, evening cocktails and light bites. Plus panoramic views of the city’s skyline.   The hotel’s arsenal of dining venues is very impressive. Head to Mister Chai for some authentic Indian street food coupled with flavoured tea and coffee. There is Tamra serving European, Japanese, Indian, Thai and Southeast Asian fare from live kitchens. “Lavish” doesn’t do justice to the expansive array of buffet options at Tamra for breakfast.  Sorrento specialises in Italian food with a contemporary twist and Shang Palace offers flavours of Sichuan, Cantonese and Yunnan cuisines. This is a signature dining venue in Shangri-La hotels and Shang Palace is widely feted as the world’s most loved Chinese specialty restaurant. Dining here was divine, noshing on prawn dumplings with caviar; Xinjiang spice twice cooked baby lamb ribs; and the Cantonese BBQ platter. Shang Palace is a must.   Celebrating it’s 20th birthday this year, Shangri-La Eros is not the sort of hotel to rest on its laurels. And with wellness offerings continuing to be increasingly sought after, the hotel recently unveiled a wealth of enticing new amenities. The Wellness Club boasts offers over 4,000 square feet of world-class fitness space, advanced recovery therapies, a 100-feet outdoor swimming pool, salon, spa, and a calming hydrothermal zone featuring a cold plunge, Himalayan salt sauna, whirlpool, and steam. What more could you want for personal pampering? The Wellness Club seamlessly blends conscious luxury with modern wellness. Designed by Dubai’s Stickman Tribe, Dubai, the interior is bathed in natural hues and hand-painted art.    Calming music sets the tone for a serene escape with gilded details and reflective surfaces lending a touch of grandeur to the venue. The Spa has become a runaway hit with custom-crafted amenities to indulge the senses. Signature rituals include the Taste of India Retreat, Signature Indulgence, and a Couple’s Serenity Bath, crafted to nourish the body and calm the mind. But my favourite hotel feature is the enormous new pool. Tranquil corridors lead you outdoors to the gloriously leafy green space, crowned with that magnificent pool and elegant sun loungers. As black kites circled high above in the sky, and mischievous rhesus macaques swung between the trees – much to the annoyance of nesting rose-ringed parakeets, marinating myself in the hotel’s glorious pool became a rinse-and-repeat prize draw. www.shangri-la.com  From New Zealand, it’s just a one-stop connection to a multitude of destinations in India, including New Delhi, with Singapore Airlines, on their various daily services from Auckland and Christchurch to Singapore. Enjoy well-timed connections for an easy transit in Singapore. Across all classes of travel, the award-winning carrier has not only fostered a world-beating reputation for its exceptional customer service and in-flight product, but also its innovation. Become a KrisFlyer member and enjoy complimentary in-flight WiFi. For best fares and seats to suit head to https://www.singaporeair.com  Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hall joins Jack Tame to share her experience with using reusable nappies for her newborn. She covers:  How to wash them (a very commonly asked question on social media)  Her favourite brands - Clever Wee Fox, Fluffy Ducks and Kekoa  Her daughter is 4.5 months and has saved over 1000 nappies from going to landfill!  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time of the year a wonderful Pohutukawa “shrub” is flowering its little heads off: Metrosideros carminia known as the crimson rata; a Native in the North Island all the way down to Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. It comes as a shrub when you get them from cuttings, but they’ll move up like tree climbers when they emerge from seeds. Pollinators love them – and so do I. Favourite food of tui and bellbirds, as well as silvereyes and wood pigeons (kereru). Kowhai come in many different species and heights; there are fabulous, gnarled forms which, in themselves, are beautifully sculptured. Divaricating shrubs!! Muehlenbeckia astonii. A Native plant that could be your new hedge, or your sculpted shrub, or even a suitable nesting site for native birds. It’s all about elegant little leaves, hanging from a zig-zagging system of branches that you will only find in Aotearoa. In winter the whole shrub will change colours to a Dark-Orange that will stand out, no matter what the weather is like. White flowers – and all this is endemic. May I introduce you to the Corokia - another yellow Native of our country. It’s full of flowers at this time of the year; also with zig-zag twigs and Endemic distribution – we know how to grow weird and wonderful natives! Often on these flowering shrubs you will find native bees sucking nectar for their off-spring, pollinating the flowers and creating large amounts of seeds for our landscapes Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata) is another one of those shrubs that stands out in its colour – It’s native to New Zealand, and our local “garden fiddlers” have managed to breed a range of varieties in all sorts of colours. If you want to see them spectacularly bunched together in our native habitat, go to the Catlins: you’ll fall in love with them! Oh – and the leaves are edible… lovely and hot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often people experience sneezing and congestion and are unclear of the difference between a cold and hay fever - very common in spring.  What is the difference?  This time of the year can be confusing especially with a late carry over of winter illnesses. Basically, hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, dust or pets. The common cold is an infection caused by a virus most often: rhinovirus. Hay-fever comes on suddenly, lasts for days to weeks, often frequent sneezing, and red itchy watery eyes, itchy throat, nose. No temperature. Common Cold: Comes on gradually over days, last 5 to 10 days, thick yellow nose discharge, mild eye irritation, less sneezing, often temperature and muscle ache.   How should you tell the difference?  If itch eyes and nose think hay fever. If you feel achy and unwell more likely a cold. Hay fever does tend to occur at certain times of the year – especially spring, or lawn mowing. With a cold often have ben in contact with someone who is sick     How do you treat them?  Hay fever :  It is important to try and avoid irritants : keep windows closed especially on windy days, shower after being outside.  We use anti-histamines (stops itch, sneezing), often eye drops(stops watery eyes) and nasal spray(stops nasal congestion).  Common Cold:  Antibiotics do not help – it’s a virus. Stay at home - don’t spread. Paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and temperature. Nasal spray decongestants for nose Throat lozenges for sore throat. Usually, will improve over a week.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia becomes the first company to hit $5 trillion in value Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, Nvidia's shares have climbed 12x. Just three months ago it was the first company to hit $4 trillion. It's 8.3% of the S&P500 so those who hold low-cost index funds in their retirement accounts will feel the effect of every Nvidia market move - both good and bad.  Five trillion is just a staggering number. You would need to take New Zealand's government debt ($182 billion) and times it by 27 in order to reach that same number. It's worth almost double the top nine pharma companies combined and 1.6x the top eight global oil companies combined.  Amazon fires 14,000 people It made huge cuts to its corporate workforce to cut some of the fat from its covid hiring spree and leaning into AI tooling. Those severance payouts will cost it$1.8 billion. Together with the better than expected results in the AWS segment, the stock popped 7% this week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Down Cemetery Road - (Apple TV+) Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson star in this British series about a woman who hires an investigator after an explosion and a girl goes missing on the same night in a quiet suburban neighbourhood.   IT: Welcome to Derry - (Neon) This new horror series follows events in the 1960s in the time leading up to the events of the first film in Stephen King’s “It” series.  Educators - (TVNZ+) The return of the brilliant unscripted comedy series that takes us behind the scenes of a New Zealand high school. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll know quiz queen Anne Hegerty best for her on stage persona – the Governess.  She dominates tv screens every night on The Chase – with one of the best win rates of any chaser.  And now, Anne will be on our screens in a brand new kiwi version of the tv phenomenon – The Chase New Zealand.  She joins Jack Tame to share her secrets to trivia-based success. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tradies’ Blueberry & Lemon Loaf Cake  This loaf has such a delicate, buttery crumb and it’s absolutely gorgeous.  Ingredients: Makes one loaf  190g sugar  2 tbsps lemon zest  150g butter, softened 3 medium eggs 90g flour + extra for dusting blueberries ½ tsp baking powder 110g ground almonds ¼ cup lemon juice 150g fresh blueberries ½ cup icing sugar Few drops of lemon juice and water  Method: 1. Heat oven to 180 C fan bake. Grease and line a large loaf tin.  2. Briefly pulse sugar with lemon zest in food processor.  3. Cream the butter lemon sugar until really light and fluffy. Add in your eggs one at a time, beating between each and not worrying that it curdles a little, just move along and stir in the flour, baking powder, ground almonds and lemon juice. Make sure it’s all well combined but don’t overmix it. Lastly, fold in all the blueberries (dusted in a little flour).  4. Gently scrape batter into the tin and bake 45-55 more minutes or until a skewer comes out with a few crumbs clinging to it. Cover with foil during cooking if it darkens too much. Cool in the tin before carefully turning out.  5. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice and water to make a thin drizzle.  6. When loaf is completely cool drizzle over icing and serve in slices.  Other good food for hard-working tradespeople:  Pizza using wraps for the base  Fried Rice  A decent sandwich – well seasoned and stuff with ham, cheese, beetroot, lettuce, mustard etc  Afghans with raspberry icing  Bacon & egg pie  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pike River - (in cinemas) Two ordinary women who together stand up and take on the government, justice system and a company that will stop at nothing to protect itself, after the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion takes the lives of 29 men underground.  A House of Dynamite - (Netflix) Radars at Fort Greely, Alaska detect a nuclear missile. The president and his entourage must use the limited time they have to try to shoot down the missile before it reaches Chicago.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks' Grand Slam Tour is due to start this weekend as they face Ireland in Chicago.  The last time these two teams met at these grounds, Ireland beat the All Blacks in a historic 40-29 victory.  Andrew Saville joins Jack Tame to preview the match, and discuss whether or not the All Blacks can take their revenge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kapiti Dairy products no longer having any connection to Kapiti - it's now owned by the French. Should the Kapiti region feel miffed?' Kevin Milne shares his thoughts on Fonterra's mega-sale to Lactalis and how it effects the identity of the Kapiti coast.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 25 October. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was such a rookie mistake.   I was tramping in the Kahurangi, last summer. The Douglas Range, 1000m above sea level. And after we’d pitched a tent, as the sun got heavy and the surrounding hills cast their shadows long and deep, I realised I’d screwed up, big time.   Zzzzzz. Zzzzzz. Zzzzzz.   What made the error so much worse was that it wasn’t a bit of absent-minded forgetfulness. I’d carefully considered my options before loading my pack. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten to bring long johns or pants. It’s that I’d *chosen* not to pack them. Up top I had a poly-prop, jumper and jacket. But down bottom I had shorts… and that was it.   Zzzzz. Zzzzzzzz.   The only way to keep sandflies from biting is to keep moving. And the last thing you feel like doing after 8 or 10 hours of steady climbing… is keep moving. As if to wallow in my own stupidity, I ended up treading a middle ground. Moving just enough so as not to rest, but not enough to stop the sandflies from completely devouring me.   Still, I’ve had worse experiences with them. I’ll not forget my night at the mouth of the Heaphy River, where the swarms were so thick they hung in the skies like pockets of buzzing black smoke. Walking by, you had to make sure to close your mouth so as not to catch a bit of extra protein.   And you know what? I’d still take a sandfly over a biting gnat. I once chose to visit one of Utah’s national parks on a Sunday in the middle of biting gnat season. The locals call them ‘moose flies’ which I suppose could be cos’ they hang around moose, or just as feasibly in my experience because the gnats are a comparable size.  It wasn’t just the itching that killed me, though. My bare legs were soon covered in blood. I returned to Salt Lake City to discover every pharmacy closed for the rest of the weekend and spent the night lying in a tepid bath, trying to stave off shock.   Often it’s the obvious downside to natural beauty. If it’s a beautiful natural landscape… there will be something that’ll give you an itchy bite.  At least there’s one place on Earth you could still safely wear shorts.  Sure, you might be a bit nippy striding down the streets of Reykjavik in your stubbies, but at the very least you could be sure there were no sandflies. There were no biting gnats. No midges. No moose flies. No mozzies.   That was at least, until this week.   Scientists have confirmed that for the first time, the World’s deadliest creature has reached the last country on Earth. Iceland officially has mosquitoes.   And while sure, Iceland is not the Amazon. They’re not at risk of a Dengue Fever outbreak, You can still safely leave the Deet at home.   The truth is that the discover probably represents more than just an ecological quirk.   At an individual level, sure, it’s a potential nuisance. But what confirming mosquitoes in Iceland says about the state of the planet is probably far more serious.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Widow by John Grisham  The new incredible legal thriller and first ever who-dunnit from John Grisham. She needs a lawyer. He needs a payday. Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer struggling with debt, gambling issues and an impending divorce.  Last One Out by Jane Harper  He had been here, that was clear from the marks in the dust. And he had been alone. In a dying town, Ro Crowley waits for her son on the evening of his 21st birthday. But Sam never comes home.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to grand gestures, painting your entire city in the one colour is quite something. So much for painting the town red. How about pink? Jaipur beckons as one of India’s most enchanting destinations, where the Old City is harmoniously bathed in the same pink hue. The elegant capital of Rajasthan was painted in pink stucco in 1876 to welcome Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, who was the son of Queen Victoria and later became King Edward VII. Jaipur’s Maharaja chose the colour because pink symbolises hospitality in Rajput culture, and the gesture impressed the Prince so much that he nicknamed the city the "Pink City." The name – and the stucco - has stuck ever since. A year later, a law mandated that all future buildings in the Old City must be painted pink. As I swept into Jaipur on a private holiday Wendy Wu Tours, there’s no denying how that welcoming palette sweetly seduces even the most jaded of travellers. Jaipur effortlessly casts you under its spell, as you delve into its rich history and treasury of enticements. There is an unmistakeable magic about the place. Nearly 300 years ago, an enlightened maharajah with a penchant for jewels and a keen eye for architecture built this planned city, wedged between the arid hills of northwest India. Built in the form of a rectangle, Jaipur was divided into nine blocks, seven for public use and two reserved for the state’s most prestigious palaces and buildings. The entire city was girdled by a formidable protective wall. Called Jaipur after the city’s founder, Jai Singh II, the planned city soon gave rise to astonishing royal palaces and vast workshops of artisans recruited to establish a new commercial hub. These days, gem cutters, jewellery designers and garment-makers are still doing a flourishing trade in Jaipur. And the royals still occupy a wing of the majestic City Palace, while gleaming mid-rise towers and a new subway system anchor Jaipur’s forward march. But for all the contemporary progress, it’s the architectural grandeur, proud sense of place and thriving craftwork traditions that make this destination so infectious. Street markets are splashed in colour and handicrafts, and Hindu temples can be found nearly every 100 metres. Though the streets heave with beeping and belching traffic, aimless tourists and dung-dropping cows, there is a charm and charisma to the carnival of commotion. Close to City Palace, my wonderful Wendy Wu Tours guide Vipin treated us to some sizzling old-school retail therapy. We walked under the peeling pink porticos of the roadside bazaars which were emblazoned with everything from puppets to pyjama pants; passing by carts of fried chickpea cakes, and marble-lined shrines with statues of Hindu gods. Garment-hunting was high on the agenda, for gifts to take home. Vipin led us to his favourite shop, where an explosion of colourful fabrics heaped in piles and stacked to the ceiling soon greeted us, as attentive staff served us Masala chai. Whether you’re after local, authentic t-shirts, shirts, trousers, scarfs, saris, rugs, cushion covers, towels or table-cloths…this is textile and garment-shopping heaven. As my sister snapped up some sensational saris, I haggled down the price on a sublime tablecloth with block-printed red elephants. The other boom retail business is jewellery, because Jaipur is a global centre for cutting and polishing precious and semiprecious gems. Head to Jewels Emporium’s stately white building and take a tour of the workshops, where cutters shape facets, and men at workbenches adorn gold settings with jewels, and rinse the gold dust from their hands in wash basins. That water is later sold to extraction companies. The quality of the workmanship is second to none, true Rajasthan’s abiding legacy. Jaipur’s Pink City bragging rights is best epitomised by the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds. We stopped by to pose in front of this five-story palace façade, constructed from pink sandstone. Built in 1799, its iconic facade features 953 small windows which allowed royal women of the court to observe street processions without being seen while also creating a natural cooling effect. The palace's architecture is a blend of Rajput and Mughal styles, ornately designed with protruding bays of lattice stonework and cupolas mimicking Krishna’s crown. Could there be a more glorious façade in the world? City Palace is a stirring complex to leisurely explore, peppered with mouth-watering architecture, tranquil courtyards and lush gardens. The prize draw is the Palace of the Breeze, a triumph in building design, whereby the air circulates so efficiently that it keeps the occupants cool even in the extreme summer months, when the mercury can nudge 50 degrees. The on-site museum is studded with royal treasures, costumes and curiosities. Out in the courtyard, I admired some massive silver vessels that carried the Maharaja’s drinking water from the Ganges River to London in 1902 for Edward VII’s coronation. You can see the royal reception rooms that are still in use, where Jaipur’s royal family entertain guests in an ornate dining room and parlour, where chairs have silver lions for armrests. The walls are painted with gold dust and extracts of rubies and emeralds. Yipin pointed out where the royal family reside. There’s a lot of tabloid tattle about Jaipur’s current Maharaja, Pacho Singh. He’s only 27, quite the polo-playing playboy and is currently living in the palace with his French girlfriend. But it’s fully expected he cannot marry her, in deference to royal tradition and Rajasthan’s adherence to arranged marriages and astrological alignment. Beyond the Old City, no visit to Jaipur is complete without savouring the sky-piercing magnificence of the four-hundred-year-old Amber Fort. (Pronounced Ah-meer.) Sprawling across the upper reaches of a hillside like a scene out Return of the Jedi, this fortress was previously the seat of power for the Rajput kings from 1599, before relocating to Jaipur’s Old City just over a century later. En-route to the fort, Vipin led us to the most dreamy viewpoint, on the shores of Lake Maotha, where we gazed up in awe at this hilltop colossus. Brightly dressed elephants lumbered by, readying to carry visitors up the slope to the fortress. I had previously taken an elephant ride up to Amber Fort, but I’ve put weight on since then and am more mindful of animal welfare. We opted for a jeep ride through the skinny lanes snaking their way up to Sun Gate. From here, we marvelled over the China Wall-esque fortifications, the Amber Wall, riding across the ridgelines as far as the eye can see. ( It’s 12km in length.) But this Rajput stronghold hooks in the tourist hordes principally for its gobsmacking array of palatial buildings and extravagant ornamental gardens. In shades of honey and rose stone, white marble and gilt decor, it’s a frothy fusion of ornate Hindu and Islamic design. Amber Fort’s exquisite craftsmanship is best exemplified by the Mirror Palace, or Sheesh Mahal. Candlelight dinners would have been next-level. A single lit candle spangles the beautifully cut Belgian glass panels and mirror mosaics that festoon the walls of the banquet room, transforming the space into a night-sky kaleidoscope across the walls and ceiling. Apparently, this room was made by the Maharaja so that the Maharani (queen) could see the stars at night, as she was not allowed to sleep in the open. Other highlights include the many-pillared Diwan-i-Am, the Hall of Public Audience; the Jal Mandir, or Hall of Victory, which features carved marble panels, a mirrored ceiling, and expansive views over the ramparts of the fort. The Sukh Niwas, the Hall of Pleasure, is another drop-dead-gorgeous marble room that was cleverly cooled with water. Here, the Maharaja reportedly relaxed with his ladies. Amber Fort is a resplendent blockbuster, reverberating with the glory days of Rajput rule in Rajasthan. Jaipur residents are rightly proud of their architectural showstoppers. One of the signature attributes to the city is the fact that some historic palaces, no longer required for the affairs of state, have been reimagined as beacons of hospitality. But I stayed at a brand-new luxury build that is a grand triumph of contemporary construction, fully inspired by Jaipur’s landmarks and Rajasthani finesse. Introducing Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur. Whether it’s for a big bling-bling Bollywood wedding or for immersive luxury experiences away from the heaving throng of Jaipur’s tourist spots, this hotel delivers a tour de force in lavish Rajasthani living, with a contemporary take. It is splendour defined. As our Wendy Wu Tours driver pulled into the entrance, a troupe of Rajasthani dancers and costumed drummers serenaded our arrival in spectacular, effervescent style. Unfurling over 5.5 lush acres, the grand hotel’s money shot is its sensational main façade, drawing rich inspiration from Amber Fort and Rajasthan’s royal palaces. Features include majestic arches, intricately designed jharokhas (bay windows), and graceful chhajjas (overhanging eaves) and detailed carvings. It was thoughtfully painted in the same colours as Amber Fort’s walls during golden hour. Rajputana history and heritage permeates the hotel. You’ll notice it in the materials—yellowstone from Jaisalmer, marble from Banswara and Makrana, and locally sourced timbered. There’s the treasury of sublime artworks, notably including portraits of Rajput warriors and royalty. Peek inside the Rang Mahal ballroom, where the walls are completely covered with celebratory nods to the state’s heritage. It was handpainted over two-and-a-half years by third-generation artists. Delicate thikri glasswork, hand-carved wood accents, and intricate gold leaf detailing abound across the hotel. Amer Bagh garden venue unfurls like a verdant blanket at the base of the hotel – and is a stirring outdoor venue. Jai Bagh (victory garden is the main outdoor space for guest and I was abso

Building on Jack’s love of birds and bird-feeding in his garden – new research shows that listening to birdsong may actually benefit your mental health and improve sadness and depression.  Researchers took people with and without depression and then made them feel sad in the laboratory by playing movie clips. Sidenote – I read another study where they made people feel sad by playing a piece of Russian classical music slowed down to half speed and matched with sad faces! It’s not uncommon in psyc studies to mess around with people’s emotions and then make them feel better.  Then taught people mindfulness breathing or gave them opportunity to listen to birdsong. Both of these treatments led to people feeling happier. Listening to birdsong helped peoples heart rates to return to normal functioning, indicating it was good for the body as well as the mind.  What are the implications of this? Both are helpful at improving people’s mood. Mindfulness requires more effort from a person and learning a skill so might be harder to get up and running in the first place. But of course once you’ve learnt it you can do it whenever you want – the ideal self-help tool.  Listening to birdsong requires  much less effort on behalf of someone – you just lie back and do it! This might be particularly useful for someone who is quite down and has little energy or motivation to do much. Shows how our emotional state can be changed both intentionally and on-purpose, and just automatically  Also birdsong is free and possibly easily available – but you do need to be near some trees. This could have implications for things like urban design and building green spaces near and around new housing developments.  This builds on a growing amount of research showing the benefits of nature-based interventions for improving mental health. In the UK these are called “green prescriptions” – things like gardening and going fishing – like the UK TV show “Mortimer and Whitehouse - Gone Fishing”. Interestingly, there was a recent NZ study that showed fishing was really helpful in reducing depression, psyc distress, and anxiety Media release: World's largest angling mental health study reveals remarkable benefits - Fish & Game  So get out there – feed the birds and then listen to them sing. Garden or go fishing. It’s good for the mind as well as the body! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I arrived in New Zealand as an immigrant (in 1978), the Asian Paperwasp arrived here too. I remember I was impressed by the New Zealand obsessions to keep these invaders out of the kiwi ecosystems. A few years later I started working for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Asian (or Chinese) Paperwasp was still being pursued; unfortunately without success. We tried to create some pro-active techniques to stop unwanted critters making it to our wonderful country and every time some new pest arrives, I feel awful and ready to have a crack at a counter offensive.  So – here we are …. With a real “Hornet” (Hornets are a different group of wasps): The yellow-Legged Hornet. Have a look at the pictures of these brutes: they have yellow legs and are way bigger than the wasps we are used to. They are originally from East and South-East Asia (My birth place: Indonesia!!) and rapidly moving all over the place: the rest of Asia, Korea, Japan, Now Europe, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy Belgium and the UK. Almost exactly 8 years ago it showed its “EU Passport” in the Netherlands; Let me tell you that the Dutch moved rather quickly to knock that hornet on the head…  Good Luck!! Rather recently it was found in Ireland – an island with perhaps better chances to eradicate it. This Hymenopteran is on the move!! Nobody likes this beastie – it simply has no sense of humour; in terms of its dietary preference you could say that this Hornet is as selective as a vacuum cleaner. It goes for all sorts of native insects (flies, beetles, wasps, honey bees) ripe fruits, pollen and nectar, as well as people with allergies to wasp stings. So right now is the time to gather the Nature Nerds of our country and start our counter attack, together with the Ministry of Primary Industries. So far we’ve found 2 adult male yellow-legged hornets in Grafton and Albany – that was some months ago. A week ago there was a female (a Queen) in Glenfield, trying to build a brand-new nest. That nest was still small and light in colour: The very beginning of the nest, made by the queen (a so-called “primary nest”) This nest can grow much bigger as the colony builds up in numbers (up to 60 centimetre diameter); so far MPI haven’t found any established nests yet So, how can we all help to give MPI a hand getting rid of this pest species: Gardeners are usually extremely observant, when it comes to insects on the property and in this case the identification is relatively easy (especially with NatureNerd kids in the household!!) Identification: The Hornets (on the left) are quite a bit bigger than German wasps (on the right), common wasps and our established species of paperwasps. Thorax and abdomen have different colours too. Wings rather dark and not translucent – I reckon most people can see that easily. At this stage we simply do not have a useful treatment to kill these rotters in your garden; I’m sure some scientists as well as back-yard inventors might try their luck with all sorts of concoctions, fatal to the hornets, but in my opinion it’s best to do the following as soon as you find a nest or some big hornets in your garden: First Report it to MPI: Contact MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 809 966 Carefully take a photo of the suspect insect(s) Alternatively: report these pests online: https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest/ Have a look at the Fact Sheet: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=keep+an+eye+out+for+yellow-legged+hornetsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigrant's Vineyard Sparkling Méthode Traditionnelle NV, Central Otago  RRP from $38.00 Roland and Lucienne moved to New Zealand from the Netherlands 1986, ultimately settling in Central Otago’s Alexandra area.  Some years later Lucy studied viticulture in Hawke's Bay and after working in hospitality and retail for many years took the leap of faith and passion and acquired our vineyard. Their first vintage was in 2015 launching Ruru wines under the umbrella company – Immigrant’s Vineyard   The wine:  Made with 100% Pinot Noir fruit this is a very attractive methode traditionelle with a bold leesy autolysis quality with aromas and flavours of fresh oatmeal and apple, fresh grapefruit and white peach. A crunchy texture with plenty of acidity and youthful mouthfeel framing pomaceous and citrus fruits. Nice weight and length, a wine to enjoy through the warmer weeks of summer and very food friendly. Well tinkered with best drinking from day of purchase through 2028+.  The Food:   The default for many with a dry sparkling wine is Mussels or Oysters, salty in food brings out the fruit flavours in wine. Salo, salt lowers the tasters perceptions of acidity.  There’s a great coffee table book called Champagne and Chandeliers (Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hardie Grant) , a page turner with some fantastic menus and matches. Try a soft boiled egg with caviar alongside Champagne, or just keep it super simple with a shallots See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.