Spotted on an evening walk on an isolated beach in Aotearoa #NewZealand

A small human (5?) holding up a kite so her older brother can get it in the air. She's an expert holder, picking it up every time it falls on the sand. The patience and optimism that it'll fly eventually seems infinite.

A man (30s?) with a thoughtful aspect pushing a wheelbarrow down to the water line. He's got all the gear for a perfect few hours fishing. A while later he's spotted in a deck chair next to a low table with a picnic on it while waiting for a catch.

A small group of young humans directed by a man (40s?) in setting up a sand-drawn rugby pitch. He's wearing a bucket hat and has the air of a dad on a mighty mission. Within minutes he has teams sorted and is running up and down the sand umpiring. This is serious business

Two grey haired naturists walking along the treeline on a quiet patch of the beach. From a distance they look like two tranquil, rather pink wild creatures happily holding hands as one of them points out different cloud formations crossing the skyline.

A couple of women (20s?) smooching while standing in ankle deep water. They pause to take a selfie and then one abruptly stoops and splashes the other. Shrieking, chasing and more smooching to follow.

Any typos spotted in this post are lost after being locked in overnight after the sunset gates were closed at this beach. If spotted give them a drink of water and a ride to the nearest town. They will appreciate breakfast.

Things spotted on market day in small city Aotearoa #newzealand

A small human (3?) stomping behind his family, swinging a bag of spinach around his head like it's the world's healthiest morning star. Doing his best fierce face.

A woman (60s?) in a wheelchair, rolling up to the display counter on a cheese truck, winking to the small humans at her side and snaffling cheese samples while out of the eyeline of the servers. Small humans' giggles are definitely giving the game away.

A woman kneels next to a small human in front of a sausage truck. Says "Why don't we compromise? We can buy some sausages and cook them at home so it's cheaper." Small human looks at her for a long moment before thrusting his hands out dramatically, asking, "But will it be an EXPERIENCE?!"

Two women approaching a plant stall. The older (80s) is bent with osteoporosis and wearing a pretty floral dress. The younger (50s) is dressed in sensible jeans and hoodie. The younger says to the older "If you try and steal a cutting Mum, I'll be so cross with you." Older woman laughs wickedly.

Two men (20s?) in pirate regalia selling jewelry from a stand in front of their camper van. Small human asks if they are pirates and is delighted when they confirm that they are indeed pirates and give him a pirate hat to wear. His dad takes a picture of him beaming while wearing it.

Any typos spotted in this post are protesting about the fact that they weren't offered the full sausage experience at today's markets.

I've just witnessed a completely civil and righteous rage against the machine by an elderly man (80s+) at supermarket self-service checkout here in small city Aotearoa #NewZealand and it was a little bit wonderful.

He'd just finished paying for his groceries when the machine started saying "Please take your items" every 15 seconds or so. At first he just says "I'll do it in my own time thank you," while bagging things up.

The machine keeps telling him to take his items. After around the 5th time, he starts really arguing back:
"I don't have to do what you tell me to do."
"I'll take as long as I need thank you."
"I'll thank you to stop harassing me."

On around the seventh or eighth request that he take his items, he stands back, crosses his arms and says loudly snaps, "No! Not until you be quiet!"

The machine keeps going. The man just stands there, crossed arms, chin stuck out. A standoff is on. Staff come over and ask if they can help and he tells them that if they switch the voice off, he will continue bagging his things and go. If they don't, he's retired and can wait all day.

Machine is turned off/down with sympathy from supermarket staff. Moments later the man leaves the supermarket with the air of someone who's just won a war, expression completely stoic.