Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Tortoise visits own exhibition
It’s a rare occasion indeed when a visitor at a museum gets to see an exhibition about themselves and even rarer when that exhibition celebrates events that occurred over 100 years ago, during World War 1, when Torty the tortoise met a Kiwi soldier who ultimately brought her back to New Zealand.
“Torty the tortoise is well over a hundred years old and had been taken care of by three generations of the same family. She was brought to New Zealand by Stewart Little, a stretcher bearer who cared for her in Greece after she was run over by a French gun cart. He shipped her home in his rucksack in 1916.
“After Stewart Little died, Torty was cared for by his son and daughter-in-law. After their deaths, Little’s late grandson and his wife Christine Little took on caring duties.
“Christine Little took Torty on an impromptu visit to see Te Papa’s Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibition, which featured a replica of the tortoise. ‘We thought we would just pop into Te Papa and see if we could grab a photo with her replica. But she caused quite a sensation, and the next thing we had many staff and lots of members of the public very interested to meet her.’ If Torty could talk, Christine Little thinks she might want to thank Stuart Little for the kindness he showed lifting her out of the mud that day in Greece.” (Source: “Torty the tortoise, who survived World War I, sees Te Papa exhibit which tells her story,” March 31, www.stuff.co.nz).
5 stars – just a lovely tale of connection, history, and longevity. Total upside!
Astronauts break distance record
It’s been a long time since NASA astronauts have ventured to the moon. Artemis II’s launch last week was watched live by millions and its journey has been eagerly followed. In the process it has also broke a distance record – one that has stood since the 1970s.
“With the moon now filling their windows, the Artemis II astronauts have kicked off their lunar flyby, taking in magnificent views of the far side never before witnessed while setting a new distance record for humanity. The six-hour flyby is the highlight of Nasa’s first return to the moon since the Apollo era with three Americans and one Canadian — a step toward landing boot prints near the moon’s south pole in just two years. First came a prize — and bragging rights — for Artemis II.
“Less than an hour before kicking off the fly-around and intense lunar observations, the four astronauts surpassed the distance record of 400,171 kilometres set by Apollo 13 in April 1970. They kept going, hurtling ever farther from Earth. Before it was all over, Mission Control expected Artemis II to beat the old record by more than 6600 kilometres.” (Source: “Watch: Astronauts in tears after Artemis breaks historic record on way to moon,” by Marcia Dunn, April 7, www.stuff.co.nz).
5 stars – while the mission still has a few days left, it is still incredible to see what human beings can achieve when they are focused on the good. Fantastic!
Distance swimmer beats record
Starting at North Cape in early January, distance swimmer Jono Ridler recently finished an epic swim of the East Coast of the North Island on Wellington’s waterfront. Using only googles, togs, and cap (and no wetsuit) Jono was swimming to raise awareness about bottom trawling in New Zealand.
“The swim sets a new world record for the longest unassisted staged swim. Ridler partnered with marine conservation group LiveOcean, launching a petition against bottom trawling fishing, which has now been signed by more than 66,000 people. His swim included swarms of jellyfish, battling sunburn, and more than 120 stops between his swimming shifts for rests and community stopovers to raise awareness.
“Finishing the journey was an amazing day,’ he said ‘Just seeing everybody out on the boardwalk, all of the boats out today, the welcome coming into the lagoon here It’s an incredible end to what has been an incredible adventure, and I’m still kind of pinching myself a little bit with some of the moments that I’ve been able to experience today.'” (Source: “Anti-bottom trawling long distance swimmer breaks world record, arrives in Wellington,” April 4, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – great endurance and for a cause too. Great stuff!
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