On holiday with the average NZ family: day 2 Boy bites off more than he can chew

30.12.2003
By GRAHAM REID, Special Holiday Correspondent
Source: The New Zealand Herald

An apprentice panelbeater from Pakuranga provoked a hostile response from a holidaymaker in the Far North when his car kicked up gravel in Kakamoana Caravan Park yesterday afternoon.

Seventeen-year old Paul Ashton had been visiting friends in a tent at the quiet holiday camp but when leaving, his green Torana spun in gravel and stones were sprayed on to a nearby caravan.

"It was an accident, but when I got out to apologise this old guy just went nuts at me," said Ashton last night. "His eyes were popping out and he was swearing at me and everything. So I just gave him the fingers and drove off. That's when he really got mad. Dickhead."

Caravan owner Bruce Riley-Thompson, of Howick, said the family had just settled down to watch the news when he heard the car start up and the sound of gravel hitting their caravan.

"I knew exactly who it was," said Riley-Thompson. "I'd seen the little thug sitting near that tent with his mates earlier. They were laughing and reading magazines and one of them waved at me in a supercilious manner.

"But they've bitten off more than they can chew if they try to take me on."

The caravan park owners refused to comment on the incident last night - the second in as many days involving the Riley-Thompson family - but daughter Amber said, "It was no big deal. Dad was just acting like a dickhead basically, and the boy was kinda nice. I hope he comes back."

* The Herald will report daily on the holiday of this average New Zealand family.

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