Day 19, Level 1: Omaha, Margate, rugby and blondies

A rainy miserable  morning, the perfect opportunity to read in bed with a good coffee. The weather cleared up quite nicely late morning but I decided not to venture to the market. Much as I enjoy it, I really didn't need anything.

After brunch, Michael went to golf, I went for a beach walk. It was very windy down at the beach, but rather lovely in a cloudy blustery bracing way. The rain stayed out of the way, up around the hills, but sand was blowing far and wide down on the beach.  

There were a number of  tornadoes across the country this morning - and, based on the swirling winds and sands I encountered, it's not too surprising. The weather was being a little tempestuous although largely skirting around Omaha (as it often does). 

Omaha - windy!

Thursday in the UK saw temperatures rise to the mid-30s. Boiling hot, and Sam and co hired a car and headed east for Margate beach in Kent. You probably saw news reports about half of England heading for the beaches for a bit of coastal respite - which made for a few issues on both roads and beaches, particularly on the south coast, Bournemouth etc. 

Really, English beaches are not as bad as they are made out to be - but when crowded on a stifling day, not the best. And all the attractions are closed, which removes some of the attraction - there's something disconcertingly alluring about a pier or amusement park in an English beachside town, no matter how crowded or naff. I love it. 

Sam and crew enjoyed sand between the toes and being at the coast instead of city centre - but of course it made Sam miss Omaha and NZ beaches more than ever. Apparently there was a brawl at Margate. 

Re English temperatures - I remember when I first returned to NZ, people would not believe me that the temps in London can get well over 30 degrees. They sometimes might creep up there in parts of the South Island but they certainly never ever do at home in Auckland.  

Oh how I remember those warm London days, basking in a park, or heading for a cold beer in a pub. 

On some return visits over the last decade, the temperatures have soared to high 30s. But it's a drier heat, not humid like here in NZ. I'm not a heat seeker and, like many, struggle on a hot humid Auckland day. But in the UK, or Europe - the heat is acceptable, no matter how high the temperature. The humidity doesn't get in the way. But oh yes, the mercury soars right up there. And it did so way before climate change.

On the flip side - Auckland's winter temperatures rarely get near zero. In fact, so far this winter, they've been mostly around 20 degrees. It's been hot. It's been t-shirt weather. That's a far cry from London and UK wintry weather!

Beach at Margate - taken by Sam, Thurs 25th June 2020

I spent the afternoon writing (an article for NZ Herald Travel section) and with an eye on the races. NZ racing was at Riccarton today - but I now know more about the Aussie racehorses than the Kiwi ones, as they kept racing through lockdown and I got to know them quite well, whereas all our horses were out of action. But it's great we're back in business. 

The Racing Industry Bill inches closer to completion. Watching this space ...

Brett arrived up at Omaha after his golf game in Auckland. 

Spaghetti bolognese for dinner - I think I'd have to rate tonight's concoction as the best and tastiest I've ever created. I had plenty of time to create with unhurried pleasure, and lots of fresh ingredients. 

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:

Super-Rugby Aotearoa ... uh-oh, another sporting post!

We tuned in - good game - Blues beat Highlanders 27-24.

The Blues (Auckland's team that have had many abysmal seasons forever) have finally turned themselves around. The Highlanders acquitted themselves well. Both teams are full of good talented players, new and old. I haven't watched a rugby game in ages - good to get a dose of it. 

Normally would be watching Sam play at this time of year but a) he's in London and b) there's been this thing called lockdown. 

Anyway, Sam's old team, the University Debt Collectors, had their first game of the season today (won 14-13, close game). Sam is missing his rugby - he played a bit of social rugby during the UK winter but of course now it's summer and lockdown, so no chance. Maybe some cricket, in time ... he's a very good cricketer!

Several of the players in tonight's game had newly dyed platinum blonde hair - obviously not natural as it doesn't match their dark skin. It seemed to cause confusion for the commentators - working out which blondie was which wasn't so easy! 

How ironic that people born with dark black hair spend time, money and effort to go platinum blonde (almost looking grey because of the extreme contrast), while people born with fair hair spend time, money and effort to remain dark-haired as long as possible to prolong any possibility of appearing grey.

People with fair skin spend hours in the sun, slathering themselves with tanning lotion (and/or fake tans), to try to appear a deep and impressive brown. Whilst people with brown skin apply whitening potions to try to fade the dark skin tones they don't want. Go figure!

Whites want to become brown, blacks want to turn white. Racism? Reversal?

Natural is always best!