Clara from Dubai

Hi from Dubai

Two fascinating days exploring on a stopover from Sydney to Rome.  A city of contrasts in every way, visually and culturally, epitomised by the architecture where the old meets new, the architects seemingly given free rein.  Buildings reach for the sky, jutting forward and upward with asymmetrical planes and angles to create the eclectic skyline.

Dubai Airport

The airport with shiny reflective surfaces and large marble tiles covering the spacious area, looked more like a modern upmarket hotel but this impression was soon balanced by a long walk in the wrong direction in 43 degree heat, in the middle of the day in the wrong shoes. 

A long walk in the wrong direction in 43 degree heat, in the middle of the day in the wrong shoes.

After imagining several oases which turned out to be mirages, we finally found the shopping mecca - Dubai Mall.

Dubai mall holds many mysteries
to be discovered

The odd skating rink

Swimming pool - Address Hotel

Gold Souk - not many places to wear these

 
 






Decided not to have a ride

Hmmmmmmm

Far too skinny - where is the muffin roll?

Dune Bashing  -

Clara - I am still alive!

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Lawn bowls gets the tick

Hi there


Everyone was in favour - amazing!


















Response  to - 'Will she laugh at me for playing bowls?'-   
Thanks guys - I am encouraged to move in this direction.  Also, since I have invested energy here, it has come back.
And No - they didn't.
Clara xxx
R said,  "Well, I'd much rather think of you as a svelte "bowler" in white than some pumped up weight lifter! I like the concept of outdoor activities, especially those with a purpose.
Kind of difficult to do here unless it involves shovelling and scraping.

Margareto - "Absolutely no laughter!! Good on you.
On the wall of our physiotherapy gym are some classy photos of the Allied Health team playing bowls on a team-building day last year. We had lots of fun at Roseville Bowling Club and no white ants in sight!
Well done


Veronica - Good luck with the bowls! It doesn't matter what the sport is just as long as you're out there doing it!


Wendy - My first response was to laugh. However I'm reminded of a saying - something like "she who laughs last laughs longest" - so I'm not sure what happens to she who laughs first. So I'm inclined to hold onto my mirth - for the time being anyway - and see how the bowler progresses before making any further comment .....

More to come.
Clara

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Will she laugh at me for playing bowls?



John and me - Lesson 5


Hi R
Yes, it's me - learning to play bowls! 
The game summary seemed to fit into 'Exercise with a purpose' for this gym dropout'

Summary - Lawn bowls is a precision sport that is played for the challenge and competition, personal enjoyment, physical activity, the pleasure of spending time outdoors and for social interaction. It is also a low impact, therapeutic form of exercise. Add to that a few of my own - not too expensive, doesn't take up the whole day, and best of all, not too serious or arduous for this granny.  A few concerns were "Bowling is a game for old people and surely that doesn't include me" and "You won't get much exercise", and the most concerning, "Wearing that white gear definitely doesn't turn me on." Oh and one more serious one,"My friends will laugh at me!"

Mosman Bowling Club prides itself on its beautiful
 old building, gardens and its well maintained greens.

Despite these misgivings, I signed up for the five lessons offered by Mosman Evening College to explore the possibilities.   On Saturday morning I turned up at Mosman Bowling Club which prides itself on its beautiful old building, gardens and its well maintained greens,  to find I was the only enrolled student.  This was somewhat daunting, as an hour's personal tuition could be serious, where I might be called upon to perform.  I actually have really good hand / eye co-ordination - I say to G that I could have been good at something.  And maybe this is it!

John is a great coach - quiet and understated, he delivers his game wisdom well.  I know that if I follow the important points of delivery, then I can expect to achieve consistency. 
So, I am launching myself into the 'Lawn Bowls Scene' - firstly with Mufti Day where you just turn up and play on a Friday afternoon, so I don't have to address most of my concerns yet. Will keep you up to date.
Clara


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Priorities and Confessions of a gym dropout

Hi R

Clara is now a gym dropout and prefers
other exercise regimes

Oh no - not the great unveiling!  I was beginning to feel 'let off the hook' but then thought  my planned trip to Italy and France in May, means I face the same challenges but more so because all will be revealed on the deck of the canal boat.  So I am with you all the way but will limit  exposure of arms and the legs to the end half of both, due to vanity and realism.  

Now a self-confessed  'Gym Dropout' since last year, I adopted the idea of 'Exercise with a Purpose' - the concept being that if you have places you need to go, then walk there, or spend time in the garden sweeping my paths and others' paths  in the complex to satisfy my aesthetic needs.  Cutting the hedge, for example, is a great way to exercise the dreaded upper arms and working in the garden definitely helps to restore positive mental equilibrium. I recall one of Jane Fonda's tapes which you introduced me to in the 70s, had one exercise called "PULL WEEDS !  PULL WEEDS!  - She was always so urgent in her requests so I did as I was told.

I am currently writing a book about walks in my area so this also provides many opportunities to get out there and exercise / walk with a purpose along with regular morning walks. Then the 10 minutes of additional exercise  such as some pelvic floor / abdomen stuff, some resistance activities using a stretchy car octopus, and a few basic moves using 2kg / 4lb weights. 

All that is good.  But - while I am in confession mode - I do get up early, yes R, at 6-15 which is early for me, to walk with G.  I really really really want to, but sometimes I really really really really want just a few more precious lifesaving minutes in foggy sleep.  Fortunately for me, G heaps disappointment upon me so being an approval seeker, I do my best.  However, with daylight saving ending soon, it is going to be darker, colder, harder.    Follow my progress! 
Re the 10 minutes exercise - you know what - it doesn't always happen.  One exercise I do religiously, however, redeems  me slightly - ie in waiting for the shower to heat up - with hands behind you grasping the edge of the bath, fingers pointing forward, 20 strong knee bends with pelvic awareness, exercises many essential muscles all at the one time, including the dreaded upper arms I keep referring to.  This is my naked truth!  And the good part is I am still asleep. 

R - I love your new decision -  "I've decided one thing, I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit. I've also decided to approach this spring's training in realistic moderation. I plan to feel a "little burn" rather than a big burn out."  The only way I would adjust it to work for me, would be to make it into a mantra - ie "I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit,"  because for me, it's all about routine and priorities. 

Clara
ps - rather than the 'naked truth', I love the exercise shirts you showed in the last blog. 



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Be like water and flow

Christopher (our tutor - left) - is the water moving?

R
Today's 'Exercise with a Purpose' was better than average, in fact it was fabulous! A crisp clear day for lightwriting, as we finished our Photography course with a Field Trip.

And Auto was switched off, which meant I had to be switched on. Love the photos of the water if I do say so myself.

Clara

Exercise with a Purpose

R
No, this is not me! I am a gym dropout as of last April, after fighting unsuccessfully with extreme boredom. My lack of motivation was made worse by the fact that my morning walks with G weren't happening as my flawed reasoning went like this - "I'm going to the gym so I don't need to walk." (Didn't want to end up looking like today's picture.) In the morning, I would dutifully don my gym clothes, which gave the impression of good intention, but unfortunately would still be in them, gymless at the end of the day.

So a new regime had to happen, when I left the gym without a backward glance. And it has - it's called 'Exercise with a Purpose' and it works well for me, allowing me to still Fit in / with my Jeans.

Today's EWP entailed Wednesday Walk, which because G and I are both around, we buy the paper, take in a cup of coffee, then extend the usual route to include the 'Steps from Hell'.


Then comes the ' Wednesday housework' - being retired we decided to let the cleaners go (every now and then I catch a glimpse of Su and Kim with their buckets, as they clean neighbours' houses, and silently grieve.) But No - it is exercise with a purpose and not a bad workout as G and I do all the stuff that they used to do. What I do have to watch is that he doesn't take over - welllll I don't mind that, since he does it well but he can get bossy and picky re my stuff. Tricky territory!

As I bend to perform a 'meaningful domestic task', (is there such a thing?), I think that is the same as doing a squat at the gym etc. Do you get the idea?

Tending the garden was next, not much action there as it's winter but as I was pottering in the front garden I spoke to a senior guy who was hand delivering local papers, another fine example of EWP. This was followed by sitting at the computer, exercising my brain as I continually struggle with the technology required for my hobby.

Almost time to exercise my right arm for a little glass of wine. As time goes by, I will fill you in on some more Secret Womens' Business, SWB, by introducing you to the exercise program I worked out with the Physio.
C