Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Low stress

It's not hot but the sun is out and there's no wind. The golf courses are thronged with happy players. As we pass the Royal and Ancient a bus disgorges a large group of chicly dressed Japanese. Usually the golfers are overjoyed at just being here but this group seem very business like and avoid small talk. They head straight towards the first tee in determined silence.


There's a bit of congestion around the 17th tee where three leisurely American foursomes are taking pictures of each other on the 'home' stretch. There is much high fiving and back slapping. 


The shopping street in town is closed off for the delivery of new refrigerated units to the supermarket. This, in high summer, is what passes for excitement in these parts.


Today looks like it's going to be one of those rare days when the street cafes put out their umbrellas and you can close your eyes and  ( almost ) believe you are in Spain. 


Brave and welcome visitors on July 14 :https://youtu.be/yV0oZ1mD9_g?t=119

Never heard of 'Interoception' until now - :https://www.sciencealert.com/a-sixth-sense-youve-probably-never-heard-of-in-humans-may-be-crucial-for-mental-health

The Odyssey :https://theconversation.com/can-we-map-the-odyssey-how-ancient-geographers-and-modern-researchers-have-traced-odysseuss-travels-287312

A discovery in Azerbaijan :https://thedebrief.org/mysterious-stone-sphere-unearthed-at-ancient-site-in-azerbaijan-baffles-archaeologists-raises-new-questions-about-neolithic-technology/

New worry of the day :https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-07-12/why-mirror-life-has-doomsday-clock-scientists-alarmed/106780618


The unsmiling Japanese golfers all have powered golf carts . Until today I'd never seen a golf cart like this grey one. It can be pulled or can tootle along ( amusingly ) on four small wheels and under its own power. What will they think of next ?: 




5 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Given the Japanese propensity for robotics, that might be next, Angus! As worrying as any theoretical bacterium? YAM xx

Lisa in France said...

Japan does love gizmos of all sorts. (Except clothes dryers, which are highly suspect.)

Travel said...

About 10 degrees cooler than Spain, and oh so pretty.

JoAnn in Maryland said...

Fascinating links today! I’m sure many of today’s golfers will be headed to Royal Birkdale to watch The Open in two days time.

Diaday said...

The American golfers' caddies need to keep their charges moving. There may be a little leeway for backslapping and high-fiving moments but don't let it mess up the timetable.