Wet Wet Wet

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Hasn’t the weather been miserable recently? You could be excused for moaning that there has been no Great British summer this year, simply a few days of dazzling sunshine punctuating long weeks of downpours.

Events such as Gatcombe Horse Trials and the Great Yorkshire Show (for the first time in 154 years!) have been rained off; homes and businesses have been flooded and the shops have been slashing prices on summer stock – after all, who wants to buy sunglasses and swimsuits in the drizzle?

Surprisingly, wellington boot sellers are also feeling the pinch. Ian Stafford, 52, has been left with hundreds of unsold boots as he has been unable to trade at his usual festivals and shows because they have all been cancelled. 

It would seem the only sales which are increasing are those of a 'mood boosting' supplement, which have risen drastically because of the terrible British weather.

I do hope we will start to see some improvement soon – to lift our spirits and the sales of British businesses.

Live Long And Prosper

Whatever next! You get to a certain age and actually start to believe that you have seen everything – well think again! Just when you begin to become complacent, science rears its head and bites you in the proverbial.

According to Wired UK, boffins at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada and the University of California have bred a generation of fruit fly that can count!

It took just 40 generations of fruit fly to evolve and learn the difference between a non-threatening flash of light – two and four meaning danger, three being benign.

Science Fact

As remarkable as the fruit fly experiment is though, and yes I was one of those terrified by David Cronenberg’s 1986 classic The Fly, scientists do have a habit of going too far sometimes.

Like The Fly, I was at the same time entertained and slightly troubled by Planet of the Apes. I read with wonder and a little pride at the daring exploits of our primate cousins in their daring escape from a German zoo.

The five clever chimpanzees broke out of their compound at the Experience Zoo in Hanover using a ladder they had – working as a team - crafted from tree branches in their enclosure.

Simply remarkable. But I wonder whether we would have been counting the cost if a DNA-enhanced, evolutionarily-conditioned fruit fly fed on genetically-modified produce etc .......!  

Break A Sweat

Research from Age UK has found that older people do want to do more exercise, but less than half are getting the recommended amount of 2.5 hours each week.

One in eight pensioners are not doing any exercise at all but many would like to try new activities such as swimming, working out in the gym, and celebrities favourites Yoga and Pilates.

There have been so many studies highlighting the benefits of keeping fit in old age and here at Mature Times we like to celebrate those who keep active through our monthly Alive and Kicking articles and health pieces.

If you don’t get enough exercise, why not try something new? A daily walk or a daredevil sport can make you feel fantastic.

You can always rely on us to keep passing on tips and inspiration to keep you motivated.
 

Andrew Young
Mature Times Editor