The funny thing about life is that everyday has an opportunity to experience or learn new things. One would think that as you get older you have seen most stuff but now and again something new comes along that's sparks an interest, a thought.
Up until yesterday I had never met a person who has bought a cow. Yes in case you thought you may have misread that last word, a cow. The real live four legged moo moo bovine variety that produces milk or burgers depending on your preference. Up until yesterday I would have had no idea that there are such things as show cows and cows with a name and double barrelled surname, each part of it relating to its blood line. I would not have known that the cow's mother, and her performance both in breeding and in country shows is an indicator of its price on auction. I would not have guessed that in some parts of the world cows have changed hands for up to a million dollars. An expensive steak if there ever was one.
No, buying a cow is not something that would have occurred to me. A dog maybe, a cat maybe, even a rabbit, but a cow? Where do you kennel a cow if you live in the city. Do they sell cow food down the local supermarket? I really need to pay more attention. Do you take it for a walk?
Until yesterday that is, when in walks one of my bar ladies and who happily announces to us and all who would listen about this purchase of a cow at auction she had made in the morning. OK she is a bit posh and does live on a farm somewhere I think. It, Eleanour the cow, shall compliment her horses she tells us with breathless enthusiasm. All we're thinking about is McDonalds. Hmm. Never to late to learn I say.
I also had the displeasure of partaking in some clothes shopping with the eldest of my offspring. Fortunately it was a short trip but I did wonder at the mark ups of shops who can afford 70% off sale prices. It was good for me as I spent a whole less than I thought I would but I also wondered at the people scurrying around with their tattooed limbs in shorts and skirts with sleeveless tops like they were in the south of Spain. It was pretty obvious who had just been on holiday as their tan stood out against those who hadn't been away. Temperature reading according to my car? 16 c. That is not warm. These people should be wrapped up. 16 in Durban would be a bitter day indeed. It would be close to snow, people would claim hypothermia as a justifiable reason not to go to work. Kloof and Hillcrest would be even colder at about 14 degrees. Swimming pools would almost ice over. Pictures on fb would be of people wrapped up in their grannies scarves, sipping on OBS but still having a braai. Ah yes, winter in Durban is not pleasant. But in Stafford it is a warm day, almost sun tanning weather it is.
I have gone on a bit about the UK since I got here. I have written about how good it is, how efficient it is, how good the road infrastructure is. But what I have not written about is the banks. And since I have been into a few the past few weeks I would like to give my views on these venerable some state run because they couldn't get away from the greed institutions. In comparison to the rest of this first world country the banking system is best described as odd. But let me tell you more about this in the days to come.
Until tomorrow.
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