PREMIUM
Opinion

Searching for shade on a hot day

By Oddie
Lateral thinking: News editor Tyler Maher's skilful placement of his golf ball on Saturday allows for a rest in the shade.

It was hot on Saturday. Real hot. Proper sweat-in-your-shoes hot, where opening your front door and your oven door are indistinguishable.

Some people, however, braved the heat — and we salute them for it.

One of those was News editor Tyler Maher, who went for a hit with family on the weekend, and while golf is typically a sport that involves standing around in the sun, our editor had a different plan.

Kneel in the shade.

While this may look like a drive gone awry, Oddie can see the strategy behind the incredibly well-placed shot, which has gone right to the base of the tree.

The tree, obviously, represents shade, so hitting the ball near the tree provides an opportunity for a quick break from the sun’s harsh rays.

But the true genius here, Oddie reckons, is putting the ball close to the trunk, as our dear friend Mr Maher has to take the time to get on his knees, lean down and relax for a brief moment before he hits the ball.

All the while, his opponents stand around in the sun, dehydrating and tiring. This is 4D chess if ever Oddie has seen it.

Cows getting the five-star treatment at Tatura

Top treatment: The air conditioners were set up for the cows at Tatura. Photo by Megan Fisher

Oddie went to Tatura on the weekend to check out the set-up for International Dairy Week.

It’s a spiffy and fandangled operation, but Oddie couldn’t help but notice the cows were being looked after — almost better than the patrons.

There were fans set up to blow not only cold air, but also mist on to the cows, while there were people at the ready to bring them food or with shovels in hand ready to clean up poop.

Not that Oddie would ever give up a porcelain throne, but the thought did cross his mind about what would happen if rushing to find a bathroom at one of those events was no longer a concern.