A40 Farina Club

An old anecdote of Oxford University. By the Cherwell, is a secluded place called Parsons' Pleasure, where the Dons could sunbathe naked. Ladies punting down the river were diverted from there via another channel. One day, this didn't happen, and a young lady floated by, and embarrassed Dons frantically covered their 'bits' with towels. All expect the great Maurice Bowra, Warden of Wadham College, who put his towel over his head. When quizzed about this by his companions, he famously said, ' Can't speak for you Gents, but around Oxford I'm known by may face !'

Totally believable story! Academics are sometimes a danger to themselves and to others - they'll be pondering on some deep question of the universe and step out into the road oblivious of any cyclist (this is Oxford, remember!)

On one impossibly sweltering hot summer's day I arrived for work at the museum just ahead of one such great mind. I was sweating profusely even at half-eight and wearing light trousers, shortsleeved shirt and a tie whereas Prof. Metcalfe walked in wearing a huge thick overcoat. With a grin, I asked him whether it had snowed in North Oxford, where he lived. Removing his coat, he asked me to place my hand on his waistcoat beneath (ooer!). To my amazement it was cool to the touch.

"Young man, you appear surprised at my choice of outdoor apparel," (again, this is Oxford, remember!) "but my house has a large, damp cellar in which this coat hangs during the night. It is so well insulated that I remain comfortably cool on my walk into work. I am now going up to the Conservation lab where they kindly allow me to hang it in their chiller cabinet for the duration."

With a courtly bow he wished me, "Good day to you."

Never have i heard of such a thing Keith! What a great idea that is!!

Continuing the apearently strange dress theme. Think about why desert Arabs wear all engulfing flowing robes sometimes even black ones. While the Englishman strips off in the sun and slowly dies of dehydration and heat exhaustion, if not rescued by the over dressed desert Arab.

Because I had to pay for the damage I created to my Dad's car early in my driving career I had a summer job on a farm. Early up to milk the 100 odd cows, then breakfast, then pick potatoes until lunch, then more spuds, then milking. I think it was about 2 weeks. Anyway NZ midsummer isn't exactly cool.
We had an older Maori chap also on the spuds and he always wore a great thick coat. One day I asked why. Response "It keeps the heat out boss".
I spoke with an Arab when in the middle east about his black garb in about 40 degrees. He invited me to hold my hand over the neck hole. There was quite a breeze coming up. He, being one of the educated, told me they learned about convection and rising heat many centuries ago!
Speechless both times.