Walking in the rain
Walking in the rain the stuff romantic songs are made of and it is ok if only your joggers (shoes) get wet and the only stress is you have one pair. End result no walking tomorrow or until they are dry.
Felt Furniture Protectors
However walking in the rain can take on a whole new meaning when the rain is pounding on your back and the wind is taking your breath away. Oh did I mention the sand! There have been two occasions over the years where this has happened to me and it both cases I became very anxious about my surroundings.
What should I do?
The first instance was just on a beach walk, walking at North Palm Beach Gold Coast, the weather suddenly turned nasty. First up I just felt a little foolish walking on the beach soaking wet and looking like a drowned rat, pardon the expressions if you like rats (the four leg variety) and what were people saying as they sat in their beachfront properties dry and warm sipping a class of cold wine, looking at this fool caught in the rain, however those thoughts quickly disappeared.
Be prepared before hand
The real storm rolled in from the sea! Thunder, lightning and wind, I did not know what to do and panic set in, take shelter amongst the 'She Oaks" (trees) near the fitness camp and get struck by lightning, they are useless for protection anyway and you are not suppose to shelter beneath trees. The run up the beach towards vegetation was a fair hike, there were sand dunes and the tide was out it looked a long way off. Or stay on the beach and take my chances of being struck by lightning out in the open!
My instincts kicked in
Well I did what any normal person would do, I starting running. Have you ever run along a beach with the wind pushing against you, its hard work and throw into the mixed driving rain and stinging sand, thunder, which unnerves me at the best of times? The stories I heard as a child from my grandmother about 'God moving furniture around' never helped. I always preferred the scientific approach where there is smoke there is fire, (where there is thunder there is lightning) and I could not crouch low to the ground in this open area I was next to the powerful Pacific Ocean roaring and pounding on the shoreline like a hungry beast waiting to devour anyone that got close. Water and electricity do not mix kept thumping through my head. A metal picture of me in rubber shoes, rubber gloves and holding a wooden spoon to turn on a faulty light flashed in my head.
Pushing forward with tremulous effort was all I could do, I could not see for starters, what I really needed was a couple of mini windscreen wipers on my sunglasses; could not take them off because of the stinging sands and could not see with them on. What a dilemma! Thoughts of how ridiculous I must look started creeping back into my mind. Why would you even be concerned about your appearance when you think that you might die is beyond me. The mind just races into voids; it must be a survival technique to cope with your predicament.
Will I make it home?
The wind rain and sand were horrific yet I managed to push on and think nice thoughts, then suddenly everything stopped....no rain, no stinging sand and the wind was abating, nearly home thank goodness. Looked down at myself and I resembled a cinnamon doughnut, the front of me only was covered in a layer of sand, we are not just talking about a bit of sand sticking to my clothes they were heavy with the weight of it like a suit of armour. I looked like I had fallen face first into a vat of cinnamon sugar. (Sand in this case)
Well if there is a moral to be learnt from this story it is this, if you enjoy walking check the weather first and have a backup plan if you are caught in a severe storm. So what should I have done? Homes were only a few hundred metres away. The anxiety I felt while being caught in a storm and not being sure what to do concerned me, after all I was on a popular beach not in some isolated area.
Be prepared and know what to do
Research was the answer, to find out the correct procedure to follow and survive in the open during an electrical storm. It is had to believe how quickly the weather can turn ugly and you find yourself isolated and frightened although safety is only a short distance away.
Based on my interpretation of the information gathered, the best course of action for me in these particular circumstances would have been to make my way up to the low laying bushes near the sand dunes and stay put till the storm passed over. And adhere to the following;
1. Stay away from or do not shelter near any metal objects, aluminium fencing, garbage cans etc
2. Stay low to the ground, with your hands on your knees, however do not lie down.
3. Shelter near or under low shrubs, if there is not a building in sight, but don't shelter under tall trees.
4. If you feel the hairs on your arms or any exposed area start to stand on end this could indicate an imminent lightning strike!
In conclusion if you enjoy walking and like myself sometimes find yourself in another location or country prepare before hand, find out what you should do. 'Weather events' are having an enormous effect on our lives today; we need to be more aware of our surroundings and savvy about what to do if the weather turns ugly.
See you on my next walk
Black Friday Light Duty Non Slip Rubber Protector Pads - 46 Pcs 2011 Deals
Nov 14, 2011 09:00:15
Click for larger image and other views
Black Friday Light Duty Non Slip Rubber Protector Pads - 46 Pcs Feature
- Self-Adhesive Backing
- Protect Your Cupboards Drawers And Cabinets
- Sticks To Any Hard Surface
- 46 Pieces per sheet
- 10 Sheets in a package
Black Friday Light Duty Non Slip Rubber Protector Pads - 46 Pcs Overview
These Light Duty Felt Protector Pads are perfect for protecting your cupboards, drawers, cabinets, floors, counters, appliances etc. The self-adhesive backing makes applying fast and easy. Our Light Duty Pads are the perfect solution for protecting your furniture from scratches and dents while reducing noise and eliminating vibration. Sticks to any hard surface including wood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl and hardwood floors. Content includes 1 sheet of 46 felt pads that are 1/16" thick.SAVE NOW on Black Friday offers below!
Available In Stock. |
| This Black Friday Light Duty Non Slip Rubber Protector Pads - 46 Pcs ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. |
Price : Click to Check Update Prices Please. |
