August 23. Day 235. Bucketing down

It is often quoted that there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing choices. Bad clothing choices, it has to be said, are frequent. Why, for example, is wearing skirts and shorts so short that the world is your gynaecologist a thing? And why do young women who wear such material strips disguised as clothing feel the need to team them with shoes so high they can't walk in them? This is either a mystery of life or me showing my age or most likely both. But back to the good clothing choice. I have no idea what is appropriate attire for a netball final played in the bucketing rain and strong winds at the world's most unforgiving venue. Many would argue the "appropriate" choice would be to stay in bed but this was never going to happen when a) it was the grand final; b) my delightful niece Cleo sent me a text specifically inviting me to attend AND take photos and c) Miss Cleo informed me the team had accepted the ice water challenge and would be pouring buckets of ice water over their heads at the game's end, win, lose or draw. If the girls could brave the weather wearing only their netball uniforms, the spectators with the benefit of warm clothes and the shelter of umbrellas and shade tents had no reason to whinge. And indeed we weren't the ones topping off four quarters of netball by throwing buckets of ice water over our heads. And full credit to the girls. Not once did they let the atrocious conditions put them off. They played their little hearts out and while I don't know the final score they will have 2014 Champions after their names and the trophy to prove it. Even a bucket of cold water couldn't dampen their enthusiasm. Well done. Winners are indeed grinners.