In a new weekly column, The National's restaurant critic James Brennan takes us along on his quest to get fit. Today, we learn the gym pool is not devoid of pitfalls.
As the summer drags on there has to be some respite from the air-conditioned nightmare known as staying indoors. I found it at the pool. There's one at the gym that I've recently joined, and although it's neither huge nor luxurious, it's deep and long enough to swim in and that's all that counts.
After a weekend workout, there's nothing better than immersing yourself in water, stretching those overworked muscles and getting a bit of fresh air. There are sun loungers for the melanoma-resistant. And it's adult members only, so there are no screaming children to contend with. So even though it's hot out there, it's ideal for spending a little time outside - free from the confines of walls and windows - without having to worry about any nasty map-of-Africa sweat patches forming under your arms.
It sounds perfect, doesn't it? And it probably would be if it wasn't for other people. Yes, I know that sounds miserable and curmudgeonly, but when all you want to do is move about the pool in peace and without impediment, other people can contrive to make life inexplicably difficult for you. There are only three swimming lanes in this pool, and a little shallow area at the side for people to splash or laze about in, so inevitably it gets congested.
After a few weekend pool sessions, I have been able to observe the various types of pool creature, and now know which ones to watch out for. Like the gentleman who seems to think he's Michael Phelps. It doesn't matter what time of day I turn up because he's there, bouncing off each end of the pool like a rubber torpedo in perpetual motion. He's got all the kit - Speedos, goggles and an ill-fitting swimming cap that makes him look like he's got a washing up glove stretched across his head. I keep waiting for him to get peckish and go off to consume 12 kilos of pasta and 16 chickens, or some such Phelpsian snack, but to no avail. He's always there in lane one.
In lane two I've noticed what, at first glance, seems to be a new species of subaquatic mammal that's rather less than graceful in its natural habitat, like a cross between a walrus and an ostrich. But on closer inspection, it would appear to be nothing more than a clumsy fat man with skinny legs and a pair of webbed swimming mitts. I've nicknamed him Mr Splashy, because his front crawl technique is akin to a couple of 300lb wrestlers having a fight in a jacuzzi.
And then there's the dawdler in lane three. It's clearly a lane for swimming in, there are signs up explaining this fact. The signs unequivocally do not say: "Lane three is for crouching in shoulder deep, slowly waving your arms around you with your feet planted firmly on the bottom, and thinking about Krispy Kreme doughnuts while inadvertently blocking anybody else from getting past."
But it gets me out of the house, I suppose.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
