City vs Country

Yesterday saw us up at the crack of dawn preparing for a netball tournament.  Arrival was nice and early in order to get a park (in the mud) and whilst I didn't wear my gumboots there were moments when I wished I had.

Fortunately the kids don't play in the mud they play on a special surface that is kinder than asphalt when you land. Spectating is very exciting as players dart around the court in their brightly coloured uniforms and parents and onlookers attempt to deny the weather that is happening on and around them.  Melbourne put on her usual display of drizzle, rain, more rain and sun, and full on sunshine which found us all peeling layers off only to look up at the sky and hurriedly put them back on and grab an umbrella.

Between games I would sit (I am sooooo grateful some parents bring chairs and never sit in them) and listen to the kids giggle and exchange snacks which consisted mainly of sugar laden bars and of course who can forget the "energy giving" lollies.  I wondered if these 'snacks' really produce better athletes.  Some of these teams clearly consumed a different diet as their  players were not only more robust looking than their city sisters, they were also towering over them so much in fact that our reasonably tall team was significantly dwarfed.  I would hazard a guess that perhaps the food available to our country cousins is less refined and closer to its pure form.  Of course they have the option of junk food but the corner shop would have a limited supply and most goods would be home made and possibly home grown.

Now watching the country kids verse the city kids one would assume in netball that because you are closer to the ring (very tall) it is easier to shoot, correct? Apparently not.  My not so little angel is practically pint sized by comparison and yet has far greater accuracy and whilst she appears to be skinny she really is one tough cookie mentally and physically and no amount of swear words by the opposition would ever put her off her game.  In fact she plays harder and smiles even more.

Back at parent central midday had rolled around and my thoughts turned to heading home to some genuine comfort food, No Milk No Wheat No sugar comfort food.  My latest comfort food is a yummy dish that is really simple and is perfect hot or cold.  I call it Spiced Apple Rice Pudding. It is the perfect antidote to a day of spectating and bad weather.

The end result of the day?  Well they didn't make the finals but a good time was had by all, even the frozen, boiled, water logged parents and onlookers.  That said, who's up for another serve of my Spiced Apple Rice Pudding?

Enjoy your day.

Lee x

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