One of the things that I have been enjoying observing are all the winter costumes that people wear. Being in the Gulf for a decade has meant that scarves, coats, jackets, hats (woolly or otherwise) have not been part of my visual landscape.

@kaa Have you purchased any cold weather gear? If so, what was it like to do so after so long in a warmer clime? :)

@Bruce Soo much new gear. Some new clothing technologies have been introduced while I've been away - like the thermal tights and the good quality puffers and gloves with touch sensetive finger tips. Sadly umbrella technology still sucks....at least I've not found a decent umbrella. Does such a thing even exist?

@kaa Take a look at Blunt Umbrellas bluntumbrellas.co.nz designed, I believe to withstand Wellington winds. Wellington is a place where umrellas are normally only seen in rubbish bins.. 😀

@kaa I second the Blunt umbrella recommendation.

@kaa I have a Senz umbrella. It’s not perfect, but the Dutch did make improvements over the old style. It’s especially good for walking into driving rain/wind