WORLD WATCH
Amazing images that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the incredible world we all share.
DORSET, UNITED KINGDOM
A seal takes a joy ride on local man Buster Cottam’s stand-up paddleboard in Weymouth, a seaside town in Dorset, England. The seal, named ‘Sammy’ by locals, has become a regular sight in Dorset with volunteers checking on him regularly. The animals are usually fairly elusive, but Sammy is known to approach people on the beach and catch the occasional ride on a paddleboard. Cottam explained that Sammy stayed on his board for about four hours and was asleep for most of that time.
Seals usually live in groups and are quite social. They are thought to have similar intelligence to that of a dog and have the capacity to establish bonds with other animals, including humans. However, they are still wild animals, and in Weymouth there have been some concerns about stones being thrown at Sammy on the beach as members of the public have been getting increasingly closer. A child was bitten last month after attempting to stroke Sammy, and a dog also attacked the seal.
In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation’s advice is to take a ‘hands off’ approach to seals if they come up on to beaches – or paddleboards. Adult seals can move surprisingly quickly on land and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. Avoid feeding them, too, as they can become reliant on humans for food. It’s also an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal. A dog owner whose dog attacks a seal could face prosecution.
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An increasing number of studies are finding that time spent by the ocean, and interaction with coastal environments, is excellent for maintaining our mental health. mindfood.com/time-near-the-ocean
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Artists perform an acrobatic adaptation of the literary fairytale, The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep by Danish poet and author, Hans Christian Andersen on the rooftop of the Lucerna Palace in Prague, Czech Republic. The performance, by companies Cirk La Putyka and Losers Cirque Company, was filmed for Czech Television. It involved acrobats, circus dancers and pianists and the story was read by well-known Czech actor Jiří Lábus. The one-shot performance, which took three attempts to get right, was to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Večerníček, a television programme for children in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which has gained cult status and become a major touchstone in Czech identity.
Andersen’s fairytale follows the romance between a china shepherdess and a china chimney sweep who are threatened by a carved mahogany satyr who wants the shepherdess for his wife. The tale was first published in April 1845. It is perhaps one of Andersen’s lesser known works, as the prolific writer of children’s stories is one of the best known in Western literature.
He wrote 156 stories across nine volumes and they have been translated into more than 125 languages. They are known for presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity. His most famous fairytales include The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, The Nightingale, The Princess and the Pea and The Ugly Duckling.
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When the world finally gets back to something resembling the good old days, it’s worth noting that historic Prague is one of the top 10 cheapest European cities to visit. mindfood.com/affordable-cities