Some weeks back we had a bit of discussion in this group about what
causes certain places to have a reputation for an extraordinary clarity
of air. St. Ives, in Cornwall, has this reputation. I witnessed it in
Auckland, New Zealand. Another person spoke of how literature records
19th British visitors to Europe found it in various parts, usually round
the Mediterranean.

Anyway, I have just read the following article about the air quality in
Auckland and it may help explain things. Auckland is situated on a
narrow stretch of land with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman
Sea on the other. Furthermore, nearly all of Auckland is situated
around about the bays and coves of an enormous harbour. So the
proximity to sea is ever-present. The following article talks about the
presence of salt in the air, as well as other particles. These are no
doubt reflective to some degree. And I think they may explain the
extraordinary "sparkle" or "sparklingness" I noticed in the air in
Auckland on bright and sunny days, making plants, flowers, and trees,
and everything, look shinier and more attractive than usual somehow.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...508390&ref=rss

Eddy.

"Eddy" wrote in message
...
Some weeks back we had a bit of discussion in this group about what
causes certain places to have a reputation for an extraordinary clarity
of air. St. Ives, in Cornwall, has this reputation. I witnessed it in
Auckland, New Zealand. Another person spoke of how literature records
19th British visitors to Europe found it in various parts, usually round
the Mediterranean.

Anyway, I have just read the following article about the air quality in
Auckland and it may help explain things. Auckland is situated on a
narrow stretch of land with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman
Sea on the other. Furthermore, nearly all of Auckland is situated
around about the bays and coves of an enormous harbour. So the
proximity to sea is ever-present. The following article talks about the
presence of salt in the air, as well as other particles. These are no
doubt reflective to some degree. And I think they may explain the
extraordinary "sparkle" or "sparklingness" I noticed in the air in
Auckland on bright and sunny days, making plants, flowers, and trees,
and everything, look shinier and more attractive than usual somehow.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...508390&ref=rss

Eddy.

Well done Eddy, thanks very much. Looking forward to being there again later
in the year when we start a cruise from Auckland, but first spending some
time in the City. Great place, visited it on our World Cruise in 2006 :-))

Mike

On May 7, 9:58 am, Eddy
wrote:
Some weeks back we had a bit of discussion in this group about what
causes certain places to have a reputation for an extraordinary clarity
of air. St. Ives, in Cornwall, has this reputation. I witnessed it in
Auckland, New Zealand. Another person spoke of how literature records
19th British visitors to Europe found it in various parts, usually round
the Mediterranean.

Anyway, I have just read the following article about the air quality in
Auckland and it may help explain things. Auckland is situated on a
narrow stretch of land with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman
Sea on the other. Furthermore, nearly all of Auckland is situated
around about the bays and coves of an enormous harbour. So the
proximity to sea is ever-present. The following article talks about the
presence of salt in the air, as well as other particles. These are no
doubt reflective to some degree. And I think they may explain the
extraordinary "sparkle" or "sparklingness" I noticed in the air in
Auckland on bright and sunny days, making plants, flowers, and trees,
and everything, look shinier and more attractive than usual somehow.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...jectid=1050839...

Eddy.

Moisture in the air impedes visibility so dry air helps a lot. That
happens when it is very cold sometimes or very early in the morning.
I remember being able to see Northern Ireland, Wales and the Isle of
Man from a modest height (200M) in Dublin a few years ago on a very
cold December day. Also, I have heard of sailors taking bearings from
distant mountains by doing it before the sun comes up but when there
is just enough light to see (one guy told me a story about doing this
from a submarine to see Mount Fuji in the 1950s).

Des

'Mike' wrote:
Looking forward to being there again later
in the year when we start a cruise from Auckland, but first spending some
time in the City. Great place, visited it on our World Cruise in 2006 :-))

Lucky you, Mike. Really envy you.

Say hello to lovely Devonport (on the North Shore) for me!

Eddy.

"Eddy" wrote in message
...
'Mike' wrote:
Looking forward to being there again later
in the year when we start a cruise from Auckland, but first spending some
time in the City. Great place, visited it on our World Cruise in 2006
:-))

Lucky you, Mike. Really envy you.

Say hello to lovely Devonport (on the North Shore) for me!

Eddy.

:-))

Can't take it with you Eddy and whilst this mob in power are better than the
Thatcher shower, I have no intention in leaving it to them :-((

Mike

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
...
On May 7, 9:58 am, Eddy
wrote:
Some weeks back we had a bit of discussion in this group about what
causes certain places to have a reputation for an extraordinary clarity
of air. St. Ives, in Cornwall, has this reputation. I witnessed it in
Auckland, New Zealand. Another person spoke of how literature records
19th British visitors to Europe found it in various parts, usually round
the Mediterranean.

Anyway, I have just read the following article about the air quality in
Auckland and it may help explain things. Auckland is situated on a
narrow stretch of land with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman
Sea on the other. Furthermore, nearly all of Auckland is situated
around about the bays and coves of an enormous harbour. So the
proximity to sea is ever-present. The following article talks about the
presence of salt in the air, as well as other particles. These are no
doubt reflective to some degree. And I think they may explain the
extraordinary "sparkle" or "sparklingness" I noticed in the air in
Auckland on bright and sunny days, making plants, flowers, and trees,
and everything, look shinier and more attractive than usual somehow.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...jectid=1050839...

Eddy.

roftl. Whereas some days Eddy, when I drive over the Bombay hills heading to
Auckland for a meeting I can see a sparkle of haze and muzz over the city.
The outstanding air quality haze certainly makes the air at home seem
shinier.

rob
living about 100 miles south of Auckland Central