Turf Zone – AlbertsTipsy
I’ve mentioned the game of Turf to many people over the years, young and old, friends and family, visiting aliens and even the occasional andromorphic personification, explaining how it works, the amazing fun to be had and the various rewards to be gained, yet few of the people (and other entities) I’m encouraging to become turfers actually take up the game, at least as far as I’m able to determine. Why is that? Why don’t more people take up this interesting, sometimes challenging, sometimes frustrating, yet excellent pastime?
Of course, there could be a myriad of reasons why Turf isn’t attractive to someone. Perhaps, free time is short with work and family taking up much of their time. Perhaps, they just don’t like being outdoors or are just plain lazy buggers who prefer sitting in front of the gogglebox, munching entire packets of Pringles and hastening an early meeting with Mr Death? However, there is a possible reason why people don’t embrace the game of Turf and that reason, perhaps, is due to the entire concept of the game. Let me explain, or rather, try to explain, as I’m not entirely sure I’m able to do just that.
Basically, in the game of Turf, you install an app on your mobile phone, go to various locations called zones, which are invisible in the real world, stand there for up to 30 seconds before moving on to the next zone, repeating as many times as you desire. I do wonder if this concept might be regarded as rather silly, something that I think I might see some in the reactions of people I do talk to about the game, if that makes any sense. It’s the kind of reaction you would get if you told someone you were going to holiday at a clothing-optional resort. Though, perhaps, it’s just me that failing to sell Turf the right way.
So, what’s not to like about Turf? You get exercise no matter what means of transport you use, be it walking, running, cycling or whatever. You can turf as often or as infrequently as you like. You can turf for as long or a short as time as you like as well. You can turf when you like, be it during the day or even during the hours of silly o’clock. You have total control of where you choose to go turfing and when you chose to go turfing. It’s all entirely up to the individual. And it’s free as well, no monthly subscriptions, no special clothing or equipment required. You have total control. All you need is a smartphone, the Turf app and yourself.
Back in December 2020, on the 21st of December, I took my first few zones and have never looked back since. You can read about that here. It was actually the day before when I discovered Turf, when Cathryn a.k.a. ChoccyMuffin, sent me a link to a BBC news article which mentions the game. And to be honest, it didn’t require much thought to decide to try this out. I suppose it fitted well with some of my interests, such as cycling, blogging and photography. But having thought about that day now, I vaguely recall thinking that Turf was a kind of weird thing to do. Perhaps other potential converts also feel that way.
However, there are around currently brave souls 6000 active turfers globally, with over 300 here in bonnie Scotland, many out in all weathers, all year round and even at night as well. So, there must be something right about Turf that suits some people. But what is that something, what kind of person takes up Turf? Well, I haven’t a clue, so I’ll leave you to think about that one. Bye for now.
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