Midpoint update?

If all had gone according to plan, this would be something of a midpoint update. But we all know what happens to plans, they change. And ours changed in a big way this week. Marcia had been making noises about already knowing she wouldn't want to leave when the time came. And that there was so much more to see, and since we were already here we might as well... Get the picture? So she called the airline and found there were a few dates available for us to change our flights. And supposedly the change fee wasn't too much! So we did it! We get to stay in South Africa almost one month longer. WOW! Our new departure date is December 3rd. Isn't that exciting! And what was very nice was to hear was how pleased everyone here was that we were going to be here a bit longer. As I keep saying, everybody we have met has been so terrific. We couldn't feel more welcome and comfortable. Thanks to all of them! And thanks to all back in VA who made it possible for us to even consider doing this. And especially to our three girls, your support has meant so much to us. Thanks!! We love you.

There will be a cost, aside from the monetary one, to this extension. There will be no time in Amsterdam. We fly from Cape Town to Amsterdam to Detroit to Norfolk with only a few airport hours in between flights. When we arrive in Norfolk late on the 4th I suspect we will be in pretty bad shape. Oh well, we get to miss Amsterdam in December following three months in spring and early summer in South Africa!

Now to what's up here. I spent the last three days taking a Botanical Latin workshop. Yeah, yeah, I know, who would willingly sign up for such a course! We covered too much in this time, but it was very informative and quite enjoyable. Who would have guessed I would be able to do this. And in two weeks I will participate in a workshop on identifying sedges. I have tried my best to not deal with these plants as their taxonomy is based on such minute detail and is such a mess. But this will give me a chance to really work with these plants and to gain a bit more familiarity. Another neat opportunity!

And to the week ahead. As it turned out the CREW folks will be away in Pretoria for the week. So Marcia and I will also be out of our offices for the week. We head to Beaufort West tomorrow. Beaufort West is in the Karoo, the arid region that fills much of the central to western part of the country. We will visit Karoo National Park while we are there. From B.W. we head to Calitzdorp, which is in the Klein (Little) Karoo. This area is also very dry but is closer to the coast and filled with mountain ranges. This is the area that experienced the ostrich boom and bust. The area is still known for its ostrich farms and for a number of spectacular caves. We will let you know what we find. And then we drop down to the coast and stary in Knysna, which is on the Garden Route. This is an area where the mountains come down to the coast and moisture levels are high so forests are supported. The scenery and native flora are the highlights of this area. And then we head back to Cape Town and a quick overnight before we return to Darling to see Pat and Bobby. Dorothy, Jon, and Robyn wil also be there. That will be fun. And then it is time to go back to the office.

That's it for our news and for what the next week has in store for us. Probably won't be able to post any updates until we are back in Cape Town. Until then, Edward.

Tuesday October 10, 2006

This past week has been a quiet one. We have settled into the routine of going to work at 7:45 AM and getting back to the cottage at about 5:30 in the afternoon, unless Edward's CREW team is out in the field. Then home time could be an hour or so later!

I am working hard on a database for GISP, finding links to management plans for invasive species that have an impact on endemic plants. This isn't just limited to invasive plants that crowd out natives, but also to introduced diseases, insect pests, or feral animals that impact native plants. The countries most advanced in this area are New Zealand and Australia -- at least they have been aware of the problems of invasives for the longest amount of time and have the most complete management plans in place for dealing with unwanted species.I'm spending all of my work time on the computer. I have the most wonderful view up the side of Table Mountain from my office window. Sometimes I just gaze out at the sight and find myself in disbelief that I'm really here in South Africa surrounded by such beauty. It's easy to get lost. I just realize how happy I am to be here.

Friday afternoon my coworker Dorothy asked if we'd like to get together with her family for a pizza at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. We drove out early enough that we could pull off by the side of the road in St. James and look down at the ocean. It didn't take long to spot a whale and then another one right next to it and more activity over there... A fin, tails up out of the water and spouts misting up as one surfaces to breathe. It was hard to pull ourselves away to go meet Dorothy, Jon and Robyn!

We got to the Brass Bell a bit before 6:30 when we had planned to meet. We got a parking spot near the entrance and got out to look for the ramp Dorothy had assured me was available to get me into the establishment. We got to the apparent entrance to realize it was a staircase down to the lower level, complete with a VERY steep and narrow ramp running along the side of the steps. There was wall on one side but no railing on the other to keep one on track. It was one of those cases where I took one look at it and said, "You've GOT to be kidding!!"

Edward and the Brass Bell staff assured me that they could get me down the ramp. NO PROBLEM. I wasn't sure about that. I did want to live to enjoy the pizza.

Well Edward walked down ahead of me to keep me from going headlong, directing as we went. One of the staff walked right beside me to make sure I stayed on the ledge and didn't fall onto the steps. The other guy went down behind me holding on to make sure I didn't get away. The chair was in its lowest gear, but that wasn't any help because it moved forward without any help from me. Talk about nerve-wracking!!!!

Obviously I survived since I'm here tapping away on the keyboard. The pizza (pronounced PITS-za) was really very good -- a nice thin crispy crust. Ours had ground chicken, feta cheese, and slices of fresh avocado. Delicious!

Edward and Jon talked fishing. I think they're already making plans for an outing. But first they had to introduce the American couple to a good South African Dom Pedro. I'm not sure that a Dom Pedro is only found in South Africa, but I'm willing to give them credit for it. It is actually a drink masquerading as a milkshake. It is made of ice cream and alcohol -- Kahlua or whiskey or Frangelico or whatever strikes your fancy. Ours was made with Kahlua. Yes, we SHARED one. We had to get me back up the ramp and Edward needed to get us home!

We had a delightful evening with the Whiting family. However, it's pretty safe to say that I won't be returning to the Brass Bell unless it's for take away!

Marcia

And now a few words from Edward. We had driven down to St. James to see whales earlier in the week as well. On Wednesday I went in the field with Caitlin leading the trip. We returned to the area around Slanghoek but to different sites. We found a number of specials, species under threat, and even had a bit of a birthday celebration.

Albert is a fellow visiting botanist who is working with CREW. He is from Catalonia and has spent time in Mexico and New Zealand, and maybe other countries. He is working on a book about exotics in his country and so decided to come to the source of many of them, South Africa. And he is working on learning English. His birthday was Tuesday and so Caitlin had brought a cake for him. We all sang Happy Birthday to Albert and shared in his cake after we spent the morning finding those specials. Then we found more at the second site we visited that afternoon. All of this meant we were late returning, once again leaving Marcia a bit stranded. This also meant Albert needed a ride back to his place. I offered and Caitlin agreed as she was also running late because of late return. So instead of taking Albert right home, the of us headed to St. James to see whales. And whales we saw! Just amazing to be able to drive just a bit down the road from work and to just pull on the side of the road to watch whales! And more were seen on Friday evening on our way to have dinner with Dorothy, Jon, and Robyn, as Marcia said.

On Saturday we took our time in the morning and then went to our favorite mall, Constantia Mall. Needed to get a few things and to visit a jeweler. Marcia's watch had been pulled off her necklace, but fortunately was not lost. We just needed to have it reattached. And at the first jewelry store we entered it was done. Then to Woolies for a some supplies. By the time we left the mall the wind had started to increase, but the sky was blue and the temp was reasonable. So we headed to Rondevlei Nature Reserve.

Rondevlei is a reserve to the east of the city that is centered on a wetland system. It is a great spot for birds and there are a few hippos there as well. Though the substrate around the vlei, not easy to define but certain types of inland bodies of water, was sand the path had a mat over the sand that made it more or less wheelchair friendly. So along the path we went and into the bird hides we made our way. As the afternoon progressed the wind got stronger and the temp began to drop. Not a great day to be out looking for birds but a few new ones we did see. And Marcia saw a few white pelicans, though none got very close. A rare protea, a new tortoise, and spawning carp were also added to our life lists! We weren't certain what the fish were or what they were doing as we watched them, and they were big fish, but I guessed that might be what we were watching. I called the office on Monday to find out for certain. And these carp were big, up to 16 kg.
We stayed as long as we could but the wind and the dropping temp finally won. We climbed in the car and drove through some of the adjacent reserve and watched the wind whip up the waves on the water. Learned later there was damage in a number of areas due to the wind. As we drove home it was blue where we were but Table Mountain was covered in heavy grey clouds. Not a good sign. Shortly after we got home the skies opened and the rains began. And they came down heavily through Sunday and into early Monday. We made a good choice at Woolies, we bought soup to have for dinner.

Sunday was a stay at home day given the miserable weather. We got our accommodations made for our trip to the east. Three locations with three wheelchair friendly B&Bs chosen and bookings made. We leave on Saturday, October 14th. Should be great fun. I worked on identifying and labeling pictures, and actually made some progress. Nothing spectacular done but not a bad day.

Monday began with rain but the skies cleared and the hacking crew actually had a productive morning back at Kenilworth Race course. Different things blooming (see pictures below), and the rain made it easier to remove the Port Jacksons. If only I had not left my gloves and hat back in the office! After a stop at the furniture store so Ismail and Wendy could choose furniture for CREW's new offices, it was back to Kirstenbosch and the last entries on the latest ID guide, this one for Hopefield.

One of the many Pelargoniums, with really neat fruits!


And maybe later in the week I will be attending a Botanical Latin workshop. Caitlin sent in a registration form for me but we have heard nothing to know if I can go. Will see on Wednesday.

Edward