To be honest, I anticipated the first History tour on Tuesday of the 2nd week to be tedious and boring. However, when Moff, ever enthusiastic, spoke about various events that shaped what the Yorke Peninsula is today, I was thoroughly interested. The part about the native Aboriginal water wells and how they attempted to conceal it was particularly intriguing, especially since I always pondered as to how they actually got water!
I always looked forward to slouching on the been bags in the "Classroom" after a challenging day. I was taken by surprise when Moff actually said "Okay, boys, we're watching a movie!"..What!? and movie? I couldn't believe it until we actually started watching The Last Mohican. We did this on the Saturday after we finished our bike riding.
A low that I experienced was when we got locked out of our Wardli because a couple of guys left the place dirty. We were all very close to being put out in tents.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Highs and Low no.2
Moving into the Wardli's was a clear highlight for me. From all the tenting, I was tired, sore and very dirty. I desperately needed a good shower and a comfortable bed in which to sleep uninterrupted or disturbed. No only was having a hot shower really nice, but also the general cleanliness of the Wardli and not needing to scrub away for 1/2 an hour on the slow cooking trangias!
At the end of each run and the countless push-up/sit-ups I always feel a sense of physical elation. All the body pulsing through my blood after the workout persists for around 20 minutes, in which I feel I can do anything!
The low at the moment is defently having to wake up at 6:45am every morning and get out of my really warm, cosy, comfortable bed to face a gut wrentching run. However, I simply think of how fit I'll probably get for footy.
At the end of each run and the countless push-up/sit-ups I always feel a sense of physical elation. All the body pulsing through my blood after the workout persists for around 20 minutes, in which I feel I can do anything!
The low at the moment is defently having to wake up at 6:45am every morning and get out of my really warm, cosy, comfortable bed to face a gut wrentching run. However, I simply think of how fit I'll probably get for footy.
Moving into the Wardli’s
At the end of the gruelling bike tour, everyone was looking forward to moving into their Wardli’s. Everybody was looking forward to having a hot shower and a comfortable bed to sleep in-as opposed to a hardly-soft-1cm-thick-foam mattress.
Before we could even move into our various Wardli’s however, we had to be sorted into our groups. We had no input as to whom we would like to be with, but we were all interviewed beforehand as to who we really didn’t want to be with. Once we were put into our Wardli groups, mine consisting of myself, Carl Dorsch, Max Bevan, Jonathan Colak, John Lee, Tom Gray and Mitchell Wildman. To be honest I wasn’t as pleased as I hoped I would be with my group, but I refused to let myself get in the way of a harmonious Wardli and vowed to be as positive as I could throughout my time in there.
Moving into the Wardli’s was a complete mess. We had to get our shopping list organised, pack up our tents, ensure our trangias have all of their pieces and finally, move all of our belongings into our bedrooms. That all took a surprisingly long time: about 2 ½ hours!
After all that running about getting everything organised, we were all bussed to Minlaton where we all did our food shopping. Each person in the Wardli is constricted to a daily budget of $10 in which they must buy all of their food throughout their time. Our first shop was our biggest one, easily filling up two trolleys. As our good went through, we watched in anxious anticipation if we went over budget. Unfortunately we did g over budget, but Dale said not to worry as some of the food can be used the next week. Every Wardli did well in there shopping…however, in our second shop, one of the Wardli’s had to buy a lot because they had clearly not thoroughly planned what they needed and so had to buy from the more expensive local shop at Warooka. Thanks to our initial effective planning, we only spent $125, much less than any other Wardli’s.
Upon our return to Wambana and unpacking the food, we all discussed the long list of Wardli rules that we had to abide by in our stay-or face retribution from Dale and/or Moff, which usually meant a night in the tents.
Life in the Wardli’s isn’t as easy as I originally thought. We have to clean absolutely everything we dirty and keep it clean. Fortunately, for the majority of the time, everyone pulls their weight, so everything works. If we don’t keep our Wardli clean, then Dale, upon his daily inspections, will easily be able to subtract 10 points from your Wardli’s score. If this happens, as one of the Wardli’s found out, the entire group must sleep in a tent for the night and “regroup,” and hopefully fix everything up.
For your information, when Dale does his daily inspection, if a few things are out of place you have a chance to go back to your Wardli and fix the things you may have overlooked (unless you lose 10 points all up). If your Wardli is stunningly perfect (which no Wardli has yet to achieve) you get 10 bonus points and get a reward.
Before we could even move into our various Wardli’s however, we had to be sorted into our groups. We had no input as to whom we would like to be with, but we were all interviewed beforehand as to who we really didn’t want to be with. Once we were put into our Wardli groups, mine consisting of myself, Carl Dorsch, Max Bevan, Jonathan Colak, John Lee, Tom Gray and Mitchell Wildman. To be honest I wasn’t as pleased as I hoped I would be with my group, but I refused to let myself get in the way of a harmonious Wardli and vowed to be as positive as I could throughout my time in there.
Moving into the Wardli’s was a complete mess. We had to get our shopping list organised, pack up our tents, ensure our trangias have all of their pieces and finally, move all of our belongings into our bedrooms. That all took a surprisingly long time: about 2 ½ hours!
After all that running about getting everything organised, we were all bussed to Minlaton where we all did our food shopping. Each person in the Wardli is constricted to a daily budget of $10 in which they must buy all of their food throughout their time. Our first shop was our biggest one, easily filling up two trolleys. As our good went through, we watched in anxious anticipation if we went over budget. Unfortunately we did g over budget, but Dale said not to worry as some of the food can be used the next week. Every Wardli did well in there shopping…however, in our second shop, one of the Wardli’s had to buy a lot because they had clearly not thoroughly planned what they needed and so had to buy from the more expensive local shop at Warooka. Thanks to our initial effective planning, we only spent $125, much less than any other Wardli’s.
Upon our return to Wambana and unpacking the food, we all discussed the long list of Wardli rules that we had to abide by in our stay-or face retribution from Dale and/or Moff, which usually meant a night in the tents.
Life in the Wardli’s isn’t as easy as I originally thought. We have to clean absolutely everything we dirty and keep it clean. Fortunately, for the majority of the time, everyone pulls their weight, so everything works. If we don’t keep our Wardli clean, then Dale, upon his daily inspections, will easily be able to subtract 10 points from your Wardli’s score. If this happens, as one of the Wardli’s found out, the entire group must sleep in a tent for the night and “regroup,” and hopefully fix everything up.
For your information, when Dale does his daily inspection, if a few things are out of place you have a chance to go back to your Wardli and fix the things you may have overlooked (unless you lose 10 points all up). If your Wardli is stunningly perfect (which no Wardli has yet to achieve) you get 10 bonus points and get a reward.
Recipe: Pizza on the Trangia
Ingredients:
4 ´ Pita bread
400ml pizza base sauce
500g shredded smoked ham
400g shredded (melt-able) cheese (of own choice)
1 ´ can of spray oil
1. Allow flame to ignite.
2. Place Trangia lid on top of flame. Allow top of lid to be placed in juxtaposition with flame.
3. Spray liberally with oil, as to prevent burning of bread.
4. Take one piece of Pita bread and spread with pizza base sauce, then sprinkle with ham and top with cheese.
5. Transfer pizza onto Trangia lid.
6. Cover pizza with bowl.
7. Allow the pizza to cook, moving base occasionally, apply more oil if required.
8. Shift Pita bread off flame when cheese has melted.
9. Eat.
Best served warm.
4 ´ Pita bread
400ml pizza base sauce
500g shredded smoked ham
400g shredded (melt-able) cheese (of own choice)
1 ´ can of spray oil
1. Allow flame to ignite.
2. Place Trangia lid on top of flame. Allow top of lid to be placed in juxtaposition with flame.
3. Spray liberally with oil, as to prevent burning of bread.
4. Take one piece of Pita bread and spread with pizza base sauce, then sprinkle with ham and top with cheese.
5. Transfer pizza onto Trangia lid.
6. Cover pizza with bowl.
7. Allow the pizza to cook, moving base occasionally, apply more oil if required.
8. Shift Pita bread off flame when cheese has melted.
9. Eat.
Best served warm.
Novel Setting and Style
Book Report Continued
Novel: Eragon
Here I will talk about the style and setting in which the novel Eragon is written in. Style means the way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed: a style of speech and writing. In my opinion Eragon was not a particularly difficult read. The language flowed easily and although there were some words that left me dumbfounded. However, as I read on, the context in which the word was used was easy enough to take a rough, often accurate guess at what the confusing word meant. This I liked because I believe if you need a to pick up a dictionary whilst reading any novel, its not worth reading. Not in a negative way, I think if that is the case the novel too hard and for you and is made even harder when you’re constantly re-starting.
From this I have gathered that this novel is intended for competent readers of around 13-16 years, although some keen fantasy reading adults would also get and entertaining and educational read.
As I briefly mentioned in my introduction of Eragon, the time that all of the events in this novel is taking place is anywhere between 1300-1500 AD, where the use of mail armour and shields was common. The various peasants of Alagaesia all live in small huts, with a kitchen and an appropriate amount of bedrooms. Immediately outside their houses are their farms, where they grow enough crops just to get them through each harshly cold winter. The peasants, (including Eragon and his family) often struggle financially and so often die of starvation and other various means. This lack of money and food forces Eragon to go out and solo hunt for their winter’s meat.
This way of life was very commonly found in the middle ages, albeit all of the magical things merged into the story!
The above setting and style appeals very much to my reading style. I like to read fast, devoid of disruption and I am genuinely interested in the middle age era. The weapons, armour, castles and way of life intrigues me. I often sit and think about how hard life would have been like back then.
Moreover, many of my classmates who are of similar age to me have read, are reading, or a planning to read Eragon and the other books of the Inheritance Series. I strongly suggest to all those who like fantasy crossed with action novels to give this one a go if you haven’t already…
Novel: Eragon
Here I will talk about the style and setting in which the novel Eragon is written in. Style means the way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed: a style of speech and writing. In my opinion Eragon was not a particularly difficult read. The language flowed easily and although there were some words that left me dumbfounded. However, as I read on, the context in which the word was used was easy enough to take a rough, often accurate guess at what the confusing word meant. This I liked because I believe if you need a to pick up a dictionary whilst reading any novel, its not worth reading. Not in a negative way, I think if that is the case the novel too hard and for you and is made even harder when you’re constantly re-starting.
From this I have gathered that this novel is intended for competent readers of around 13-16 years, although some keen fantasy reading adults would also get and entertaining and educational read.
As I briefly mentioned in my introduction of Eragon, the time that all of the events in this novel is taking place is anywhere between 1300-1500 AD, where the use of mail armour and shields was common. The various peasants of Alagaesia all live in small huts, with a kitchen and an appropriate amount of bedrooms. Immediately outside their houses are their farms, where they grow enough crops just to get them through each harshly cold winter. The peasants, (including Eragon and his family) often struggle financially and so often die of starvation and other various means. This lack of money and food forces Eragon to go out and solo hunt for their winter’s meat.
This way of life was very commonly found in the middle ages, albeit all of the magical things merged into the story!
The above setting and style appeals very much to my reading style. I like to read fast, devoid of disruption and I am genuinely interested in the middle age era. The weapons, armour, castles and way of life intrigues me. I often sit and think about how hard life would have been like back then.
Moreover, many of my classmates who are of similar age to me have read, are reading, or a planning to read Eragon and the other books of the Inheritance Series. I strongly suggest to all those who like fantasy crossed with action novels to give this one a go if you haven’t already…
Hooded Plover Report
Synopsis
The Hooded Plover (“Thinornis Rubricollis”) is a small beach bird which is roughly 10cm tall, very unintelligent and quite unadaptable. Hooded plovers are mainly found in South Australia and on the Yorke Peninsula. Unfortunately they are now regarded as vulnerable and it’s believed no more than 200 are left on the Yorke Peninsula. The reason behind this is that Hooded Plovers roost about 6 metres in front of the fore dunes just above the hide tide line. This choice of nesting area is the cause of many dangerous threats. Humans greatly impact on hooded plovers by predominately driving through the dunes with their big 4WD’s. Wild animals also impact on Hooded Plover’s habitat. So far no long term solutions to conserving their nests and populations have been devised, but short term solutions such erecting signs and fencing off specific areas has been enforced in some areas and some instances.
Aim and introduction
Our aim was to investigate the breeding success and the population of the Hooded Plovers along the Yorke Peninsula. We also examined the threats that the Hooded Plovers face, including their nesting areas. To seek the required information we visited a beach at the Innes National Park to search for, or find evidence of, the Hooded Plovers’ existence. Discovering this information was important if we hope to come to comprehensive conclusions and possible resolutions to combating the ever escalating threats that the Hooded Plovers face.
Method
The technique for our research was to search a beach along the Yorke Peninsula (Pondalowie bay) for the elusive Hooded Plovers and hopefully their nests.
We searched for the plovers into two groups before and after lunchtime. We searched for Hooded Plovers just after lunch (1:30pm) in my group and at that time it was about 30-35 degrees. Though it was hot with little wind, we found Hooded Plovers, contradicting the traditional “best monitoring” temperature. Though we found Hooded Plovers, we were unable to find any nests. In addition to recording their frequency, we also observed a diverse mix threats, including; humans’ footprints, tourists, a sunbaker, 4WD tracks, Silver Gulls. Trailer tracks were found very densely and also a tin can.
We collected the above data in our Student Learning Journal to be later inputted in to spreadsheets on excel and a power point. The only problems that I could see with the methods that we used is that there is always a periphery for error amongst tired, dehydrated students, as was the case in this instance.
Results
From our results we conclusively concluded that there are few Hooded Plovers in existence on the Yorke Peninsula and that there are numerous threats that the birds face, which are preponderantly human provoke. There were however, natural threats such as wild animals.
At Pondalowie Bay there are heaps of human activity such as 4WDs and boat trailers. On the search at Pondalowie Bay we didn’t see any nests. This proves that human activity has a pessimistic effect on the Hooded Plovers nests because we didn’t find any plovers in close proximity to or around nests in our search
Discussion
From our investigations it became clear that human actions have greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival. Such deeds as driving 4WDs, playing cricket, running though the sand dunes and constantly pulling boat trailers up and down the beach vertical to the shoreline have negatively upset the balance of the Hooded Plover habitats. In addition, negative impacts of natural and introduced predators have, combined with human activities, greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival and continued existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hooded Plover’s confront immense challenges as a surviving species from the highly damaging impacts of predators (ignorant humans in particular).
Plover nests are located in the fore dune where they are camouflaged, hard to see and are in the very spot where enthusiastic 4WD owners like to burn around. As a consequence, human activity can easily cause the accidental destruction of nests and Hooded Plover eggs. To combat this dilemma we should initially raise awareness of Hooded Plover roosting areas and ban driving through the fore dunes, or negotiate a win/win agreement/arrangement. People shouldn’t be allowed, or simply asked to run and play cricket closer to the shore where the disturbance of nests can be kept to a minimum. Another option may be to fence off certain areas of the beach. Even captivating Hooded Plovers and possibly helping them to breed may be part of the long term solution. Hard punishments should e dealt to those who cruelly treat or kill the innocent Hooded Plover population. If only some of these steps could be taken, even to a certain extent, the Hooded Plover population could prosper. Currently however, the necessary authorities (the council) are yet to act with positive consequence, so the work that must be left is left to committed but severely underfunded volunteers who see it their duty to protect the Hooded Plovers.
The Hooded Plover (“Thinornis Rubricollis”) is a small beach bird which is roughly 10cm tall, very unintelligent and quite unadaptable. Hooded plovers are mainly found in South Australia and on the Yorke Peninsula. Unfortunately they are now regarded as vulnerable and it’s believed no more than 200 are left on the Yorke Peninsula. The reason behind this is that Hooded Plovers roost about 6 metres in front of the fore dunes just above the hide tide line. This choice of nesting area is the cause of many dangerous threats. Humans greatly impact on hooded plovers by predominately driving through the dunes with their big 4WD’s. Wild animals also impact on Hooded Plover’s habitat. So far no long term solutions to conserving their nests and populations have been devised, but short term solutions such erecting signs and fencing off specific areas has been enforced in some areas and some instances.
Aim and introduction
Our aim was to investigate the breeding success and the population of the Hooded Plovers along the Yorke Peninsula. We also examined the threats that the Hooded Plovers face, including their nesting areas. To seek the required information we visited a beach at the Innes National Park to search for, or find evidence of, the Hooded Plovers’ existence. Discovering this information was important if we hope to come to comprehensive conclusions and possible resolutions to combating the ever escalating threats that the Hooded Plovers face.
Method
The technique for our research was to search a beach along the Yorke Peninsula (Pondalowie bay) for the elusive Hooded Plovers and hopefully their nests.
We searched for the plovers into two groups before and after lunchtime. We searched for Hooded Plovers just after lunch (1:30pm) in my group and at that time it was about 30-35 degrees. Though it was hot with little wind, we found Hooded Plovers, contradicting the traditional “best monitoring” temperature. Though we found Hooded Plovers, we were unable to find any nests. In addition to recording their frequency, we also observed a diverse mix threats, including; humans’ footprints, tourists, a sunbaker, 4WD tracks, Silver Gulls. Trailer tracks were found very densely and also a tin can.
We collected the above data in our Student Learning Journal to be later inputted in to spreadsheets on excel and a power point. The only problems that I could see with the methods that we used is that there is always a periphery for error amongst tired, dehydrated students, as was the case in this instance.
Results
From our results we conclusively concluded that there are few Hooded Plovers in existence on the Yorke Peninsula and that there are numerous threats that the birds face, which are preponderantly human provoke. There were however, natural threats such as wild animals.
At Pondalowie Bay there are heaps of human activity such as 4WDs and boat trailers. On the search at Pondalowie Bay we didn’t see any nests. This proves that human activity has a pessimistic effect on the Hooded Plovers nests because we didn’t find any plovers in close proximity to or around nests in our search
Discussion
From our investigations it became clear that human actions have greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival. Such deeds as driving 4WDs, playing cricket, running though the sand dunes and constantly pulling boat trailers up and down the beach vertical to the shoreline have negatively upset the balance of the Hooded Plover habitats. In addition, negative impacts of natural and introduced predators have, combined with human activities, greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival and continued existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hooded Plover’s confront immense challenges as a surviving species from the highly damaging impacts of predators (ignorant humans in particular).
Plover nests are located in the fore dune where they are camouflaged, hard to see and are in the very spot where enthusiastic 4WD owners like to burn around. As a consequence, human activity can easily cause the accidental destruction of nests and Hooded Plover eggs. To combat this dilemma we should initially raise awareness of Hooded Plover roosting areas and ban driving through the fore dunes, or negotiate a win/win agreement/arrangement. People shouldn’t be allowed, or simply asked to run and play cricket closer to the shore where the disturbance of nests can be kept to a minimum. Another option may be to fence off certain areas of the beach. Even captivating Hooded Plovers and possibly helping them to breed may be part of the long term solution. Hard punishments should e dealt to those who cruelly treat or kill the innocent Hooded Plover population. If only some of these steps could be taken, even to a certain extent, the Hooded Plover population could prosper. Currently however, the necessary authorities (the council) are yet to act with positive consequence, so the work that must be left is left to committed but severely underfunded volunteers who see it their duty to protect the Hooded Plovers.
Novel Intoduction
Novel: Eragon
The novel Eragon is a fantasy novel of the “Inheritance Series” authored by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is set in a fantasy land known as Alagaesia.
The name of the novel refers to the name of the main character: Eragon. Eragon belongs to a poor family that works a farm and struggles financially. Eragon lives with his uncle Garrow and fair, loving man and his cousin Roran, whom he is as close to as brothers. All Eragon knows about is parents is that his anonymous mother dumped him on his uncle’s doorstep when he was only an infant, only to die shortly after. The identity of both his parents remains a mystery throughout the novel.
Eragon lives in a harsh world ruled by a cruel, tyrannic king known as Galbatorix and his Empire. The local village; Carvahall on the border of the Empire only mingles with Galbatorix’s servants when his nasty tax-collectors come. Eragon and his small family refer to the Empire in loathe.
Early in the novel Eragon has discussions with Brom the town storyteller, who tell stories of legendary “Dragon Riders,” men or elves, of immensive wisdom and power who roamed Alagaesia ensuring peace. That was a prosperous time in the land’s history. However, Brom spoke of what was known as the “Fall” when a certain wayward Dragon Rider turned a group of 13 other Dragon Riders which was later known as the Forsworn and crushed all the other faithful Dragon Riders, plunging Alagaesia into war in their thirst for wealth and power. The mastermind behind this was Galbatorix. Since then the Forsworn had died from various things but Galbatorix remains to this day.
'However, though his magical power is great, there’s a group of rebels known as the Varden who have since being trying to destroy him…so far without success.
Many of the villagers, including Eragon, imagine what the legendary Dragon Riders would have been like and Eragon ponders what it would be like to be one. To cut a long story short Eragon stumbles upon a puzzling stone. This stone eventually hatches a female dragon for Eragon. When Eragon touches the bright blue dragon for the first time, his arm burns suddenly and to his astonishment to him his palm of his right hand turns silver. He later finds out that by touching the dragon which he later names Saphira (Saf-Eye-Rah), he binds himself to her. They are now mentally linked.
So Eragon, fearing retribution from his uncle, raises Saphira in secret. She grows quickly, both physically and mentally, as Eragon teaches her about the world. Whilst she doesn’t speak English, she can understand it and speaks to Eragon telepathically. When disaster strikes, Eragon’s relatively peaceful and harmonic life is turned upside down as he fights for his life with Saphira by his side. Eragon learns of the existence of the “Ra’zac” an evil concoction of a human that are searching for him and in the process, burn his house and kills his uncle. Swearing revenge for his uncle’s death, Eragon sets out on a mighty journey with the mysterious Brom to avenge the Garrow’s death
The novel Eragon is a fantasy novel of the “Inheritance Series” authored by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is set in a fantasy land known as Alagaesia.
The name of the novel refers to the name of the main character: Eragon. Eragon belongs to a poor family that works a farm and struggles financially. Eragon lives with his uncle Garrow and fair, loving man and his cousin Roran, whom he is as close to as brothers. All Eragon knows about is parents is that his anonymous mother dumped him on his uncle’s doorstep when he was only an infant, only to die shortly after. The identity of both his parents remains a mystery throughout the novel.
Eragon lives in a harsh world ruled by a cruel, tyrannic king known as Galbatorix and his Empire. The local village; Carvahall on the border of the Empire only mingles with Galbatorix’s servants when his nasty tax-collectors come. Eragon and his small family refer to the Empire in loathe.
Early in the novel Eragon has discussions with Brom the town storyteller, who tell stories of legendary “Dragon Riders,” men or elves, of immensive wisdom and power who roamed Alagaesia ensuring peace. That was a prosperous time in the land’s history. However, Brom spoke of what was known as the “Fall” when a certain wayward Dragon Rider turned a group of 13 other Dragon Riders which was later known as the Forsworn and crushed all the other faithful Dragon Riders, plunging Alagaesia into war in their thirst for wealth and power. The mastermind behind this was Galbatorix. Since then the Forsworn had died from various things but Galbatorix remains to this day.
'However, though his magical power is great, there’s a group of rebels known as the Varden who have since being trying to destroy him…so far without success.
Many of the villagers, including Eragon, imagine what the legendary Dragon Riders would have been like and Eragon ponders what it would be like to be one. To cut a long story short Eragon stumbles upon a puzzling stone. This stone eventually hatches a female dragon for Eragon. When Eragon touches the bright blue dragon for the first time, his arm burns suddenly and to his astonishment to him his palm of his right hand turns silver. He later finds out that by touching the dragon which he later names Saphira (Saf-Eye-Rah), he binds himself to her. They are now mentally linked.
So Eragon, fearing retribution from his uncle, raises Saphira in secret. She grows quickly, both physically and mentally, as Eragon teaches her about the world. Whilst she doesn’t speak English, she can understand it and speaks to Eragon telepathically. When disaster strikes, Eragon’s relatively peaceful and harmonic life is turned upside down as he fights for his life with Saphira by his side. Eragon learns of the existence of the “Ra’zac” an evil concoction of a human that are searching for him and in the process, burn his house and kills his uncle. Swearing revenge for his uncle’s death, Eragon sets out on a mighty journey with the mysterious Brom to avenge the Garrow’s death
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