My First Field Day

So on Monday we went to Kluitjieskraal (pronounced Clay-tees-kraal) which is plantation about 1.5 hours north east of Stellenbosch. Because we had to put our dataloggers on the machines at the plantation as close to shift start as possible (which is 7 am), we left at 5:45 am. So it was an early morning!

This is a photo as we drove down the ridge into the crater-like valley where the compartment (cut block) we were going to is. It's very beautiful and surreal with the rough mountains in a bowl like shape around us. Definitely a great view!

And here is the compartment the crew was working in for the day. We went out to test a data-logger (multidat) which has a GPS and vibration sensor built into it. As the machine moves, it records this information so we can tell when the machine was on, moving, idling, etc. We put it into the skidder (the machine that hauls logs out of the forest and to the road) and ask the skidder driver to press a button whenever he stops, drives, takes lunch break, fuels up, and has delays. This was also a testing period for us to learn the best way to instruct machine operators in using the multidat logger.

Anywho, once the skidder driver understood and he started working my job really started. I also got to record on my handheld palm the time the skidder driver took to do every activity. Basically it involved pushing a button for everytime he stopped and started and then recording how many logs he pulled out of the plantation at a time. It required a lot more focus than I expected but I started feeling more confident with it by the afternoon.

Also, for those who are interested, this plantation is entirely Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and the trees are perfectly spaced in a neat grid pattern. There is also very little understory vegetation. Much nicer to walk through than brush over my head!

At lunch, we drove to the other end of the valley which has a stream running out and down a beautiful series of waterfalls. It was nice to have a chance to dip our feet. The compartment was really dusty and I was very glad to be clean, even for just a moment. I also got a great picture of this little lizard. He was the second one I saw that day. I'm not sure what type of lizard, but still very cool.

Here is a shot of the waterfall/valley. We sat high up on the rocks and had a great view down the mountain. The stream had a little flood gate on it, so the water was very slow moving at the top. There was also some comfy rocks to sit on and eat.

And finally the biggest surprise of the day! When we were driving back to the compartment after lunch, we failed to notice the strange, brownish-yellow, stick shape on the road...until we hit it and the cobra flared its neck ridges. We didn't kill it instantly and it started to slither back into the grass as you can see here. The sad part is it was very badly injured on its tail and it probably won't survive. But it is really not safe to go up to an agitated cobra and try and put it out of its misery. So very cool but very sad at the same time.

This is a Cape Cobra which are relatively common in the Western Cape. They are quite venomous but they also are very shy and not aggressive so people aren't often bit by them. Also, the cobra's distinctive neck ridges give it away quite fast and the Cape Cobra doesn't spit venom (although apparently when cornered they will try but can't). So it is quite sad to kill one because they really aren't a threat to people.

So all in all it was a very interesting day. Unfortunately I was a little bit sun burnt and the cobra was hurt, but it was a great experience to see South African logging up close and personal. And the scenery was spectacular as always!

Campus Photos Part 1

Yesterday was my first field day so I was torn between posting those photos and campus photos. So some campus photos today and field trip photos tomorrow!

 

So we'll start with one of the most beautiful streets in Stellenbosch. This is Victoria Street and it runs right through campus and ends at the Jan Marais Nature Reserve. So whichever direction you head, it will definitely be beautiful. For those of my readers who are familiar with trees, the street is lined entirely with London Plane, a Sycamore hybrid, and also one of my favourite tree species. It's also nice to walk down Victoria Street because shade is a prized commodity on a hot summer's day (so every day so far).

This is the J.H.Neethlinggebou (I can't pronouce it right so I can't instruct you either I'm afraid) building which is the heart of the Faculty of AgriSciences. Forestry is a department in the Faculty of AgriSciences and the J.H.Neethlinggebou building has a lovely little courtyard where we had a faculty braai (pronounced like rye but with a b in front of it). This is also the west side of the centre of campus which is referred to as the "Red Square". It's really beautiful.

Here on the south side of the square is the Neelsie (Kneel-see) which is the Students Union Building of the University. The Studenteraad (US's student government) is on the third floor. The second floor and the first floor have a branch of nearly every major bank (including mine!), the post office, a convenience store (which is actually called 7-Eleven but I'm not sure it's the same company), bookstore, etc. It's pretty much the place I end up going whenever I have an errand to run.

And finally the Centre for Prospective Students! Okay I have actually never been inside this building, but I took a photo because it illustrates the fact that many of the University signs are in Afrikaans, English and Xhosa (which is one of the Bantu group of languages and uses the famous clicks for syllables). Also, you may notice the green detailing with the white trim. In Stellenbosch, historic buildings are all painted in the classic white and green. In fact, if you want your house to look historic, you buy the specific green paint (conveniently called 'historic green') and then you can pretend you have a historic house. Voila! Instant class.

And that's the end of the tour for now, but there will be more after plantation and wildlife photos later this week.

The Forestry Building

Since I'm here five days a week, Monday through Friday, I thought it would be nice to showcase the Stellenbosch Forestry building. Also for those of you familiar with the UBC Forestry building, you can compare and contrast.

Here is the front of the forestry building. It's built like a giant square with the courtyard in the centre. Not many buildings are built of wood here, but we're forestry so obviously wood has to feature! These are the front steps where we often go and have a "stand" during tea break.

The most important room, the tea room/kitchenette/mini library/computer lab. You can see the tea cups on the counter just waiting for tea. Every day at 10 am is tea break. Coffee is also available, but since I'm a tea drinker, tea for me. Tea, milk and sugar are provided for post-graduate students and staff. The undergrads are allowed to use the hot water only and it's quite a privilege to have access to the tea supplies. As the whole concept of a specific coffee/tea break is rather new to me, I have to admit I'm really enjoying it.

Here is a view of the forestry quad. We had the first forestry braai (similar to a BBQ but South African style and with great cultural significance) here and it was quite lovely. I sometimes sit and eat my lunch on the picnic table, although during the lunch break its the hottest part of the day so usually I'm overheated after. It's quite nice though and secluded. I may escape here to suntan in relative privacy some weekend.

And the place where all the magic happens! My office! Okay, actually I share the office with two fellow Master's students, but I'm here the most haha. My name is also on the nametag at the door. If the Canadian flag on the wall doesn't give it away, my desk is the the left hand corner. The pile of textbooks was my foray into learning the principles of GIS (geographic information systems) and a reference on soil mechanics. Anyways, it doesn't look like much, but I really do like working here. And of course, being South Africa in the summer, that little fan is absolutely essential.

The Academia Post

Hello again! I apologize for the delay in updates; I've been sick most of the week with a stomach flu so I haven't had the energy to do much. I'm almost back to normal now though so not to worry!

The next few posts I think will feature the campus and I thought I would start with Academia which is the name of my residence.

This is the Academia commonsblock/offices. On the lower floor are the nice, air-conditioned offices for the staff that run Academia. I also pick up my post here. The office is only open during the week from 8 - 4:30 though so I'm working when its open. On the second floor is the laundry facility which is open from 8-5 every day, but again, since I work, I can only do laundry on the weekend.

On interesting thing here is that for 50 Rand you can pay to have 8 kg (they say around one weeks worth) of laundry done for you by the laundry ladies. I haven't used this service because I have to book in advance at the office which is only open when I work and secondly because I'm very particular about how I wash my clothes. But the service is available and I have heard used regularly by most students.

Here you can see the one main entry into Academia, the security gate. This is monitored 24/7 and all cars have to be checked through. If you're on foot though, they pretty much just let anyone wander in and out. One of the jokes about Academia is that the gate and fence around the complex is to protect the rest of Stellenbosch from the anarchy that goes on inside here. Some nights I actually wonder if that is true.

And here is what Academia itself look like. There are blocks as you can somewhat see in the photo, right on the top right hand side is half of block 22. Each block has around 24 apartments, most 2 bedroom but some are 4 bedroom and some are even bachelor. I think there are 25 blocks in total. My block is to the right, although you can't see it in this photo.

And here is my little kitchen! I share a two bedroom flat on the ground floor with my roommate who is wonderful. We have a little fridge in the far corner and a little stovetop/mini oven. There is also a kitchen sink. I've heard some of the newer blocks come with microwaves, but we just have our "mini-kitchen" as the thing is called.

And this is my bedroom. It's nice and bright which is great because I like the light. It also gets very hot though with the morning sun.

And that's essentially where I live. In some ways, we joke, it looks like a cross between a prison and a mental institution because all the blocks look the same and most have security bars on their windows.

The thing about Academia is that it is the only co-ed residence, first year, residence provided by the university and it's more expensive than the traditional dorm-style single gender halls. So most of the first years who apply to live here come here to party. Wednesday night, students from UCT (University of Cape Town) will also come out to Academia and party here. I heard a rumor the other night that the pass rate in Academia is lower than the pregnancy rate, but I think that might be a bit exaggerated. It's certainly a happening place to be a lot of the time!

Concordia residence is also within the walls of Academia, but Concordia also has another set of walls around it. We also joke that's to keep the Academia crazyness out. Concordia is smaller though and more for older students so its much quieter.

Anyways, that's the Academia complex. Later this week will be the Forestry building and my Office. Woo!

Up the Creek and My First Maties Game

I survived my first music festival which also happened to be in South Africa. Up the Creek, as the festival was called, was...surreal but really cool. I didn't take very many photos simply because it wasn't really convenient to carry my camera around crowds of people. Car camping South African style is quite an experience. It involves lots of delicious braai (South African style barbeque but it's grilled over wood and there is a whole culture to it.) and good company.

The festival was outside Swellendam and along the banks of the Breede river. The river was incredible, shallow and sandy. It was especially great to swim in and we did several times over the course of the weekend. Also, because this area is Fynbos dominated, the water was a maroon colour. The Fynbos exudes nutrients and minerals, mainly iron, which colour the water. At first I was a bit weirded out and worried the river was polluted, but after it was explained to me and I noticed the other 400 people swimming, I joined in as well.

This is were we camped (our campsite is behind me in this shot). One thing you may notice is the lack of trees. Now, because it hit at least 36 all weekend, during the day it became too hot very fast. So we spent a lot of time at the river. You can see the river valley in the background. A very beautiful area though.

As far as the music went, some of the bands were very good. I especially liked aKing, Dirty Skirts and the Rudimentals. On Saturday, I heard the infamous (well at least in SA) Jack Parow. He's known for extremely foul lyrics. As I've started picking up Afrikaans, I could make out many of the swear words. Nonetheless, he has very good beats and a hilarious stage presence. Also, he is not a Jack Sparrow imitator which is what I initially thought!

So after a crazy weekend, I watched my first ever rugby game tonight. The Stellenbosch Maties (pronounced Mah-tees) are the defending Varsity Cup Rugby Champions in South Africa. There are three really popular sports here as follows: Rugby, Soccer/Football and Cricket. Anyways, the Maties are amazing and for R100 I bought my season's ticket. This includes entry for the five home games plus a really awesome jersey. So tonight a bunch of us donned the maroon and went to watch the game.

The South African flag and the opposing team in white (the NWU Pukke) during the South African National Anthem. The anthem is really beautiful and it was great to hear all the students singing.

You can see our Maties in maroon racing after the ball. We played poorly in the first half but managed to come back very strong in the second half winning the game 32 to 6! Go Maties Go!  Also, it was amazing that the stadium was almost entirely full and nearly everyone was in their Maties's gear. One thing that still amazes me about Stellenbosch is the amount of school spirit. Everyone is very proud to be a student here and its quite amazing. I  feel proud to be a Matie, even just temporarily.

Later this week, photos of my office (woo!) and campus photos (finally!)

Gone Fishing

Okay, despite the title of this post I am not going fishing...but I am going camping! I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm off to a music festival this weekend and I will be posting early next week. I'm sorry I know some of you are waiting on campus photos...but I promise next week. Plus I'll also have music festival photos too!

So see you next week!

On the shore

So, as I mentioned last post, I spent Saturday afternoon at the seaside with a couple of acquaintances who were going spear fishing and were happy to have someone watch their stuff. We went out along through Strand (a little city) on the ocean and out towards Betty's Bay (for those of you who want to pull out a map). The coast line is absolutely stunning; the mountains are quite rocky and this is the land of Fynbos (literally "fine bush") which has a scrub like look at this time of the year, although many of its flowers would be quite recognizable as parents of our common floral varieties (or so I'm told).

In the background, you can see the mountains. I'm surprised there is not more rock climbing in this area because the peaks look amazing. Apparently rock climbing is more popular in Cederberg, which I guess would be a few hours north.

And here are the rocks that I sat and suntanned on. Unfortunately it was a little bit hazy but I think you can just make out the Cape peninsula in the background. On a very clear day you can see all the way across False Bay.

It was a really wonderful afternoon and I was only mildly sunburnt. No fish were caught unfortunately, but apparently the dive itself was quite amazing as well. Later this week I'll try to post pictures of my residence where I live and Stellenbosch itself.