MISCELLANEOUS - BUT INTERESTING INFORMATION

OR IS IT USELESS BITS OF TRIVIA?

This blog segment has no central theme other than random observations that we have found interesting. We hope that you enjoy these useless bits of trivia.

What time is it in Kadina? What time is it in Edmonton?

• To determine the time in Kadina, South Australia, you need a watch which has both the hour and minute hands. Look at the watch. For example in Edmonton, the time on your watch says that it is Thursday, 12:55 PM (i.e. the minute hand is on the eleven and the hour hand is on the one). Simply turn the watch upside down. The minute hand is now in the five position and the hour hand is in the seven position. The time in Kadina is Friday morning at 7:25 AM. Yes it was an Engineer who told us about this one. How do those guys figure out stuff like this?

Photo above shows the time in Edmonton as Thursday Afternoon 12:55 PM. Photo below shows time in Kadina as Friday Morning 7:25 AM

Water flows counterclockwise down the drain in the Southern Hemisphere

• Moving objects such as water flowing down a drain veers to the right (clockwise) in the northern hemisphere and to the left (counterclockwise) in the southern hemisphere. This is due to a phenomenon known as the Coriolis Effect. The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of a moving object when it is viewed from a rotating reference point such as the earth. However, there is a word of caution. One may not always observe this phenomenon when looking for it in a small sink or toilet. The Coriolis Effect is generally too weak to affect small bodies of water; consequently one can observe both clockwise and couterclockwise flowing drains in both hemispheres. For small flowing basins, the direction that the water drains is usually determined by a number of factors such as the shape of the basin, whether the drain is offset, and most importantly, the way the water was moving when it commenced draining from the basin.
  

Australian Coat of Arms

• Two animals are present on the Australian Coat of Arms: the Kangaroo and the Emu. Strangely these animals have one thing in common which is why they are on the coat of arms. Both of these animals cannot walk backwards. Hence the reason for their presence on the coat of arms because one of Australia’s maxims is to always move forward, - never go back.
  

Coins of Australia

• Australia has coins in the following denominations: five cents, ten cents, twenty cents, fifty cents, one dollar and two dollars. Unlike Canada, they do not use any colloquial jargon such as a “loonie” or “twoonie” to describe any of their coins. When we have asked to borrow a nickel, or dime they have no idea that we are respectively referring to a five cent and ten cent piece.
  


• We also find it interesting, since they have no one cent coin, that prices in the store are still marked to the cent. For example if the price of a product is marked $7.97 cents, the charge at the till is rounded off to the nearest 5 cents. In this example, the fee paid at the till would be $7.95.

Adelaide’s Rapid Transit – the “O-Bahn”

• As part of it’s public transit system, Adelaide has the “O-Bahn”. The O-Bahn is a guided busway system that uses elements of both a bus and rail transit system. The O-Bahn transit concept is similar to the CN vehicles that we see in Canada that are able to drive on both road and rail. The O-Bahn buses travel on roads along residential designated bus routes picking up passengers. The bus then transfers seamlessly onto a guided track system made of cement with a high rim from which special wheels attached to the bus guide the vehicle downtown at speeds up to 100 km/hr. While on the tracks, the driver is not responsible for steering the vehicle. Once downtown, the bus transfers effortlessly back onto the roadways to off load passengers. The system was designed by Daimler-Benz from Germany and hence the origin of the name.
  
  • The O-Bahn appears to be a smart innovative mode of transportation. Buses are able to travel in residential areas and then transfer onto a track system that enables the vehicle to avoid traffic congestion while travelling to and from the downtown core. Passengers have the luxury of not having to disembark and embark and wait at transfer stations while traveling to and from work.
  
  
  
  

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Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

• Throughout our travels in Australia we have enjoyed the massive presence of the Moreton Bay Fig. This tree is similar and equivalent to our grand old maple and oak trees; only larger.

• Moreton Bay Figs have been planted in Botanical Gardens, city parks, school yards and virtually every other area where people will tend to congregate. One tree can provide shade for well over a hundred people. While watching a seven hour cricket match between Australia and the West Indies, we were most appreciative to be able to sit in the shade of a number of Moreton Bay Figs while the daily temperature peaked at plus 44oC.
  
  Above photos shows Moreton Bay Fig in Sydney Botanical Gardens. Bottom photos shows one tree providing shade to over 75 people at the South Australia Teacher Exchange Picnic
  
  
  

Cricket Game

• A couple of weeks ago, Rick had the pleasure of attending a cricket match in Adelaide. Australia was playing the West Indies. The match lasted seven hours, with tickets costing $25.00. It was excellent dollar value for a day’s enjoyment of sport. The game and experience is very similar to going to a baseball game. You sit in the stands, watch people, drink beverages and eat food from one of the many concession booths. The athleticism of the players was obvious as they competed for seven hours in the hot scorching afternoon and early evening heat. Even for spectators, the heat of the day was very draining.
  
  • The Oval Cricket park was beautiful. There was a very intimate feeling while we sat in lawn chairs on the crest of a hill watching the game under the shade of some very large Moreton Bay Figs. The scoreboard is believed to be one of the last actually working manual scoreboards. Apparently the people of Adelaide have resisted all attempts to replace the scoreboard with a modern electronic kind. It seemed to us that the presence of the old scoreboard added to the intimacy of the park and folklore of legendary cricketers having played in a bygone era.

Manual Score Board and fans at game time.

Boys enjoying the shade of the Moreton Bay Figs before the start of the contest. We had to get there early to get a good spot and stake out our turf.

Game at dusk - about 5 hours into the contest

Stobie Poles

• A “Stobie Pole” is the name given to the utility poles that dot the South Australian landscape. It is a pole made of two steel “I beam-like” joists held together by tie bolts and a slab of concrete in the middle. They are quite ingenious as they are made from easy to obtain materials since much of South Australia is void of any tall timbers that are suitable to use as telephone or power poles. Their steel and concrete frame make them resistant to hazards such as wild fire. We cannot understand why this design has not caught on in other arid areas.
  
  
  Stobie poles appear to be unique to South Australia - yet don't know why as the concept appears sound for areas lacking in timber resources

Shark Nets

• You will recall from the last blog entry titled “Kadina and the Yorke Peninsula” that there are many jetties up and down the peninsula. It is not uncommon to see shark nets associated with these jetties so that people can swim in comfort without the worry of a shark attack. If we are not swimming inside the shark net, we have made it a point to ensure that when we swim there are people further out in the ocean. Our Australian friends have jokingly said that sharks can sense fear, and will by pass an Aussie completely in order to stalk it’s cowardly and lily-livered foreign prey.

Netting provides a needed feeling of comfort so as to enjoy one's swim

Kadina and The Yorke Peninsula - Our Australian Home for One Year!

As you no doubt are aware by now, our teacher exchange home for 2010 is Kadina, South Australia. Kadina is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “Lizard Plain”; however we have yet to see a lizard in Kadina. We are either not looking in the right spots or else the lizards have disappeared as the area has become more populated and habitats have changed as a result.

Kadina is a town of approximately 4,000 people situated at the north end of the Yorke Peninsula approximately 1½ hour drive northwest from Adelaide. It is the largest town on the Peninsula and serves as the retail and local government hub for the west side of the Peninsula.

Observations about the Town of Kadina and the Yorke Peninsula are highlighted below through a number of photographs and miscellaneous comments.

The Town of Kadina and the Copper Triangle

• Kadina as well as most communities on the peninsula have numerous examples of buildings constructed at the turn of the century. The architecture of these buildings is typical of the era and times. For example, the buildings are made of stone or brick and are only a maximum of three to four floors in height. The buildings have amazing ornamental highlights, facades and verandas. Kadina’s Town Hall Clock Tower and its central park area remind us very much of the “Back to the Future” movie. The only exception being that Kadina’s clock keeps excellent time.

Clock Tower of Kadina's Town Hall Building

Kadina's Royal Exchange Hotel

Main Street Kadina

• Kadina can boast of having the oldest continuous operating General Motors outlet in Australia. In fact, the proprietor thinks it may be the oldest GM dealership in the world. Rosewarnes started business in 1882 selling and manufacturing horse-drawn wagons and has not relocated its business from the original site. By 1902 the company was selling Oldsmobiles and has never looked back. It is our understanding that both the fifth and sixth generation of the family are presently working at the dealership.
  
  
  

Rosewarne's - Established 1882

Kadina is one of three towns that make up the “Copper Triangle”, with the other two towns being Wallaroo and Moonta. At the turn of the century, these three communities were bustling with approximately 20,000 people supporting copper mining and smelting. Today remnants of the mining activities can be seen on the landscape.

Wallaroo Mines - Old Pump House

• Walleroo which is located 8 km from Kadina is home to the “North Beach”, one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula and perhaps all of South Australia. Walks along the beach at sunset; as well as wading in cooling waters when temperatures are in the 30’s or 40’s has a way of calming one’s inner soul and re-igniting feelings of passion with those you love. Fishermen cast their lines off the jetty in hopes of catching garfish or other local treats. Anticipation is seen on the faces of both young and old as they raise their nets in hopes of catching Blue Crabs. We frequently pinch ourselves to remind us of how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to witness and experience such a wonderful setting.

• We sometimes wonder if people living in Kadina know how lucky they are to be living in such an incredible place? They live in a beautiful peaceful town where they can walk the streets at night without fear and gaze upon a starlit sky. They are only minutes away, without the bother of any traffic irritations, to all the day to day living amenities that are needed to sustain their being. Should they wish to immerse themselves in a foreign environment, they are only a two hour drive away from an international airport that will jet them away to anywhere they may want to go. The world famous Clare and Barossa wine valleys are only a Sunday’s drive away. In addition, Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city with a lively sport and arts community and a bevy of activities that could keep one busy for a life time.
  

The Yorke Peninsula

• The Yorke Peninsula offers more than 600 km of coastal shoreline. Like Italy, the Peninsula is frequently described as being “boot shaped”, with its toe punting into Spencer Gulf and its heel in Gulf St. Vincent. It has been stated that it is the “Leg” upon which South Australia stands. The peninsula is approximately 260 km (160 miles) long and 40 km (25 miles) wide. One of the things we find amazing is that we have not seen any evidence of a river or creek on the peninsula. This phenomenon only goes to illustrate the importance of water in the region and how the residents have adapted accordingly (see earlier Blog – Water and the Desert).
  
  
• The Peninsula is noted for its agricultural industry. It has been interesting to discover that the peninsula has no rail line. As a result, cereal crops such as wheat and barley are shipped out from a number of ports. Historically, ketches, schooners and later steamships were used to collect the crops in bags from jetties or piers that were constructed at nearly every ocean-side port on the boot. Many of these ports have since become obsolete as roads improved, freight-handling systems shifted from bags to bulk, and grain carrying ships became larger. Today, grain is only shipped from three ports: (i) Wallaroo located on the north-west side of the peninsula, (ii) Ardrossan at the top of the Gulf of St. Vincent and (iii) Port Giles near the south-eastern tip of the boot. There are many similarities between western Canadian farming practices and those on the Yorke Peninsula. For example, we have been told that on the Peninsula, no-till drilling is strongly encouraged to retain soil moisture. Similarly a crop rotation of wheat, barley, lentils or wheat, wheat, lentils is practiced. The lentils are nitrogen fixers, thus adding needed fertilizer into the soil. Barley is used to abate wheat pathogens.
  
  
• One thing that we have noted that is different in agricultural practices is the absence of grain storage bins on the Peninsula. In our travels throughout the peninsula, there are very few farms with storage bins. This may be due to the different grain handling facilities located at the ports. Because of the dry climate, most of the grain is stored outside in contained areas and covered with tarps. Moisture or mould to reduce the quality of the grain is not an issue here due to the absence of rain and the high ambient temperatures in the summer. Hence, the reason for outside storage. By fall/winter the stored grain has been shipped from the terminals. This may also explain the absence of storage bins on the landscape.

Walleroo Jetty and Grain Loading Terminal

Outside Grain Storage Areas

• Once the crop has been harvested, sheep are typically released into the fields. You never hear a farmer call his field a “field”. It is referred to as a “Paddock”. However, they do refer to agricultural fairs as “Field Days” and not “Paddock Days”. The sheep are released to graze on the stubble as well as residual seed not picked up by combines in the paddock. We have been told that during years of good yields, there is an abundance of grain (either at the terminals or in the paddocks) which results in an infestation of mice which leads to an increase in the snake population. It appears as if snake population fluctuations are no different to the classical Canadian study that observed that the increase or decrease in Lynx populations was directly proportional to rabbit populations.

Sheep grazing on stubble

• The demise of grain handling at many of the small ports along the Yorke Peninsula has inadvertently resulted in the creation of an excellent recreational sports fishery for the area. The abandoned jetties are now a main feature in many of the coastal towns and have become popular holiday spots which are ideal for shore-based anglers and crabbers. The Yorke Peninsula has become one of the top fishing destinations for South Australia.
  


• Innes National Park, covers 9,100 hectares along the south-western tip of the Peninsula. It is known as one of the Yorke Peninsula’s gems. It has secluded sandy beaches, a rugged and rocky coastline and spectacular vistas. Some think the vistas equal those of Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Along we have not visited the Great Ocean Road yet, we have concluded that its scenery must be equivalent to the Banff – Jasper Highway; with the difference being one showcases ocean vistas whereas the other mountains. The Park is a mecca for scuba divers, surfers, fishermen and hikers. We were fortunate enough to see emu’s and shingle-back lizards. The shingle-back is distinctive member of the lizard family known as “skinks.” When confronted by a predator, they confuse their attacker by bending their body into a semi-circle because the head looks very similar to the tail. Their thick tough skin provides protection against predators and keeps moisture loss to a minimum.
  
  

Father Emu and his young
Shingle-Back Lizard - Member of the Skink Family

Gas - Petrol Prices:

• January 1, 2010: Singapore – S$1.71/lire (Singapore $ is worth approximately $0.75 Canadian)
  
• January 7, 2010: Sydney – AUS$ 1.31 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)
  
• January 15, 2010: Kadina – AUS$ 1.24 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)
  
• February 1, 2010: Kadina – AUS$ 1.23
  
• January 31, 2010: Gas Prices in Comox B.C. - $1.02 Cdn
  
• February 1, 2010: Gas Prices in Edmonton Ab. - $0.89 Cdn

DRIVING ON "THE OTHER SIDE"

Driving in Australia is similar to driving in Britain and unlike driving in Canada. In Canada, we drive on the right hand side, whereas in Australia and Britain, they drive on the “left” or “wrong side”. Of course, we think it is the wrong side, because we drive on the “right side.” Who is to say which side is correct? Are you confused yet? Because that is what driving has been like for us during this first month – confusion and chaos!

Everything with respect to driving in Australia is the opposite. You drive on the opposite side of the road. The steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car. The windshield wipers are on the opposite side of the steering column. The signal light indicator is on the opposite side of the steering column. The head light indicator is on the opposite side of the driver’s panel. The cruise control switch is on the opposite side of the driver’s panel. Have we mentioned “opposite” enough? The only thing that is the same about driving is the brake and gas pedals. The brake pedal is on the left and the gas pedal is on the right. Why didn’t the car manufacturers make those opposite as well? It just adds to the madness!

We both have our own little idiosyncrasies with respect to driving. Rick is constantly walking to the other side of the car. If he is driving he is getting in on the passenger’s side and if he is a passenger, he is opening the car door on the driver’s side. Gail is constantly making a left or right turn signal with her windshield wipers. She is getting quite good at it; however, it looks a little odd turning the windshield wipers on while driving in a traffic circle (or "Round About" as it is known in Australia) in plus 30 degree blue sky temperatures. We like to think that people assume that we know what we are doing and that we are only washing the windows. Both of these habits are becoming quite irksome as we think that we have mastered driving on the “other side”. When company is traveling with us, they find it particularly entertaining. Yes, from time to time we have had very brave and adventurous Australians traveling with us in the car.

We had given ourselves until the end of January to get our driving protocols right or maybe now that we are in the Land of Down Under, we should say “get our driving protocols left”. Unfortunately we have missed this timeline and have now moved it back to the end of February. Our excuse is that Gail walks to school and Rick rides the bike for groceries, so we are not in the car that much. Do we sound frightened of driving or just saving gas?

Rick on his way to get Groceries

We have made a pact between ourselves with respect to our driving. We have both agreed that “back seat driving” is allowed and is encouraged during this time of transition. For example, the passenger is encouraged to tell the driver to:

• Quit hogging the extreme left edge of the road and move the car more into oncoming traffic near the center of the road.



• Make a “tight turn” when turning left and a “wide turn” when turning right.


• Look “Right, Left, Right” when proceeding through an unmarked intersection rather than looking “Left, Right, Left”.


• Watch out for that "Crest" in the road. At the summit of some steep hills, the car crests thereby causing a blind spot for the driver until the car descends downwards.

Watch Out for the Crest!

Just when we think we are getting better, something happens that gets us flustered and on goes the windshield wipers AGAIN. We have been advised by returning exchange teachers that once we return to Canada, we will have to go through the entire driving experience again only in reverse because we will have become accustom to driving on the left side. No doubt it will seem strange to drive on the “wrong side” when we return to Canada. And who said that humans are creatures of habit?

Since we are on the topic of driving, it seems appropriate to provide the latest update on the cost of Gas, or as they say in Australia, "Petrol":

Gas - Petrol Prices:

• January 1, 2010: Singapore – S$1.71/lire (Singapore $ is worth approximately $0.75 Canadian)


• January 7, 2010: Sydney – AUS$ 1.31 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)


• January 15, 2010: Kadina – AUS$ 1.24 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)


• February 1, 2010: Kadina – AUS$ 1.23

For comparative purposes and for those Aussies who are reading this blog

• January 31, 2010: Gas Prices in Comox B.C. - $1.02 Cdn

For those Canadians living in Edmonton – let us know what you are paying since gas in Alberta is always cheaper than gas in B.C. Also if any of you are interested in other price comparisons, start sending us prices for food and clothing items that may be of interest to you and we will let you know the equivalent product’s price in Kadina. For instance, are you interested in the price of a dozen eggs, or 2 litres of milk? Conversely, our Australian readers may be interested in Canadian prices. As an illustration, there is a huge gap between cosmetic and health care prices. It may shock you to know that we just paid $6.00 for 120 mL of Mcleans toothpaste. We are still getting over that one!

One last thing…..like in Canada we are constantly putting our groceries into the trunk so that the food will stay cool. In Australia, we still haven’t adapted to putting our groceries in the back seat rather than the trunk. In the back seat, the groceries will keep cooler longer since the car’s air conditioning unit is always on. In the trunk, the food starts to pre-cook before we get home. The Australians are no strangers to the heat and are quite ingenious as they have mastered use of the “Eskie”. An “Eskie” is an insulated collapsible portable cooler used for storing your perishables from the grocery store. However, we have frequently seen it filled with cold beer on the beach. Australians seem to have adapted quite nicely to beating the heat.

Gail putting a dozen eggs in an "Eskie"

As you can see, we are starting to get the hang of living in Australia, but we are not quite there…so “G’Day Mate” until we re-connect “On our next blog – EH!”

WATER AND THE DESERT

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S IMPAIRMENT TO GROWTH

“Water, water every where and not a drop to drink”. Did any of you study the Rime of the Ancient Mariner in High School? The poet, S.T. Coleridge, describes thirsty sailors who are parched at sea under the hot sun and cannot drink from the limitless salty ocean that surrounds them everywhere. Although this phrase from the Ancient Mariner is not quite accurate for the State of South Australia, it is still a pretty good description to describe the state’s need for water to sustain its economy and people, while at the same time being predominantly land-locked by a vast desert landscape, commonly referred to as the “Outback”.

South Australia’s mainland coastline is approximately 3800 km long (i.e., water everywhere), yet four-fifths of the state receives less than 250 mm of rain (i.e., not a drop to drink). By definition, an area that receives less than 250 mm (10 inches) of rain per year is termed a “Desert”. Therefore, four-fifths of the state is desert. Water for human use is scarce and a highly valued resource. Everyone we have met so far who lives in South Australia has an opinion about water use and conservation. We have frequently been told that we “live in the driest state in the driest continent”. South Australians have told us that the state has gone through 10 – 12 years of drought, reduced crop yields, and bush fires. People are wondering if this prolonged drought is temporary or a harbinger of long term climate change.

Kadina – Yorke Peninsula Climatic Conditions

Kadina only receives 338 mm (15 inches) of rain per year; yet it is only 8 km away from the Ocean. Prior to arriving in Kadina, we wondered how a community located so close to the ocean could receive such a limited amount of rainfall. The answer, we found, is dictated by the prevailing winds. South Australia’s climate is dominated by pressure systems which pass over the state from west to east. One only has to look at a map of Australia to see that the prevailing winds travelling west move across an extensive land mass. By the time the winds reach South Australia, there is little moisture remaining in the clouds. As shown in the attached figure, Spencer's Gulf is located to the west of the Yorke Peninsula. During summer, the wind blows off the continent and has very little ocean mass (Spencer's Gulf) to pick up any moisture before reaching the Yorke Peninsula. Hence the reason for Kadina’s low rainfall in an area located so close to the ocean. Also during the summer, high pressure cells may remain stationary over the state for long periods of time, bringing clear, sunny days and often heat wave conditions. This, no doubt, explains why we experienced a temperature of +43OC upon our arrival in Kadina. We had arrived in the middle of another summer heat wave.

As one travels to the tip of mainland South Australia, rainfall increases since the prevailing winds cross the Australian Bight and travel primarily over the ocean. Therefore these winds are not as greatly influenced by the continental land mass. This is reflected in substantially more rainfall along the coast. For example, Mt. Gambier’s annual rainfall of approximately 700 mm is almost double that of Kadina.

In the winter, the winds are reversed and originate predominantly, across the ocean, from the south west. As a result, the Yorke Peninsula receives sufficient moisture to be one of South Australia’s great grain growing areas. These same moisture laden winds travel further north – northeast of Adelaide to the Adelaide Hills and Mt. Lofty Range. As the clouds rise in elevation, they provide much needed water to two of South Australia’s famous wine growing regions in the Claire and Barossa Valleys. These Valleys enjoy a Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and cool wet winters. (More on South Australia’s Wine in a later blog).

Goyder’s Line – Demarcation of the Outback

A fundamental ecological principle for managing land use is: Vegetation and Soils are a function of geology, relief, organisms, time, and climate. Simply stated, vegetation and soils on the landscape are not inert and stable but develop under the influence of a number of determining factors such as climate. In 1865 George Goyder, the Surveyor General for South Australia, put this ecological principle to good use. Goyder identified a boundary line, based on vegetation, across South Australia. To the north of the line salt-bush is dominant and to the south of the line - gum trees. Goyder discouraged farmers from planting crops north of the line as he believed that agricultural practices would prove to be marginal. Wittingly, Goyder’s Line represents the demarcation of South Australia’s Outback since it basically follows the annual rainfall average of 250 mm (10 inches). Also of interest, and as should be expected, most of South Australia’s population is presently located below Goyder’s line.

Fourth-fifths of the state’s land mass is Outback. Communities within the Outback are sparse and are centered near mineral resource extraction developments. A Dingo (Australian Wild Dog) Fence has been constructed to protect sheep flocks by containing Dingo’s within the arid desert areas. This fence serves as a further reminder segregating the fertile agricultural lands from the dry arid Outback.

The Murray River Also Known As “River Murray” if you’re Australian

Unlike Canadians, Australians identify River Systems using the word “River” first. Hence Australians would call the North Saskatchewan River the “River North Saskatchewan”.

The Murray River is Australia’s largest river and spans three states: New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Millions of people rely on the Murray River as a source of water for domestic use. It also plays a significant part in Australia’s economy as it is used for irrigation, livestock and industrial purposes. The River Basin provides a continual bounty of produce and is sometimes referred to as the “Food Bowl of Australia”. Consequently the river is highly regulated to control water quality and quantity. The river has 4 major dams, 16 storage weirs and 15 navigable locks.

South Australia relies heavily on water from the Murray. Typically, the River supplies about 40% of the State’s urban water needs. During drought years, water use can increase to as much as 90%. As we drive throughout South Australia, we can not help but notice a number of water pipelines of varying sizes accompanied by their respective pumping stations. The scarcity of water in the state has made it necessary to depend upon water transported over long distances in pipelines. For example, the line between Morgan and Whyalla is approximately 400 km in length. The attached Figure illustrates the importance of the river system to supplying much needed water throughout the state.

Photo of Major Water Pipeline Running Between Morgan and Whyalla



Map of South Australia Water Pipelines


Water management for the Murray River is legislated by the federal government as well as the three states. Water use allocations, expanding populations, industrial requirements, recreational pursuits, poor water quality due to increases in salinity and recent droughts have put a strain on the system; with the Murray River Basin becoming a political issue for both federal and state governments. Water desalination plants are an alterative with a few plants currently in use; however, they are costly and big consumers of energy. The expression “Liquor is for drinkin’ and water is for fightin’” appears to have a whole new meaning here. Alberta’s water issues and over use allocations in the more arid parts of southern Alberta pale in comparison to the Murray River’s water issues.

The state has instituted a number of water conservation measures. Examples that we have observed include:

• Grey water is recycled and used for irrigating public recreational sports fields and golf courses. At a residential scale, some home owners have directed their grey wash water from their washing machines to discharge into their yards;
  
  
• No new houses can be constructed without installation of a water cistern (see photo);

• Gardens and yards can only be watered manually twice a week between 7 and 9 AM or PM using hand held hoses (i.e., no sprinklers);
  
  
• Cars can only be washed at home using water in a bucket (i.e. no hoses);
  
  
• Some home owners have placed a three minute egg timer glass in their showers to remind them to take a short shower;
  
  
• Many home owners are installing large water cisterns to store water for all residential uses including potable water; and
  
  
• No trees, either on public or private land can be cut down without prior government approval.

These water restrictions clearly make us realize how fortunate and thankful we are to have such abundant supplies of water in Canada. Water is something that we generally take for granted and think little about and often waste.

With respect to desert environments, Canada has a vast uninhabited desert which is part of the Arctic. Climatic conditions are such that explorations of our mineral resources are yet to be fully revealed. The only inhabited desert skirts the Canadian border at Osoyoos, B.C. Like some of the desert areas of South Australia, irrigation has made much of the land around Osoyoos a very fertile area.

HELLO FROM KADINA - OUR AUSTRALIAN HOME FOR ONE YEAR!

We landed in Adelaide on January 8th thus embarking on our final leg to Kadina, South Australia where Gail is to commence her teacher exchange position for 2010. Jill, our “Exchange Buddy” met us at the airport at 8:30 AM when the temperature was already well on its way to +300C. Jill advised that we were in the middle of a heat wave and the temperature would reach +430C by about noon. She also noted that the weatherman had forecast that the next couple of days were going to be “stinkers”, an official Australian weather term. We marvelled as within a six week period we had gone from -400C to +400C. Talk about temperature extremes, yet ironically that are a lot of similarities; which we will elaborate on in later blog entries.

We first met Jill, our exchange buddy, while she and her son were on an earlier teacher exchange to Edmonton in 2003. Since then, Jill has had the good fortune to also go on another exchange to Japan in 2008.

As part of the teacher exchange program, incoming teachers are matched up with an exchange buddy. The exchange buddy is assigned with the task of assisting the incoming teacher (i.e.; Gail and by default Rick) to adapt to their new and unfamiliar surroundings. The fact that we have already met Jill in her previous life as a newbie exchange teacher while in Canada made our welcome in Australia a re-acquaintance with an old friend. Jill spent the day showing us around Adelaide taking us to the Botanical Gardens, touring Adelaide’s Torrens River Valley (similar to Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley) and visiting the Central Market. The Central Market is similar to Edmonton’s Strathcona Market only about 10 times larger. While at the Market, we had our first opportunity to sample, in order of tasting preference, Emu, Kangaroo, and Camel Sausages.

As the temperature during the day rose to +43, Jill spent most of her day misting us both down with an atomizer so that we could stay cool in the unbearably dry hot environment. We found it to be quite humorous, a little embarrassing in being pampered; but most importantly, much appreciated. We also recognized that we were totally unprepared to handle such a HOT and dry climate. Plus 30 is one thing, but +40 is a furnace and something that we had not experienced.

The next day, Jill drove us to Kadina, which is located approximately 1 ½ hour drive northwest of Adelaide (refer to Map insert). Kadina is a town of approximately 4,000 – 5,000 people situated on the Yorke Peninsula. The Yorke Peninsula is an amazing place that warrants a separate blog entry at a later date.



As we left Adelaide towards Kadina, we drove through a flat landscape that reminded one of travelling through southern Saskatchewan. You could turn your head around 360 degrees and see nothing but flat. The difference being that the area was comprised of orchards, nurseries and hot houses, rather than miles and miles of wheat fields. Later we learned that this flat topographical area is the remnants of an inland sea that existed during the formation of the Australian continent. About half way to Kadina we started a gradual climb in elevation, and then steeper ascend, as we travelled onto the Yorke Peninsula. The Yorke Peninsula is a highly eroded plateau that was once part of an interior mountain range that rises out of the ocean in a west to east direction with the higher points of elevation being located along the eastern part of the peninsula. The peninsula is dominated by huge fields of cereal crops; with many of the fields being well over one section (1 square mile) in size. Given the heat of the day and the dry brown appearance of the vegetation, we found it hard to imagine that the area could produce a productive cereal crop. However, in realty, it is no different than one travelling through the Canadian prairies in winter. How can such a cold harsh climate be home to Canada’s bread basket?

As we were driving to Kadina, we couldn’t help but notice a large 24” – 36” water supply pipeline following alongside the road. We have subsequently learned that this supply line is the predominant water source for people living on the northern part of the peninsula. (The southern portion of the peninsula’s water supply is provided by groundwater sources and a desalinization plant.) The line originates approximately 150 kilometres away in Australia’s largest river, the River Murray. Water is pumped from the river and conveyed through a series of pumping stations to a large reservoir just north of Kadina. The reservoir is covered to minimize evaporation. We have been in Kadina a week and already three or four residents have reminded us that we are living in the driest state in Australia, which is the driest continent on earth. Parts of South Australia have just come through a 10 – 12 year drought and they are not sure if the water shortage crisis is over or here to stay due to climate change. Water is a precious commodity that everyone is alert to, and has an opinion about. We will elaborate more about water issues in a separate blog.

Kadina reminds us of any small Canadian agricultural town of a similar size located on the prairies. The town is the major agricultural hub for the area having a John Deere tractor dealership, fertilizer supply outlet, state government agencies and numerous other service providers for the agricultural industry.

We are fortunate enough to be living in one of the many original older homes in the town. Our house was built around the turn of the century with an addition added on around 1930 – 1940. These homes are something with which we have no familiarity. For example, the walls of the homes are typically 12-18 inches in thickness, are constructed of stone/rock, have slate or steel roofs with each room typically having 12 – 14 foot ceiling heights and a fireplace. Full length-size verandas are a standard feature and the houses are, where possible, aligned in a north-south exposure. They have been designed and constructed so as to minimize the unbearable heat in the summer and cold in winter. Given the thickness of the walls, it will take the house three or four days to absorb the full effect of +43oC temperatures. If the heat wave lasts longer than that, the heat is absorbed into the rock walls, turning the house into an inferno. When that happens, everyone closes all the doors to each room and camps out only in those rooms equipped with air conditioners.

It is our understanding that the newer homes are of wood construction, well insulated and covered with a facade of rock/brick. The ceilings are typically 9 feet in height and air conditioners are sized to cool the house. Once we have the opportunity to visit someone living in the newer homes, it will be interesting to see and compare the differences between new and old house construction methods.

In our first week at Kadina, we have purchased a vehicle, travelled to the Clare Valley for some wine tasting and toured the entire length of the Yorke Peninsula. We purchased a 1999 Ford Falcon with 170,000 km for $7,000 AUS $. Our impression is that cars are considerably more expensive to purchase here than in Canada. We were looking for a vehicle which was dependable and would get us from A to B and would hopefully not depreciate much over the course of one year. If we paid more for a newer vehicle, we think we would have loss on the depreciation when it came time to sell the car at the end of the year. If we went with a cheaper car, we think that we would be paying for repairs and see ourselves stranded on the road somewhere. Only time will tell if our expectations come true or not.

Random points we’ve learned so far:

• Most homes don’t have dryers but when it’s +40 out, clothes only take about 45 minutes to dry on the line.
  
• We have both an orange and a lemon tree in our yard. Photos will come once the fruit is ripe.
  
• You’re only allowed to water your lawn or garden twice a week but you have to stand and hold the hose – no sprinkler systems are allowed. Time allotment to water is between 6-9 PM only.
  
• We have become very aware of our water usage and have a gray water container in our sink at all times as you’re allowed to throw water from a bucket on your yard at any time as many times as you wish.
  
• Parents with smart girls (or boys, but especially girls) who can afford the expense send their kids to private boarding schools as early as grade 8 to complete their education. They feel that their kids will get a more rounded education with fewer distractions. Some of the parents are child free as soon as their youngest reaches 12! This is a difficult decision for both parent and child.
  
• Groceries, on average, cost more, but it is such a treat to have fresh fruit and vegetables. We bought cherries today- January 19th and we have been getting our fill of fresh watermelon.
  
• We’ve had marinated kangaroo steaks on the barby. They are almost fat free and very high in iron. They have a texture similar to liver only with more fibre. We’ve yet to see one bouncing out in nature though. Closest we have come to seeing one is road kill. We will keep you posted. We have seen Emu’s in the wild as well as a “Shingle-back lizard”. Pictures will be provided in our blog entry for the Yorke Peninsula.
  
• We’re giving ourselves until Feb. 1 to STOP turning on the windshield wipers instead of the turn indicator. The car is left-hand drive and everything is reversed in the automobile. No doubt the locals think it hilarious to see the wipers turned on at every corner given that there isn't a cloud in the sky. We will send you a separate blog entry about driving on the “Other side of the Road”.
  
• Toilets have a ½ flush option. If you go big, you can flush big, if you don’t go big you don’t have to flush big.
  
• We are really enjoying the southern sky at night. Because we are in a small town there is limited light pollution to mask the stars. The Milky Way is something else to see. We haven't found the Southern Cross constellation yet as it is apparently quite low in the sky at this time of year.

Gas Prices:

• Janaury 1, 2010: Singapore – S$1.71/lire (Singapore $ is worth approximately $0.75 Canadian)
• January 7, 2010: Sydney – AUS$ 1.31 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)
• January 15, 2010: Kadina – AUS$ 1.24 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)

As you can see, we have a number of blog entries to work on. More on our travels in the Yorke Peninsula and daily living in Kadina in a later blog.

HELLO FROM SYDNEY

We landed in Sydney Australia on January 3rd, 2010 for a five day stay. Sydney is Australia’s largest city with a population of approximately 5.5 million people. Sydney reminded us very much of Vancouver. Both Vancouver and Sydney each have a well known bridge which is a symbol of the city – Vancouver’s being the Lion’s Gate Bridge and Sydney’s is the Harbour Bridge. They are both port cities, have a vibrant down town core, many trendy areas, a moderately good public transportation system, and lots of urban sprawl.

While in Sydney we spent most of our time walking or taking the public transit system to various points of interest. For example, we went to Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, the Botanical Gardens, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, the Blue Mountains and hiked across the Harbour Bridge. Some of the highlights and impressions of Sydney are outlined below:

• Our general impression of Sydney was that it was an expensive city to visit if you elected to partake in the well advertised tourist tours. For example, a tour boat of the harbour with dinner provided on the boat cost around $125/person. We elected to take the public transit ferry ships to various points in and around the harbour. You could buy a “day tripper” which provided for unlimited public transport travel for $17/person. It seemed strange to see the “tourist boats” traveling along side the public transit ferries each going to the same places.
  
  
• We found that Internet Access in the hotels can be a bit of a rip off. Apparently Australia is in the middle of the internet spectrum. Some hotels provide it complimentary as part of your stay in the hotel. Others charge a daily fee. Our hotel charged as hourly fee of $12.00 and a daily fee of $27.00. It was obvious that the hotel was catering to the business man, whose Company would pick up the Internet tab. Given the recent turn around in the economy, I suspect that many Companies would be looking at reducing costs wherever possible and will likely instruct their employees to seek accommodation elsewhere where Internet is free. On the other hand the hotel is trying to make a quick buck wherever possible….so who knows? We found an Internet Café two blocks from our hotel that charged a fee of $2.00/hour for Internet Service. Needless to say we found the idea of the hotel charging $12/hour a little bit of gouge. So if you are travelling in and around Australia, one of the questions to ask the hotels you are booking with is whether they provide free Internet Access.
  
  
• Bondi Beach was “IMPRESSIVE”. The water was a beautiful aqua blue. The garbage-free pristine sandy beach was dotted from one end to the other with a “bazillion” people lazing in the HOT sun on a Tuesday afternoon. Now we know why Bondi Beach is recognized as being world famous. We could and cannot get over how intense the sun is in Australia. Likely it is a result of two factors: (i) the degrees latitude is much closer to the Equator. Sydney is 34oS while Edmonton is 53oN and (ii) it may be the fact that the ozone hole over Antarctica is having an influence. We were on the beach for less than an hour and we were as red as lobsters. You could easily tell where we forgot to apply the sunscreen.

• The Blue Mountains are a two hour train ride from Sydney. It is a world heritage site similar to Banff and Jasper. On the way to the mountains, one travels through a metropolitan jungle traveling through one urban area to another (similar to travelling east from Vancouver to Hope), and then suddenly the Blue Mountains come upon you as there is an ear-popping rather steep elevation change to a topographic escarpment– like landscape. The Blue Mountains are more like the Appalachians as they are well weathered, not jagged like the Rockies. The Blue Mountains get their name because the area is densely covered with oil bearing Eucalyptus trees. Finely dispersed droplets of oil from the trees in combination with dust particles and high humidity/water vapour in the air give the atmosphere a hazy smoky blue appearance. I image that our closest analogy to a similar spectacle would be the Smoky Mountains in Kentucky.
  
  We were not that fortunate in getting any breath-taking vistas while at the Blue Mountains. The area was socked in with low lying clouds so it was foggy with poor visibility. Maybe on our return trip to Canada (we fly out of Sydney on Boxing Day) we will have the opportunity to go back and visit the Blue Mountains.

We are off to Adelaide and the final leg of our journey to Kadina.

Gas Prices:

• Janaury 1, 2010: Singapore – S$1.71/lire (Singapore $ is worth approximately $0.75 Canadian)


• January 7, 2010: Sydney – AUS$ 1.31 (Australian $ is worth approximately $0.98 Canadian)

LUGGAGE ISSUES - TRAVELLING IN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

We have had a number of luggage issues on our travels to Kadina, so we think that it warrants a separate blog entry. It is also noteworthy information in the event you are considering travelling to Australia and hopefully coming to see us for a visit.

First there are two major ways to travel to Australia. You can travel via Air Canada or one of its affiliate airlines (eg. Singapore Airlines) or you can travel via Quantas. We elected to travel via Air Canada because we used Aeroplan airmiles. Quantas doesn’t recognize Aeroplan. The advantage and disadvantages of each travel option is outlined below:

• Aeroplan/Air Canada only flies to Sydney. Therefore if you are flying anywhere else in Australia you must use one of the domestic carriers. The problem with the domestic carriers is the luggage restrictions that are discussed later in more detail. The advantage of flying using Aeroplan points and Air Canada is that you are entitled to one stop along the way. We elected to stop over in Singapore. Using Aeroplan points the total cost of our flight to Australia was approximately $400/person. Hence a very appealing option.
  
  
• Quantas fly’s to numerous destinations within Australia and offers three one way stops while in Australia. For example you can fly into Sydney, stay awhile and then fly onto Adelaide, then fly to another location and subsequently fly back to Canada from there. It is an excellent option for seeing a lot of Australia. You must book your itinerary while you are outside Australia and you must provide the airline with your arrival and departure dates. Total cost of the ticket is approximately $2000/person. This option is very attractive for the tourist visiting Australia. However, we elected to forego this option because the duration of our stay is one year and we would end up “dead-heading” our three flights back to Adelaide. In addition, we didn’t know Gail’s school holiday schedule for the year and thus were unable to pre-book the three flights within Australia.
  
  We strongly suggest that if you are booking a flight to Australia and contemplating any domestic flight(s) within Australia, that you check/confirm luggage restrictions. This advice applies to any SE Asian Airline as well. Our problems with luggage and weight restrictions are outlined below. Hopefully our experience makes planning for your trip a little less painful.
  
  
• For economy class flights, Air Canada has a weight restriction of two bags per person each weighing 23 kilos (50 lbs). Air Canada’s final destination in Australia is Sydney. If you decide to fly internally within Australia, then you must book your flight with a domestic airline. The domestic airlines only allow each person one bag with a maximum allowance of 23 kilos. If you have excess weight, the airlines will charge you $10/kilos. Therefore, if you arrive in Australia with two bags each weighing 23 kilos you can be charged an additional cost of $430 to transport the additional bag. Of course Air Canada doesn’t tell you this because they are only concerned with getting you to Sydney. Our travel advisor with Aeroplan did not tell us anything. He just advised us that we would have to book a flight between Sydney and Adelaide using a domestic airline.
  
  It should be noted that if you pre-book your domestic flight and let the airlines know in advance that you have excess baggage, they will reduce the $10/kilo fee, by approximately 50%. However, in our opinion, a fee of $215 for 23 kilos is still excessive.
  
  
• We have no idea what weight allowance Quantas allows when flying between Canada and Australia. Now that we are in Australia, we know that they have the same one baggage, 23 kilo restriction per person for domestic economy class flights. If you elect to fly with Quantas and take the three stop flight option, we suggest that while you are in Canada you confirm weight allowances prior to booking your domestic flights within Australia.
  
  
• After our 5 day stay in Singapore, we arrived at the Singapore Airport with our luggage. At the airport, we discovered that Singapore Air has a one bag 23 kilo per person weight restriction and does not recognize Air Canada’s two baggage 23 kilo per bag allowance. According to Singapore Air’s baggage restriction, we were 46 kilos overweight and the airline was going to charge us 460 ($10/kilo) for the excess baggage. They did not recognize the one stop lay over that was provided to us by Air Canada and stated that we were starting a “new flight” with a new airline and hence the Air Canada baggage allowance did not apply. After a lengthy discussion, providing documentation of our Aeroplan/Air Canada flight plan and baggage agreement, and 3 separate meetings with various levels of “management” within Singapore Airlines, they finally waived the $460 fee and accepted Air Canada’s baggage agreement. It was just fortunate that we had left ourselves plenty of time (six hours) to catch our flight otherwise we would have been hooped. We were subsequently advised by Singapore Air that if our luggage had been booked through straight to Sydney, that there would not have been an issue. Again, our travel advisor with Aeroplan did not tell us about booking luggage straight through to Sydney.
  
  
• Upon arriving in Sydney, we recognized that flying our excess baggage to Adelaide was not an option. We received a number of quotes from couriers and transport companies and finally agreed upon shipping our bags to Kadina by truck transport. Peter, the Concierge at the hotel, and Jill, an Australian teacher in Adelaide who was on a previous exchange program in Edmonton, were both extremely helpful in solving our luggage dilemma. In addition we are so fortunate to have Leon (family member of Shannon and Riang - our exchange partners) willing to receive our luggage for us. Thank you all for your assistance.

I guess the morale of this is to travel “LIGHT!!” or don’t take any domestic flights. We have a year to figure out the best way to ship our baggage back to Canada. At this point we think that we will donate most of our clothes to Good Will and see about selling our golf clubs. Once we get back to Canada, we think it is time that we got some new clubs anyways. Hopefully when you come and visit, you’ll leave a spot in your bag for our junk!