Welcome to our Blog!

We hope you enjoy our first attempts at blogging! This is to prevent you from receiving long boring messages that arrive on your screen when you're not ready to sit back, relax and read about our life. This way, you can come into our blog on your time, when you want and check up on us.

We hope you like our stories! See you soon.
Gail and Rick

Monday, March 29, 2010

THE EUCALYPTUS TREE

This blog entry is dedicated to our daughter Fran. Fran, as some of you may or may not know; graduated last year with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and is currently enrolled in a Masters Program in Forestry at the University of Alberta. As you can imagine, Fran likes trees. In our travels and day to day life in Australia, we have found the Eucalyptus Tree to be a most interesting species and know that Fran would equally enjoy what we have learned about this plant. Hence this blog is for Fran. Our apology as some of the information in this blog contains some scientific terminology. For those readers who do not have a biological or scientific background, we have attempted to clarify terminology with the hopes that everyone reading our blog will find this entry interesting and informative. We suspect that you will as the Eucalyptus Tree is one of Australia’s icons.

As you may recall from high school biology classes, plants are classified in the following manner: Family, Genus and Species. So in accordance with proper plant classification, the Eucalyptus Tree is in the Myrtaceae Family, which is commonly referred to as the Myrtle Family. Eucalyptus Trees belong to the Genus Eucalyptus. There are reported to be between 700 and 800 species of Eucalyptus in Australia. The exact number of species has yet to be determined. The reasons for not knowing the exact number of species is discussed later in this blog entry.

The Genus Eucalyptus is characterized by its distinctive flowers and fruit. Floristically, the stamens (i.e., the male parts of the flower) are enclosed in a cap of fused flower petals that are forced off and drop to the ground as the stamens expand. When discovering this distinctive floristic characteristic, Gail was quick to observe that even male parts of a flower expand. She was even quicker to point out that it is not the size of the stamen that matters; however, we digress. The flowers have no petals, but are decorated by many showy stamens which may be white, cream, yellow, pink or red in colour. The absence of showy flower petals is one of the key features of the genus. As the ovary is pollinated and matures, the fruit forms a woody cone-shaped capsule or “gum-nut”, another key characteristic of the genus. A further striking characteristic of the genus is the eucalyptus odour that is emitted when the leaves are crushed between your fingers. Some species are particularly fragrant and you can smell eucalyptus as you walk by a big old tree. It is an intoxicating experience!

Flower and fruiting bodies of a Eucalyptus Tree

Red Stamens of a Eucalyptus species with fused orange-brown petals below the stamens.

Characteristic fruit which is a cone-shaped capsule or gum-nut.

Eucalyptuses or Eucalypti are either commonly called “Gum Trees” or “Stringy-bark Trees”. They are referred to Gum Trees because they profusely ooze sap from any break or deep cut in the tree. Similarly they are often called Stringy-bark Trees because like the Arbutus Tree in British Columbia, they will shed their bark; with the difference being that the Eucalyptus will shed its bark in either long strips or variably-sized flakes. The shedding of the bark results in the trunk of the trees exhibiting remarkable colours and beauty.

In addition to the beautiful colour of the trunk, note the thick mulch layer created by the shedding bark and leaf litter. The purpose of this mulch layer is discussed later.

Another natural beauty!

As you have probably surmised, many of the Eucalyptus species are, botanically speaking, difficult to identify and classify. In addition to the vast number of species, classification of this genus is clouded because the species has evolved both morphologically (i.e., the structure of plants) and physiologically (i.e., plant function) to adapt to the many different environments in which it inhabits. For example, gum trees grow in a diverse range of habitats from extremely harsh locales such as alpine regions and granite rock outcrops to lush rainforest environs. Depending upon the particular environ, they can grow to be hundreds of feet high or merely a few feet in height. In addition, many species have an overlapping geographical distribution range, with gene exchange still occurring. As a result intermediate forms of the two species are common and hence the difficulty in classification. Similarly in Canada, we can experience gene exchange between Engelmann Spruce and White Spruce.

In South Australia, it is reported that there are approximately 80 Eucalyptus species. They inhabit all types of climatic regimes in the state from temperate to extremely arid. Given that we presently reside in an environment with an annual rainfall of approximately 15 inches per year; our observations with respect to the Eucalyptus Tree are predominantly related to its growth form in an arid environment. The following series of photographs and descriptions highlight the survival mechanisms that the Eucalyptus Tree has adapted to live in an arid environment.

In arid environments, the Eucalyptus Tree typically has a multiple stem growth configuration starting at ground level. This grow form is referred to as “mallee”. A mallee growth configuration is optimal in arid environments because this stem formation allows rainwater to collect along the various branches and funnel its way down to the main trunk system, thus maximizing moisture collection and retention. During times of drought, the tree will literally drop large branches from its trunk so as to enhance its chances for survival. By losing branches, the plant reduces its overall immediate need for water because the plant’s surface mass has dramatically decreased.

Mallee growth formation is typical for Eucalyptus Trees growing in arid environments

Typically the Eucalyptus Tree is an ever green tree meaning that it does not lose its leaves after the growing season. However, the Eucalyptus Tree readily and periodically sheds its bark and leaves to effectively create a mulched surface environment around the base of each tree. This mulch surface serves two purposes: (1) The mulch restricts the germination of other vegetation beneath the tree. Thus, the tree ensures that other vegetative growth is limited so that the much needed soil moisture is not used up by a competing species. (2) The mulch creates a surface layer capable of retaining soil moisture and reducing moisture loss due to evaporation.

Note the absence of understory vegetation.


The leaves of Eucalyptus Trees growing in arid environments have also adapted to its environment. The leaves are typically long and narrow with a waxy – oily cover. The leaves are narrow so that there is minimal surface area exposed to the direct sunlight. On the leaf, a eucalyptus smelling oily resin is emitted to form a thick cuticle on the leaf surface to create a protective cover so as to minimize water loss. Essentially the leaves are hydrophobic (i.e., tending to repel and not absorb water) as the oily/waxy surface prevents the leaf from drying out. Also, as the sun shines down on the tree, the long narrow leaf surface will rotate and hang vertically downwards away from the direct rays of the sun. By doing this, the surface area of the leaf that is exposed to the direct sunlight is minimized, thus minimizing water loss due to evapo-transpiration (i.e, water that is evaporated through the leaf tissue).

Long and narrow leaf surface capped with a waxy – oil resin cover

In an arid environment, forest fires from lightning strikes are common occurrences. Unfortunately those plant survival mechanisms described above that minimize water loss also are ideal sources of fuel for fire. The oily-waxy leaves and mulch litter on the ground surface are highly combustible materials. In response, the tree has also developed a well-established root system that is capable of rapidly regenerating plant shoots after a fire event. The Genus is noted as being extremely fast growing, thus minimizing long term impacts from fire on its ecosystem.

Note the rapid generation following a forest fire. Area was burned December 2007 with photo being taken in March 2010.

Some times when we are driving and scanning the passing landscape, we periodically ask ourselves whether we are in Africa or Australia? This is because the growth form of the Eucalyptus Tree dotted on the landscape appears to be akin to many “Out of Africa” travel photos. The Eucalyptus Tree is an excellent example of a plant species that has adapted to the environmental conditions in which it lives.

That “Out of Africa” or is it “Out of Australia” feeling?

Easter is coming, the summer season has gone and the weather is starting to cool. School holidays here in Australia are around the corner. Our blog entries will not be forthcoming until we return from holidays. May you have friends and family close to you over the Easter time and enjoy plenty of delicious meals with your people. HOPPY EASTER!

Monday, March 22, 2010

KANGAROO ISLAND

March 6th to 8th was a long weekend in South Australia. The state has created a public holiday so that its residents can celebrate and watch the Adelaide Cup, which is a horse race. The race which began in 1864, is very much a part of South Australia’s heart and soul of sporting and social events in the state. Taking advantage of this long weekend opportunity, we were fortunate enough to participate in a three day tour of Kangaroo Island. The tour was arranged by the South Australia Teacher’s Exchange League (SATEL). In summary, the trip was fabulous!

Kangaroo Island, known locally as KI, is located due south of Kadina and the Yorke Peninsula. KI is Australia’s third largest island being approximately 155 km long and 55 km wide.

Figure showing Kangaroo Island

It is estimated that one half of Kangaroo Island’s land base is either bush land or National Park. Based on some of the travel journals, KI is considered the best place in Australia to see marsupials in the wild. This may be due to the fact that the island is free of introduced foxes and rabbits. Foxes are predators of some of the marsupials while rabbits forage and destroy native habitat of others. Given the abundance of native wildlife and the many beautiful coastal vistas, Kangaroo Island was ranked, by the National Geographic Traveler Magazine in 2007, as being the Best Island for tourists to visit in the Asia Pacific region.

KI is isolated from the mainland and has become an unspoiled haven where wildlife abounds. Probably its equivalent comparison in Canada would be Banff or Jasper National Parks. However, unlike Banff and Jasper, tourist accommodations within the national park are virtually non existent. Our three day visit on the Island was “chockers”. This is Aussie slang for “chocker block full”. While on the island, some of the many sites that we visited are listed below:

  • Remarkable Rocks are a large cluster of naturally sculpted granite rocks that appear to be sitting precariously on a dome that juts out from the ocean. These rocks have been eroded by wind, rain and sea spray over a period of 500 million years. They were not only remarkable; they were incredible, fantastic, awesome, amazing and humbling. To see such large rocks with their scouring tell-tale signs of erosion only reinforces the power of nature. One can only imagine the erosive energy that is needed to crave the rocks into such a picture of beauty. At Remarkable Rocks, you know that time is not told in seconds and hours. Instead time is told in eons. Originally formed as a single granite monolith, these seaside rocks were shaped using the same rock building process as that used to form Uluru (Ayers Rock); with the difference being that they have been subject to constant erosion.

Remarkable Rocks


Rick and Greig inside the Remarkable Rocks’ Hatchery!


Gail by the Arrow Head


Gail on the Bench. Note the orange algae.


Rick and Gail at the Altar


Where’s Waldo?

  • Admiral’s Arch is another spectacular rock formation. Sculpted from thousands of years of erosive weathering, a natural arch has been created.

Looking through Admiral’s Arch

Added to this nature beauty is a colony of New Zealand fur seals that feed, laze and cavort in and along the shoreline adjacent to Admiral’s Arch. While visiting the arch we had a “special moment”. To see the seals from the first view point was something in itself. Then to continually wind your way down to the arch with each viewpoint being more spectacular than the previous was unbelievable. And then to arrive at the arch, take in the scenery, listen to the surf crashing against the rocks and watch the seals frolic in the water was a “special moment”. We knew that we were witnessing and feeling something that cannot be properly described. You had to be there to take it in.

Top of Admiral’s Arch – Seal’s are the little brown specs (look hard to see them)


Getting Closer to the seals


Closer


The Poser was ready and waiting for us!

  • Hike from Hanson Bay to Kelly Hill Caves: We know very little about Australia’s vegetation or wildlife. Eighty percent of the native vegetation in Australia appears no where else in the world. What we know is from what we have seen on television or read in books. We went on a two and a half hour walk that brought all of this to life. To walk from the coastal sand dunes, into a dense shrub environment and then into a eucalyptus forest was a perfect illustration of the transition of plant communities living in harmony with their conditions. To see kangaroos and then an echidna just as we were finishing our walk was icing on the cake. We think that maybe one of the SAETL people rushed ahead to put one there for our viewing and photographic pleasure.

    Start of Hansen Bay Hike

    One of many scenic vistas


    Echidna – a spiny anteater!


    Up close and personal


    Koala. Yes, we know. It looks like a toy stuffed into a tree, but no – it’s the real thing!
  • Kelly Hill Caves is a huge labyrinth within the limestone formation lying beneath the surface near the area encompassing our hike. Inside the caves are impressive displays of stalagmites and stalactites.

    Stalactites or rock icicles


    Into the Jaws of ???

Our Kangaroo Island trip was truly a memorable experience. We are most thankful to the SATEL volunteers who planned and organized this tour. Many of the Canadian Exchange Teachers living in South Australia this year were with us on this tour and we know they too share our appreciation towards SATEL.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

EVERY EXCHANGE NEEDS A LEON OR A JILL OR A ......

This blog is about people. Leon’s or Jill’s name could easily be replaced by a Doug or a Dawn, or a Scott, or a Hanlie, or a ………

Relationships are all about people. Relationships are typically either good or bad; rarely are they ambivalent. As such, people and the relationships that are formed have the ability to make an exchange experience remarkable or just run of the mill and easily forgotten. Based on our experience to date, after having been the recipients of Australian generosity and kindness, we can unequivocally state that our exchange has been incredible. We first experienced Australian geniality when we arrived in Sydney. As you may recall from the second blog entry, we were at a loss as to what we would do with our excess luggage and how would we be able to transport it to Kadina. “Peter” came to our rescue and soon sorted out the logistics of ensuring that our luggage would be delivered safety at its destination. Consequently our holiday time in Sydney didn’t miss a beat.

Next, our “Exchange Buddy – Jill” met us at the airport upon our arrival in Adelaide. We first met Jill, while she and her son Michael were on a teacher exchange to Edmonton in 2003. 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. Subsequently, we have spent a number of weekends with Jill touring the wine valleys, shopping, visiting restaurants, and familiarizing ourselves with Adelaide.


Jill misting Rick to cool him off when temperatures reached +43oC


“Leon” who has the patience of Job has been a God send for us. If we are ever in doubt about anything, Leon is there to steer us in the right direction and not lead us astray. Leon already had a car picked out for us prior to our arrival in Kadina. Given the fact that he has built a “Hot Rod” from the ground up, we had nothing but confidence in his securing a vehicle for us. Leon has also cooked, and has promised to cook, a number of curry meals for us. We are quite excited about this as we have limited experience with cooking curry dishes. On the other hand, Leon is starting to enjoy our “drip coffee” rather than the instant coffee that is commonly served in Australia.


Leon sitting beside his Hot Rod while enjoying the sunset at North Beach


“Doug and Dawn” have taken us under their wing and are showing us everything they can that is “Australian”. For example, arrangements are being made so that we can tour a sheep “station” and perhaps sheer a couple of sheep. In addition to touring a number of wineries with them, we are also scheduled to go on a camping trip to the Outback in June. With Dawn and Doug, it is starting to become a routine thing to go down to the beach on a Friday night to swim, sit and enjoy a bottle of red as the sunset disappears below the ocean and washes the weekly woes away.


The "Boys" getting ready to go Crab Raking. Doug is applying Sun Screen while Rick and Leon are ready to go.


The Boys walking out to get their catch. Unfortunately we got skunked that day as only two crabs were caught. "No worries Mate" because the journey was more enjoyable than the conquest.


Leon taking a picture of Gail posing for the camera. Doug and Dawn are more interested in the ice cold Corona with a slice of lime.


Rick and Dawn savouring that sunset Kodak moment


“Scott and Allie”, like the others mentioned above, have opened their homes and hearts to us. They have been so warm and friendly to include us in their day to day lives. Scott has taken Rick on a number of “road trips” to various towns located within a 2 – 3 hour driving distance from Kadina. Scott is in the business of erecting portable fencing and has taken Rick on the odd job as his “lackey” or “grunt”. Rick is of the view that Scott is quite comfortable with the arrangement because Rick has noticed that Scott now has no problem sitting in an air conditioned truck talking to the site foreman while his “lackey” is outside in +36oC putting up the fence. On the other hand, Rick is quite comfortable going down to Scott’s wine cellar and picking out a couple of bottles of red which is shared over an excellent BBQ meal that Scott has prepared. It seems like both of us think we have the better part of the deal. Are you getting the sense that part of the South Australian culture is to open and enjoy a bottle of wine with friends?


Rick putting up the portable fence. Where's Scott?


At work, the teachers at Gail’s school have been extremely accommodating and helpful. In Canada, Gail is solely responsible for teaching foods. In Australia, the teaching of foods is shared between three teachers. Consequently Gail’s teaching assignment also includes teaching classes in English and Social Studies. Without the able assistance of the other English and Social Studies teachers helping Gail with the curriculum, Gail’s preparation time would be exceedingly onerous.
The parents of our exchange partners have also been warm, kind and very generous. While in Adelaide, we have been invited to stay with them, as well as park our car at their place rather than at the airport, while on extended holidays. We have been made to feel very much a part of the “family”. The list of Australian hospitality could go on and on. We think you get the gist how relationships make a successful and memorable exchange.