Welcome to our Monthly Island Newsletter...
Phone: 021 405 9470 Fax: 021 405 9474 Email:
[email protected] Websites: www.gough.co.za
In this Issue: Main Articles: You say goodbye and we say hello... Team Introduction ‐ Chantal Steyn
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From the Teamleader’s Office – Tom McSherry
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The Spectacle that is Gough – Tumi Lefakane
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Paradise ‐ Henk Louw
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Gough – More beautiful than a naked woman ‐ Paul Visser
7 Wonders of the World – Elsabé Francis
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Freak day at Diesel Point ‐ Andries van Staden
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Cold Feet ‐ Rupert Spann
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2 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Something on the Medical side ‐ Tom McSherry
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Regular Articles: Art and Entertainment
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Photo Competition
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Weather Report
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Our Faithfull Sponsors
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You say goodbye and we say hello... We arrived on this magnificent Island on the 13th of September 2008 to relieve the 53rd expedition team which spent 14 months here to man the weather station. We spent the three‐week takeover period learning the ropes and trying to soak in all the experience they gained over the year, so that we also may have such a successful expedition. We said goodbye to the old team and the rest of civilization on the 4th of October when the S.A. Agulhas steamed homeward bound and left us here to fly our flag high... Our First view of Gough Island....
The New team saying goodbye to the Old team 4 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Sending home the S.A. Agulhas
Introducing our team... Tom Mc Sherry Medic and Team Leader Served 14 Years in the Fire brigade and 2 years for Netcare 911 as an Emergency worker. Real adrenaline Junky, jumped out of planes (Skydiving) for recreation, enjoy riding motorcycles and of course a keen fisherman and hours in the sun. Started working abroad in 2004, been to the DRC, medical orderly for a demining company, followed by a year in Iraq working for a PSD Security company. Then Sudan, demining once again as medical coordinator. Finally Marion Island 2006 and then back to Sudan, followed by some time on the Mozambican coast as medical orderly in a travel Clinic. And now Gough Island, I am so grateful to be part of the 54th expedition, and thankful for a wonderful supportive family! . ''Live your dream, don't look back. Forgive and forget and live for today, no Regrets!''
Chantal Steyn Comms Engineer and Deputy Leader I grew up in Klerksdorp, and as for some people from small towns, I couldn't wait to explore the world. I studied Computer and Electronic Engineering at the North‐West University in Potchefstroom where I stumbled upon the opportunity to join the Sanap group. I was part of the 46th Antarctic Expedition in 2007/2008, filling the position of the ANOKS/AMIGO space physicist. I'm a keen world traveller and someone who likes to explore every possible aspect of life. What a PERFECT environment to do this!! My hobbies include photography, sketching, watching movies and avoiding cooking skivvies! I expect this expedition to teach me more about myself, the people around me and appreciation for Nature, Family and even small things like fresh fruit! This serene yet brutal environment will push you to your, physical, emotional and social limits!!
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Andries van Staden Senior Meteorologist Nine years in the belly of the two headed public/private sector monster. Decided to take a one year sabbatical... for three years... so far. Member of SANAE 46. My year in Antarctica was the clearest mirror I've looked in, the most profound experience of my life. I'll recommend it to anyone. Gough is an exciting new chapter with old and new friends that I have the huge privilege of being part of. "To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know."(Kingsolver) Still an atavistic endeavour.
Vincent Rademeyer Diesel mechanic Age 34. I grew up in Transvaal and Kwazulu Natal. Started my apprenticeship in 1999 in Wingfield Collage and passed trade test in 2002 at Naval Dockyard. My hobbies are drawing and building up motorcycles . Sport will be Swimming , Cycling , running , and motocross. Was a team member of Sanae 46 in Antarctica in 2007. Would like to visit countries like Canada , Russia and China.
Itumeleng Lefakane Junior Meteorologist Name Itumeleng Lefakane ‘ngwana wa Ramatlabama’ (600) Mafikeng (‘Maf‐town motsemoshate re tshela ditlhaketlhake thupa boss’ easy) with a nickname ‘DJ’ you just know that ‘iam music’ get it? Music…booze…girls and all things wonderful and glorious. Received my bachelors degree in 2005 with Wits (suckers still have my honours degree) ‘guess who’s getting payed’ be assured I will definitely settle my bill with y’all fools. Have the love for adventure hence my part with the 2008‐09 GOUGH team, team GOUGH54 ‘the rulers’ we gonna revolutionize island life just watch this space or ask the birds.
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Rupert Spann Junior Meteorologist Born scientist, evolved explorer! Created my own Mathematics and Computer Science degree with bits of philosophy, psychology to spice it up, and a post grad in Astrophysics and Space science.
I have tracked stars through telescopes, trekked solo up mountains, dived below the oceans, mountaineered in the Himalayas, explored caverns underground and did some microlight flying. Hitchhiked and traveled in Southern Africa, Central America, the Indian Nepal, Western Europe, Canada. "an unabashed bibliophile and philomath ‐ with polymathic ambitions" – Saleem Barmania . Now the opportunity has arrived to learn some meteorology sit in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and experience a little of the power of mother nature... how could I refuse.
Paul Albertus Visser Senior Research Assistant I am from Namibia and studied Nature Conservation at Cape Town University of Technology. Finished in 2006. Then spent a year and a bit at Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve before going to Marion Island for 13 months (Marion 64). Hobbies are Bow hunting and Fishing. I also play rugby. I enjoy the great outdoors.
Henk Louw Senior Research Assistant
Born and bred in Cape Town. Studied Nature Conservation At the Cape Peninsula University of technology before enrolling in this exciting career. I was presented with the opportunity to spend a year on Marion Island in 2007 ‐ 2008 as part of the Marion 64 team, which I dearly treasure in my heart. I am excited to have the opportunity to be part of the Gough Island 54 expedition and at the same time butterflies are rumbling within my core, but it’s a good rumble, one of adventure, one of exploration, one of transcending meaning to which my understanding is not able yet. "If you get one chance, would you have the guts to take and make a success of it. Would you step out in faith?"
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From the Teamleader’s Office... Hello and welcome to all our readers! I suppose one start at the beginning of this Voyage, or should I rather go back right to the very beginning, there where the egg was laid and finally hatched? Well then, it all began with a dream, maybe a vision. Some of us were born this way, always seek the horizon with a ‘wonder what’s it like on the other side’, and no matter how many times I was warned that the ‘grass is always greener on the other side’, the adventurous side always came out top’s and so the birth of yet another exiting chapter in the lives of 8 expedition members. Gough Island is a volcanic island in the central South Atlantic Ocean, about 2700 km south south‐west from Cape Town and over 3200 km from the nearest point of South America. It lies at latitude 40° 20' South and longitude 9° 54' West. We have done our individual training in our line of profession in the various disciplines, the meteorologists where trained at the South African Weather Service at Pretoria East, the Diesel Technician and Radio Technician in Cape Town mainly at DEAT’s head quarters and the two field assistants done an advanced rope access course in Cape Town. I did a month in the DEAT office Pretoria, then a week Advanced Trauma life support in Chris Barnard memorial hospital Cape town followed by a week dental training Simons town, special word of thanks to Dr. Charles Janse van Rensburg (Navy). Then it was all fun and games, titled TEAM TRAINING!!
In brief we kicked off with a welcome and introduction from Eric Buenk (course coordinator), a welcome from our director Mr Henry Valentine and oom Sam learning us more about the history of Tristan Da Cunha and Gough Island. The next day made room for Psychological and spiritual session at Ysterplaat air force base Cape Town. Thanks to Chaplain Kobus de Lange for a valuable yet fun filled day course. Then it was Fire Training at Red Watch Tokai (3 day course), being a Fireman for 14 years (left the service late 2001) this brought back golden memories. They managed to give us a real beefy course, from the basic pan fire to Search and rescue working in a complete
dark, smoke filled and warm training plant – confined space entry with BA (Breathing apparatus) and a dummy to be rescued! I rate this course 5 stars and it is highly recommended for team building! This was followed by a Cooking class at Pick a Pay school of cooking, and a basic first aid course by the Red Cross. A special thanks to Erik Beunk for a professional laid out team training course!
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The morning of the 4th of September 08 brought mixed emotions of happiness and sadness, of sheer excitement and one could feel the adrenaline pumping through the veins. Adios Cape Town or rather, goodbye South Africa and loved ones, till we meet again! We had mainly ‘flat seas’, I for one do not complain. The 12 Gale force storm which brought the ‘Cowry Dancer’ down in April 2007 is
still clear in my mind, I was the medic on that voyage and Gavin (2nd mate SA Agulhas at that time, now Mate) and I was dropped in the Ocean by helicopter to do the rescue. The captain and two crew members were saved, but we had to call of the search and rescue the following day for the missing sailor which was never found. he arrival at Tristan Da Cunha was a chapter on its own, and I would like to do an article on this in the next issue. Gough was roughly another 24 hours down South or rather 255miles. First Impressions of Gough Island….WOW!! It is so beautiful!! I flew over on the inspection flight, and had the privilege to be the first of my team on the Island. The outgoing team leader named Sarel Steyn was also of mixed emotions, wanted to go home to his family just as much as he wanted to stay another year! Take over party was followed by the longest week, no offence G53 or dear visitors, but please leave, we need our space! We finally celebrated ‘freedom day’, followed by Dries B’day party! Dries and Chantal gave birth to a website where they give a detailed summary of events 9 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
during team training, the voyage, Tristan and Gough Island. This will be updated on a regular basis. Just a reminder, Dries is the editor, thanks to all who sympathized, but it wasn’t me who needed a dentist on Tristan, it was Dries! Please feel free to visit our webpage on www.gough.co.za The last Paragraph is a big thank you, thanks to all the families who are supporting us, and give us an opportunity to live our dream. Thanks to G54 for being great team even from day one! Thanks to DEAT Cape Town, Mr Valentine for the farewell lunch, Erik Buenk for an absolute well organized professional Team Training course, Oom Sam our dear DCO and tour guide, Gideon for the communication system, The Watson Brothers for their participation and help on the Island, to Mr Richard Skinner for professional way of getting the job done during appointment and training, Susan Vosloo the supportive ‘pillar’, Eugene (Ouma), Nick and Rebecca from DEAT Pta and all other, to many to mention every name, THANK YOU ALL!! ‐ Tom Mc Sherry
The Spectacle that is Gough... Small towns or villages have their way of messing or blessing one’s mind. Take me for instance I am from a small village where people are full of hope and dreams, but for most of them those hopes and dreams remain just that. Small town folks always seem to work their way up in the world, they work their way up with serious strength and ambition. If you ask me I will tell you that that vigour is derived from the fact that odds are always stacked against them. They are told that they will never amount to nothing (by their loser teachers) and will always be village dwellers with no chance of glamour or fun. Well I say booo‐hoo! I am a village boy and am determined to be glamorous and see tons of places be it other villages or towns. Now right back to the matter at hand. Gough Island as a spectacle, three years or more should anyone ever told me that I would leave our country; I would have laughed so hard that I would be left in tears. Well that is neither here nor there I have left the country and most definitely am living on an Island, in the South Atlantic nog al…Well tell me now who is not travelling the world now? This island is Magnificent its beauty is nothing I have ever seen except my mother’s beautiful face (may her soul rest in peace). It is untainted and full of virgin spirit, everything is where it should be, although humans have been coming here for years their footprints and disastrous tendencies are nowhere to be seen. We as the 54th team will endeavour to also leave the island intact the way we found it. The air is much fresher and when one looks out he/she establishes that once in everyone’s life they should be able to see such spectacle. They should walk on a land full of flora and fauna so magnificent that one feels like 10 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
crying. Where birds see human beings as friends not enemies, allow you to come closer to them without fear of been eaten or killed. Where their only reaction is natural as should everything be. Where one is able to stand in front of a waterfall and feel invincible, well I have experienced that. That is why I am saying Gough Island is a spectacle worth seeing, my only worry is that village dwellers that mind you always appreciate life and small things, might not always get a chance to see such glamour. The fact of the matter is that our first chance out of the village (at least few of us…those not affected by big city lights) always strives to go back and share with the little people our experiences. Sharing is good but sometimes leaves one wondering if only a select few get to experience such greatness. Therefore it is always good for one to experience such wonderful places like Gough for themselves. Well what I am saying is that had it not been for one of my sister’s friends, I wouldn’t have been able to experience the spectacle which is Gough Island. So I am saying there is a lot that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, can do to advance their reach to the small people and allow them to become part of such magnificent adventures. I believe that their (little people) proximity to nature and long tradition of caring for the environment (as opposed to city dwellers) place them right there as protectors of the environment and the world. So I would really hate it to be one of the few who experienced such magnificence so I am saying DEAT should look into the promotion of such chances, let it cover the whole spectrum of our country and allow people to take their chance. Maybe just maybe they might end up at Gough or any of the other SANAP projects having times of their lives……by Itumeleng Lefakane.
Paradise... What is Paradise then? To some people, it means lying on the golden sands of an island far away in the middle of the tropics, sipping cocktails with umbrellas, while being bathed in the sun's crisp rays. Some people think paradise to be walking in the Amazon forest, or camping out in the bushveld. Visiting the dunes or standing on stage, loosing yourself in the music as your electric guitar is streaming and wailing into the night. To me, well, I love Nature and I love music. But to have both of them at the same time is an experience beyond any words. About 3 years back, in 2006, I bought my first guitar. It was an custom made acoustic SX guitar, the perfect beginners package. Then this year upon going back to South Africa, after spending the year on Marion, I bought my own little black beauty. She is beautiful and to accompany her, I got myself a Harmonica (my little baby blue). Don’t know much of how to play the harmonica yet, but the year is still long, and time is plenty..... as some said..... it’s nice because you can carry it in your pocket. And true, it is much more mobile than the guitar. So we were sitting at the Glen, Paul and I. Having our dinner, consisting of tinned viennas and bullybeef on
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bread, after our day of walking and swimming, with the intention of proceeding the next day to count the elephant seals on the eastern shore. But there we were, the tent flapping in the back as the wind started picking up slightly, the sun setting behind the Rowetts, and darkness creeping in like a thief in the night, a soft unsure note broke the silence and the night was decorated with the sound of the Harmonica. Now, being my first try at this, it was but a couple of blows and pulls, and hoping it comes out right, so that one would at least be able to bite on that bullybeef samie without a false note destroying the moment.... But the moment did last, and it was the best bullybeef samie I’ve ever had. I see paradise not only as a place or destination. I see it as a specific moment at a specific place and time that moves you inwardly to a greater peace. It is in these moments that our ways of thinking are altered to become greater than before. We see colours more brightly, difficulties more clearly and even a sad face cracks into a smile. Paradise is all around us, all we need is that trigger, but do we know what that trigger is? And when we do know, will we implement it? ‐
Henk Louw
This is the life...
Gough... more beautiful than a naked woman. I found a life well worth living on Gough Island. Lots of food, calmness and the beautiful sight of mountains falling into the sea and the movement of birds in every corner of your eye.
healthy in fish and it’s like a bonus medical prescription on Gough.
It’s not often that you get a chance to live out your fantasies of leading off into the wilderness for a year, but on this beautiful island, its heaven and it’s nice to live on. As a field assistant on Gough Island, this is life to live. The island is full of lovely places, a lot of birds and seals and a big mountain to climb. The evenings are filled with sounds of night birds and the sizzling of the wind in the tussocks. One thing of living of the island is working hard in the field and having the pleasure to take your fishing rod and catch some dinner for the day. We already have a couple of good days fishing and I caught a big Snoek and a Jacoppewer out of the couple. The omega 3 fatty acids are very
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The famous Jacoppewer The first month was great and there’s more to come on this beautiful Island!!
Wild Life We walked all over the island the first month and saw a lot of different bird’s species and seals especially when we want to the eastern sides of the island. Walking everyday and camping in the field at night, bully beef never tasted better and rounded of the meal with tin fruit before getting into your sleeping bag. I also saw a Salvins Albatross not common to Gough Island.
Salvins Albatross
Elephant Seal
Seven Wonders of the World... A group of Geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Egypt's Great Pyramids Taj Mahal Grand Canyon Panama Canal Empire State Building St. Peter's Basilica China's Great Wall.
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
to touch to taste to see to hear . . . She hesitated a little, and then; to run to laugh And to love!
Visiting Gough Island is living the Seven Wonders of the World. Waking up before sunrise, you can hear the call of the Sootie Albatrosses. Walking through the thick vegetation you learn to observe nature, touching the trees and the soft moist earth beneath your feet. You open your eyes to the most wonderful bird and sea life. You taste the blood in your mouth as you struggle to walk along a path that is not manmade. Rain keeps on falling in your face and a Skua tries to fight the wind. Away from the rush of civilisation you learn to love and laugh again with team members. This was life for me on the Island for 3 weeks. Thanks to God for the opportunity. Chaplain E. Francis
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Freak day at Diesel Point... In a massive obliteration of truth and logic a freak day of fishing was experienced at Diesel‐Point.
Staying behind was as pointless as picking the teeth of a leopard seal for fresh vegetables. I went with.
Ominous signs of weirdness and cruel destiny were there from the moment I woke up for my day‐shift. I stumbled into the kitchen to find Chantal busy preparing breakfast. Not even delusional psychotic inspiration could explain the sight of sizzling bacon and Chantal in a kitchen at 0500. I circled the kitchen table, poured a large cup of black tar coarse ground Bolivian brew and poked at the cooking apparition with a bent fork. She took a wild bacon fat spatchela swing at my head which transformed my fears of severe hallucination into fearful acceptance of twisted reality. I decided to calmly creep my way back to the Met‐office. I could barricade myself there for days, beating off any blood zombie body‐ snatcher attack with the Windows 98 back‐up PC.
The afternoon started out innocuous enough, with Tumi still chewing on green sponge and Paul humming old Bee Gee tunes, pitch perfect, the day was saturated with weirdness.
Almost at the kitchen door I bumped into Tumi, joyfully masticating a large piece of green flower arranging sponge. He fixed me with wild uneven constricted pupils, shoved the sponge in my face and grinned…”Cake?”. I wanted to drop my coffee, scream like a petrified Skua and run for the hills. Instead, I said no thank you, and courageously made my way to the Met‐office without running or crying. By this time a derelict fear gave me a bear‐hug, slapped me on the back and whispered, “You’re screwed buddy, soon they’ll come to tare your lips off and gnaw on your gums.”
I spent the morning in a hopeless daze, avoiding my raging team‐mates insanely vacuuming passages for misplaced reality, doing my observations. Because in the last hour of the universe, the moment before God thinks Ctrl‐Alt‐Del, there will be meteorologists, sending in their observations, yearning for objectivity.
TomVanBrits caught the first one, a nice sized Jacopever that seemed to give him some pleasure. Not as much pleasure as Vincent and his first catch it seemed. Catching the next Jacopever, Vince mumbled something about Jakoba and proceeded with a moment that left most of us whistling embarrassed, intently examining our finger nails.
Early afternoon, abandoned by purpose, at the end of my shift the team decided to go fishing at Diesel‐Point.
I wasn’t taking my eyes of these crazies though, still fully expecting an imminent ultra‐violent incident. One
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consolation was the fact that live‐bait precludes murder. Hope ain’t the only thing that floats…
The Vincent charm seemed to work though as he next hooked a monster that doubled over his rod and seemed to be pulling him in. The snoek has got a loony on the line, I thought. Unlucky as far as fish go, the poor bastard had no chance. It was a fierce fight. Screaming taunts and wild challenges at Neptune, Vincent drove his reality‐impaired team mates into wild fits. I watched the mood spiral out of control and expected every moment to be my last. Slipping behind a rock hiding from the feral madness, I watched as he tore the giant from the blue. I managed to snap this as he climbed on the rock were I hid, growling rabid curses of marine supremacy. I kept snapping away with my little digital camera in self defence, soothing the ego of the beast, saving my bacon for another breakfast.
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After that, the ocean went quiet, taunting delusions, hypnotizing hallucinations winding the anglers tighter than a Titan knot on a 4ton container. I could feel their boredom crackle on the surface of the sun. I saw them turning to me, pointing, whispering wild and the fear tore at my scalp. Ye gods, Hunter in heaven, this is the end of me brother! Then Mother Nature and the ocean sent five‐fingers and a snoek to save my life. A giant hand took hold of Pauls hook and pulled. I thought from the speed that the line unwound there was no chance he could hold it. The crazies jumped in circles and barked at his line as the reel screamed white heat. Then TomVanBrits gets yanked off his feet, dragged on the rocks Tumi and Henk grabbing at his gumboots as he’s about to go down. Caught just in time Tom has a megaladon on handline twisted three times around his fore‐arm screaming in pain fighting. Both anglers hold their quarries as the crazies hold them all, slobbering, eyes popping and I stand in awe of this ancient battle. Nature can put up a fight but rarely has a fighting chance.
Eventually, after hours of blood and sweat and mad oaths the monsters were dislodged from their watery home. 17 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
And Tom gave me a disprin and a valoid and a stern warning against eating bully beef that expired 3 years ago. Apparently I spent food poisoned hours in front of my computer, doctoring photos and drooling incoherent drivel about evil little nasties… but I saw the fish in the freezer…and I smell bacon… maybe my own.
Cold Feet... My toes a pretty cold, as I have taken to walking around the base barefoot ‐ permanently. I have the unfortunate problem of have the apex of body sliced on every other doorway, and on the other doorway on my return. It depends if I manage to get a foothold before the doorframe and the arc subtended by the ball of my foot is on a descending trajectory before I cross the threshold of the ascending trajectory of the exit on the heel. This had forced me into looking down all the time. Just to avoid those moment when you forget to look down, which the frame will soon enough remind you of your folly. An alteration of the frames would be ideal, or wearing head protection every time I walked out my room would be an alternative; this would not prevent the encounters, merely make them less painful, although getting caught speeding through the doorway may result in feet entering the next frame long before the head arrives and all within 20cm of the ground.
Ultimately trimming a few centimetres of my height seem to be the solution, the cold toes the consequence. This height issue seems to be cruel joke of some design flaw. Since each trip into the kitchen over the skirting crossing the doorways allows not only for cold toes, but sore ones as well. Reminds me of two signs I simultaneously saw at a restaurant in some building built in the 17th century, where people where no higher than 17decimetre. The sign at the step on the floor and the sign at frame at your face read “mind your head” and “Mind the Step” respectively. The kitchen adds another cruel trick the punishment as the stove has been guarded by an extractor system. Any attempt to get a look at “what’s cooking” or a waft of the aromas is rudely interrupted by the guardian from above‐ while sore toes are cooled by the floor. ‐ Rupert Spann
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Something on the Medical side... Pain Have anyone ever written anything more but a few words about the four letter word pain? We all feel pain from time to time; pain is so commonly experienced that we would like to believe that it is natural. What will the definition of pain be? Maybe not so easy do define! I will have a go: ‘’Pain is an unpleasant stimulus that can range from mild discomfort to agony, warning one when body and/or soul is about to hurt more than naturally acceptable’’ Does that make sense? I guess a little…
X ray Image of a Femur Fracture Much has been done in terms of pain management both physical as well as psychological. On the other hand, when the body hurt, doesn’t the soul? When the soul hurt, the body feel weak and is affected. Haven’t most of us been hurt in a broken relationship, and lost a lot of weight as a direct result thereof, or maybe gained weight? I once talked to a child psychologist, and she believed that obesity in most children is a direct result of pain management. A child knows that when he or she feel hungry and have something to eat, you immediately 19 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
feel better. When they hurt sometimes, all they know that help make things better is to have something to eat! I’ve seen people grow old because of pain, heartbroken people just as much as patients who live with the physical pain of a medical illness. Why do I find it necessary to write and share an article about ‘pain’ with fellow islanders and Family? First reason and probably most important of all; we are remote, if something would happen, for one will the medic or doctor need to hike to your location with fellow team members over rough terrain and challenging weather conditions by carrying rescue equipment. Secondly will it take the ship dispatched for the medical evacuation anything from 4 to 5 days to the Islands and way longer to Antarctica. This rescue missions are always weather dependant. Then you got to be prepared for the psychological hardship, how many times have we seen broken relationships on the Islands, it take some real commitment to wait up to 13 months for a partner! The one we can’t really predict, is how we will handle bad news from home, real bad news…sometimes even the idea can make one feel so vulnerable. Cancer A word colder than ice, cut through the deepest deep. Spare no one, young and old, all are vulnerable. Haven’t we all skipped an article about cancer in the weekly magazine, just maybe we choose to ignore because of fear? How many of u know someone or at least heart about someone in our community who has cancer? Will this be a death sentence; will people with cancer be treated like leprosy patients of yesteryear, like if it is a highly contagious illness? Does anyone know how lonely a cancer patient is in general? Back at pain, yes thanks to
the medical technology doctors and medics can do a lot to help patients cope with the physical pain, there is the morphine’s and other, but all at a cost and after a while the body might show signs of resistance, even worse; dependency. Limit the risk factors, I for one quit smoking 6 Nov 06 on Marion Island. Use alcohol responsively and adopt a healthy lifestyle, e.g. eat enough green vegetables and exercise. Deal with it
fellow Islanders before, let’s learn from their mistakes and think before you do! Don’t let a ‘mishap stand in the way of what was supposedly meant to be the best year of your life! It concludes to be a touchy subject, but I do need to ask our readers to be more safety orientated and sensitive, please identify the ones near and dear to us who do need a ‘hug’ or a rose to enlighten their day, do make time and give the flowers while we still can! By Tom Mc Sherry
We are adventurous, we live life to its full but we need to take calculated risks. It has gone wrong for some 20 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Art and Entertainment... If the Normal Island weather traps us inside the base for a few days at a time, we all look to our Creative sides to keep busy or just relax with a book, listen to music or indulge in a marathon movie session... This is what the bad weather produced this month...
Item
Description
Artist
Pencil Sketch of an Eagle
Vincent Rademeyer
Red Lorrie made from Wood ‐ for Andries’s birthday
Vincent Rademeyer
Albatross made from Wood – for Andries’s birthday
Tom McSherry
“Air Guitar” made from heavy metal ‐ for Andries’s Birthday
Rupert Spann
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Book review:
Shame Salman Rushdie
with Sofia Zinobia Hyder the personification of shame and its destructive power. As always Rushdie weaves fact and fantasy into an almost believable tapestry while thoroughly entertaining the reader. He comments on the contradictions in his native country, Pakistan, and makes use of the destructive power of shame in order to highlight some of the wrongs (echoes of South‐Africa).
The master tells a story where he studies shame in the twisted context of Pakistan, politically and socially. In a country where shame can be a death sentence but fantasy truth, he follows the rise and fall of the Hyders, Harappas and the unlikely hero, Omar Khayyam Shakil
I have never subscribed to authors criticizing from a distance but in Rushdie’s defence, staying in Pakistan would be suicide… and probably not as comfortable as London, or where ever he hides these days. I recommend any Rushdie book, purely on its entertainment value and are pretty glad he kept his head all these years. ‐ Dries
Movie Review: I might have not been around during the 70’s when the popular TV series Starsky and Hutch was been aired on the tube. Well I do not weep over that, since my absence allowed me to see the even funnier movie version of the TV series (still young ‘nog al’). This movie focuses on the lives of two undercover cops Starsky (Ben Stiller) and Hutch (Owen Wilson). Their different approach towards their job encourages their superior to team them up to solve a murder which opens up a can of drug dealing underworld. Under the auspices of yet again a funny man Vince Vaughn who has managed to produce non‐detectable drugs and aims at distributing them without any detection. Stiller and Owen have always been very funny chaps and they do the movie justice, as I have already mentioned I was absent during the 70’s but I believe that their impeccable performs does not strip the TV series of its honour.
Starsky and Hutch
That might be the exact reason why at the end of the movie the original Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Hutch (David Soul ) from the TV series make an appearance. This DVD is worth purchasing if you are one for laughter, so go ahead shop around and sit at home alone or with family and laugh till you all cry. For this reason from Gough Island we give it 9 skuas. ‐ Tumi
22 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Photo Competition... Each month, the team will enter their favourite photographs into this competition. You will then decide which photo you like best and why. We will then telly the votes and announce the winning photographer in the next month’s Bunting. Please vote by sending us an email or give us a phone call: email:
[email protected]
021 405 9470
Phone:
Photo
Description
1. Skua, showing us where all that noise comes from...
2. Yellow Nose Albatross. Mayday.....mayday...!!!!!
23 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
3. Skua (Maxine) and her 2 (1week old) babies.
4. Prominent rock feature on the way to Gonydale.
5. Yellow Nose Albatross... Are you lookin at me??? ...Huh??
24 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
6. Skua on the attack!!
7. Yellow Nose Albatross... I’ll keep my Yellow‐nose in my own business...
25 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Weather Report... Pressure Ave. Max Pressure Ave. Min Pressure Ave. Pressure Max Pressure Min Pressure
1014.8 hPa 1005.5 hPa 1009.9 hPa 1028.0 hPa 979.6 hPa
Temperature Ave. Max Temp Ave. Min Temp Ave. Temp Max Temp Min Temp
13.5 °C 8.1 °C 10.8 °C 17.2 °C 4.5 °C
Humidity Ave Humidity Max Humidity Min Humidity
78 % 97 % 48 %
Wind Max Wind Gust
29.3 m/s or 105.5 km/h
Rainfall Total Rainfall Highest in 24 Hours Total days with rain Total days >1mm Total Sunshine
26 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
371.8 mm 92.4 mm 22 days 15 days 131.2 hours
Our Faithfull Sponsors... Sponsor of the month....
Energade, sponsored by Tiger Brands...
Andries and Chantal re‐ energizing with Energade at the top of Gonydale.
Stella – Enjoying some refreshment after a long walk...
Loads of Books
Caps
Hours of Entertainment – DVDs
27 Gough Island Bunting | October 2008
Website: www.gough.co.za
Sunglasses
Satellite Radio supscription, T‐shirts and pens
Castle Lager
Mountain mail Order – Camping Equipment Fred Tucker Agencies – Fishing tackle ORMS – Camera Equipment
