Kathy Sykes's Mapping it Out diary, from the BBC/OU series Rough Science 2
Day 1
Made tools all morning. It took ages for me to make a giant protractor - giant to make it give more accurate readings. Also, made compass, metre measures, and plumb line. Managed it quite quickly.
Then measured out base line on beach. Very hot and sunny. Needed to test out Mike L's distance measurer against a string 'ruler'. String - all ropey and sticky - a NIGHTMARE.
Needed to get moving to get up the highest mountain. Took so long to film things - didn't have long to climb it. Had to shoot us walking (viewed through cobwebs, bushes, grass etc) - so by the time we got there barely any light left to do surveying. Kept agreeing "just this one last bit of filming - then you're free". Then the freedom wouldn't happen. Nice views though! Good place to be. Impressed by crew dragging heavy camera gear fast up a mountain without complaint.
Day 2
Another AMAZING day.
Mike L and I stomped off round the island and saw AMAZING things! This island is a very pretty place. Got really hot, crazily thirsty, sandblown, windblown, sunburnt, deep in swampy forest. Also got cross, worried, angry, delirious and vexed. Very hard work climbing up hills in this heat!
Went from bay to bay taking readings - some were rocky so had to fight with tangled string. Some beaches were so windy we could barely hold the protractor still to take a reading. We clambered up the headland that looked most northerly. It was so pretty. Crazy with cacti though - got so stabbed and cross. But the views were mind-bending. Unbelievably turquoise sea. Views around all sides - so good for mapping.
Went to a gorgeous white sandy beach for lunch. Swam and ate happily, feeling very lucky again. End part of the day were mangrove swamps. Been in mangrove swamps before but this was so special. Nothing has looked like this before. Squelched through swamp, clambered over trees and got quite hot! Zoomed back in a boat in the rain - very pretty. Surfed along on big waves under pink stormy sky - happy.
We got all the measurements! Met by cheering group - hugs, beers and enthusiasm.
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Content last updated: 27/07/2006
