Testing your mettle
Mike's got a spot of trouble - he's suffering from the corrosive effects of seawater. But he's got a plan, as you can find out in the reef video extra.
The reef diaries
Mike Bullivant's diary about the challenge for the Reef programme, from the BBC/OU series Rough Science 5
This last challenge [next week's challenge was filmed earlier - editor's note] will show Science in the service of the environment; a nice counter to the bad press that it usually gets. Our job is collectively to build a defence mechanism and alarm to stop boats approaching one of the beautiful, protected coral reefs off Zanzibar. My role is simple - to build the support system for Jonathan's trip wire. Couldn't be easier, and I get a lot of help from the 'boys'. One idea of mine gets a 'no' vote from Kate, but I go ahead with it anyway - the use of turmeric roots to provide a vivid, yellow dye for some 'hazard' flags for the poles.
Yet another four-day challenge! Day one's spent travelling all the way to Chumbe Island off Zanzibar's south-west coast for a recce. A long car drive followed by a 90-minute boat trip makes for a tiring morning. On top of that, there's not a lot that Jonathan and I can be getting on with away from the workshop. Jonathan may run short of time as a result of this 'wasted' day, but I'll be ok. I don't have very much to do, but he has.
Day 2
A slow, unhurried day, at the end of which we've produced 14 insulated and flagged poles, weighted with rocks, and buoyed by empty mineral-water bottles. Thanks to John Eastman and Ali for their help with the flags, and to Tony and Simon for scouring the beach for rocks with the right kind of holes. Together we've achieved a lot today. It's going to look good, but will it work?
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Content last updated: 26/01/2005
