Conservation project Malgas Island, Saldanha - Day 1

I think i have died and gone to heaven! We arrived on Malgas island this morning round 7.30ish and there are birds everywhere! There are about 80000 Gannets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Gannet as well as Cormorant's, Common Terns, Penguins, Kelp gulls even Pigeons. There are no other people except myself and Heidi on the island and all these wonderful birds, heaven, i think i mentioned that already!

The island is really quite small you can get round it in about 40 minutes and you can see over most of it from the roof of the outside toilet! Ah yes the facilities are pretty basic, outside loo which has to be emptied once a day and no running water but hey who needs luxury when you are a survivor!!

No Pelicans spotted today but the Kelp gulls are a real problem as well. We saw them kill what we thought was a baby cormorant but could have been a baby pigeon it was horrible. They dive bomb us when you get to close to them and one even dropped a nice present on me, grrrrr, in addition they steal the Gannets eggs and obviously eat them we counted at least 4 today. These Kelp gulls are really quite aggressive, they try and scare the birds off the nest so they can steal their eggs or small babies! I tell you its wild out here but i am loving it!

Have a look at our life on the island here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sbramhall/2010103002#

Back in the game!

Joining http://www.capecrossfit.com/  earlier in the year to achieve my fitness goals has been a lot harder than i anticipated. Initially the dread of getting up in the winter months and struggling so hard to do the workouts i often wondered if it was all worth it, but it has really paid off! Warning - this gym is not for sissies! After 6 months of perseverance i am definitely reaping the benefits, I even  managed to enter and finish a 5km fun run totally unbelievable for me!!

With Jobst my trainer finishing the race!

The current challenge at the gym besides exercise is an eating plan one which i am whole heartily taking part of - its called the Paleo Diet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet and is actually really nice once you get the hang of it!  Basically no carbs, no diary just natural protein, fruit and veg, yum! I have to say even in week 3 i miss sugar big time but i substitute with lots of fruit which helps! I will post my achievements after the 8 week period and then you can watch me grow fat as i re indulge in my great weakness, cheesecake!