Geographical articles from October 2005

Geographical archives from October 2005

The battle for accuracy.(FROM THE EDITOR)(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... Judging by the letters I receive here on a regular basis, there's one thing that all geographers have in common, and that is the need for, and the pleasure taken in, factual accuracy. Despite our best efforts, every now and then, we make the...

Project helps Scilly seals.(Worldwatch)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... UK The Earthwatch Institute has launched the first survey of grey seals in the Scilly Isles amid concerns that their numbers are being affected by oil pollution and overfishing. The project will initially comprise four groups of volunteers each...

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation UK.(ONLINE)
October 1, 2005... The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation UK has launched a website to highlight the plight of orangutans smuggled to Thailand for use in kick boxing shows. The site aims to give visitors practical information on how they can help stop the...

Scientists, campaigners, editors, journalists and representatives of governments will debate coverage of the environment in the media at a conference in Kuching, Malaysian Borneo, between 30 November and 2 December.(BORNEO)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Scientists, campaigners, editors, journalists and representatives of governments will debate coverage of the environment in the media at a conference in Kuching, Malaysian Borneo, between 30 November and 2 December. Among those speaking at the...

The British government's Darwin Initiative has earmarked 10.5million [pounds sterling] to fund 60 projects that involve experts from British universities working with local communities.(UK)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The British government's Darwin Initiative has earmarked 10.5million [pounds sterling] to fund 60 projects that involve experts from British universities working with local communities in some of the world's poorest areas.

Kew identifies African hotspot.(Worldwatch)(Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the National Herbarium of Cameroon have discovered a new centre of plant diversity in tropical Africa)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... UK Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the National Herbarium of Cameroon have discovered a new centre of plant diversity in tropical Africa. Kupe-Bakossi in Cameroon is proving to be the top location for documented plant...

Eight new world heritage sites designated.(Worldwatch)(UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed eight new World Heritage sites )
October 1, 2005... The 29th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Durban, South Africa has inscribed eight new World Heritage sites onto its list, and the remote Scottish archipelago of St Kilda has become one of only 24 sites that have been given two...

Amnesty International.(UK)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Amnesty International has launched a mini protest badge consisting of a metal placard and real wood handle for people to show their support for human rights. The Protect the Human badges cost 2 [pounds sterling], are available in three colours...

Top 10 highest economic growth: annual percentage increase in real GDP, 1992-2002.(Worldwatch)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Top 10 Highest Economic Growth Annual percentage increase in real GDP, 1992-2002 1 Bosnia 20.5 2 Liberia 9.4 3...

The use of circle fishing hooks reduces the incidental deaths of species such as the loggerhead and leatherback turtles, according to new research.(ECUADOR)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The use of circle fishing hooks reduces the incidental deaths of species such as the loggerhead and leatherback turtles, according to new research. A year long study involving 115 Ecuadorian fishing vessels showed that by catch was reduced by...

Astronomers have identified a new planet larger than Pluto orbiting the Sun.(SPACE)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Astronomers have identified a new planet larger than Pluto orbiting the Sun. 2003 UB313 is the farthest known object in the solar system, around 14 billion kilometres from the Sun--about three times Pluto's current distance from the Sun.

Conservation charity the Tree Council says its Tree Warden Scheme devoted 18 million hours to protecting and planting trees in 2004.(UK)
October 1, 2005... Conservation charity the Tree Council says its Tree Warden Scheme devoted 18 million hours to protecting and planting trees in 2004. Now in its 15th year, the project saw 7,500 volunteers plant around 100 trees each.

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913): English naturalist and anthropologist who developed a theory of evolution at the same time as Darwin, but received little recognition because of his low social and scientific standing.(Late Great Geographers #60)(Biography)
October 1, 2005... What was his background? Alfred Russel Wallace was born on 8 January 1823 in the village of Usk, Monmouthshire (now Gwent), the eighth of nine children. He became interested in botany, geology and astronomy, while working with his brother...

50 years ago today ... Geographical magazine, October 1955.(Worldwatch)
October 1, 2005... The October 1955 Geographical published an article by R M Lockley entitled 'The Lives of Seals' which described the different sub-species of seals, their geographical spread and breeding patterns. Lockley's research on the grey seal proved that...

Good news from Nepal's rhinos.(WORLDWATCH)(gang of eight rhino poachers has been arrested)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... NEPAL Police in Nepal have arrested a gang of eight rhino poachers who were selling the horns of the endangered Indian rhinoceros for enormous sums. During the past five years, poaching has reduced Nepal's rhino population by more than 30 per...

Mozambique.(GEOGRAPHICAL FLAGS OF THE WORLD)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... DESCRIPTION: The flag of Mozambique consists of three equally sized horizontal bands of green, black and yellow; the black central stripe is edged in white. On the hoist side is a red triangle containing a yellow, five-pointed star. An open...

The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTM&H).(Geographical Organisations of Note)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... When was the RSTM&H founded and how? Granted by Royal Favour, the society was founded in 1907.The first president was Sir Patrick Manson, who is today acknowledged as the father of tropical medicine. Ronald Ross, the discoverer of...

Storm-tide surges: weatherwatch with BBC weather forecaster Helen Willetts.
October 1, 2005... What is a tidal surge? Surges are changes to tides caused by meteorological influences. They can be both positive and negative. Higher water levels are caused by water being driven towards coasts, which often pose a threat to public...

The international Cassini spacecraft has found evidence of a huge cloud of water vapour over Saturn's tiny moon Enceladus.(SPACE)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The international Cassini spacecraft has found evidence of a huge cloud of water vapour over Saturn's tiny moon Enceladus, which was long thought to be cold and still Scientists believe this may be a sign of active ice volcanoes.

The maximum jail sentence for selling endangered species products has increased from two to five years.(UK)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The maximum jail sentence for selling endangered species products has increased from two to five years. Until changes in the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations came into force on 21 July, a person could be arrested...

Stray animals are to be arrested by police and held until their owners pay fines as part of attempts to curb the number of road accidents in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna.(NIGERIA)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Stray animals are to be arrested by police and held until their owners pay fines as part of attempts to curb the number of road accidents in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna. Owners who fail to pay the fines will see their animals auctioned...

Quizzical: this month Chris Edwards discusses armed police, salination in the Persian Gulf, Holland and The Netherlands, whether the Great Wall of China is visible from space and 'green tomatoes'.
October 1, 2005... Is the UK the only country to have an unarmed police force? W Sheerer, Loughton The British police aren't entirely unarmed: they had truncheons for years until they were replaced by telescopic batons. Now, a few police officers in...

Modern images online.
October 1, 2005... Since the Society launched its Picture Library website in February, the image bank has almost doubled in size, and there has been an influx of modern images from contemporary photographers. Among these are pictures from Michael Hughes, who has...

Diary date.
October 1, 2005... Are you planning fieldwork or exploration in 20067 Organised by the Society's Expedition Advisory Centre, Explore 2005 is the place to find inspiration, contacts and practical advice. More than 100 leading field scientists and explorers will be...

Annual conference sparks debate.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... The Society's annual international conference is one of the largest gatherings of geographical minds in Europe. The three-day event was held in early September, and allowed researchers to discuss their cutting-edge research, techniques, news...

Schools membership programme.(In Society: A round-up of news, views and recent and forthcoming events at the RGS-IBG)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Given enough informed and exciting educational opportunities, younger people are able to gain a lasting and balanced understanding of the issues facing the world today and to assess how they can make a lasting contribution. Recognising...

Lecture of the month: 13 October, 7pm.(In Society: A round-up of news, views and recent and forthcoming events at the RGS-IBG)
October 1, 2005... Iceland: The spiritual home of glaciology (LECTURE, HIGH WYCOMBE) All you ever wanted to know about glaciers, from the way they have shaped landscapes to how they respond to global warming. Iceland is home to some of Europe's largest...

A selection of October's society events.(In Society: A round-up of news, views and recent and forthcoming events at the RGS-IBG)(Calendar)
October 1, 2005... For details, please contact the Events Office on 020 7591 3100 * 1 October, 1.30pm-6.30pm Free Tibet Campaign film (FILM & LECTURE, LONDON) Climber and author Joe Simpson presents his biographical film Touching the Void. Also...

Join the Society--get the magazine.(In Society: A round-up of news, views and recent and forthcoming events at the RGS-IBG)
October 1, 2005... The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is a world centre for geographers and geographical learning dedicated to the development and promotion of knowledge, together with its application to the challenges facing society and the environment....

England's changing coast: map of the Isle of Wight and its surrounds (c. 1699).(MAP OF THE MONTH)
October 1, 2005... The London Gazette, in its issue for 31 May-4 June 1694, carried an advertisement for "A Pocket Volume of the Sea Coasts of France; Containing 4S Sea Charts or Maps" to be sold by John Thornton, Robert Morden and Philip Lea. What seems to have...

Royal geographical society with IBG: advancing geography and geographical learning.(MAP OF THE MONTH)
October 1, 2005... Patron Her Majesty The Queen Honorary President HRH The Duke of Kent The Council President Sir Neil Cossons OBE Vice Presidents Elspeth Insch OBE, Professor Keith Richards, Professor David Thomas Honorary Treasurer...

Life on the Mongolian steppe.(MONGOLIA)
October 1, 2005... Mongolia Its history conjures up images of mighty warrior kings and a powerful empire that once stretched from the Caspian Sea to Beijing. Political regimes have come and gone, and today Mongolia is enjoying a spiritual rebirth. Blue...

Big fish big trouble: one of the world's largest reef fish is being hunted to the brink of extinction to feed a growing demand among wealthy Chinese diners for luxury live fish. In the anniversary year of the battle of trafalgar, ichthyologist Helen Scales asks if the mighty Napoleon wrasse has met its Waterloo.(NAPOLEON WRASSE)
October 1, 2005... Holding my bulky underwater camera housing at arm's length, I keep my eyes fixed ahead of me and generally try to make myself look bigger and more intimidating. I usually pride myself on being a confident diver, eager for close encounters with...

Explorers' South America: join Cunard's majestic flagship Queen Mary 2 for a historic first voyage around South America.(Advertisement Feature)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Opportunities of a lifetime may be few and far between, but when they're this exciting, they're easy to spot. Cunard's magnificent flagship Queen Mary 2, one of the most famous ships in the world, makes history in 2006 by circumnavigating South...

Fair trade: thousands of demonstrators and pressure groups converged on the G8 summit in Scotland three months ago demanding international action to create fairer trade rules. So does 'fair trade' hold the key to a brighter future for developing countries?(Geographical dossier)
October 1, 2005... In the last 50 years, the UK has experienced increasing levels of prosperity. The post-war Victorian slums with their urchins and privies are a thing of the past, and we are now in a position to take healthcare, education and employment for...

A new dawn for Peru: as South America becomes an increasingly popular tourist destination, Dominic Hamilton gives a guided tour of some of Peru's outstanding natural and archaeological heritage.(PERU TOURISM)
October 1, 2005... Deep in the highland valleys of Peru's majestic Cordillera Blanca, thousands of metres above sea level, peasants are already in the fields or on the roads hours before the sun climbs above the snow-capped eastern ranges. They chivvy their...

Forgotten bombs of the secret war: during the Vietnam War, the US military dropped more bombs on neighbouring Laos than it did worldwide during the entire Second World War. Up to a third of them failed to explode. Now, more than 30 years after the conflict ended, unexploded ordnance contaminates more than half the country's land and kills around 200 people annually.(BOMBS OF LAOS)
October 1, 2005... In 1993, nine-year-old Phonsay was playing in the fields when a friend found what he thought was a ball and threw it his way. Fortunately, Phonsay missed the catch; the ball was, in fact, a cluster bomb. Phonsay doesn't remember much of what...

Trafalgar: a signal victory: on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, Roy Adkins discusses the geo-political significance of the historic victory and reveals how its outcome was decided by Nelson's superior command of maritime communications.(TRAFALGAR)
October 1, 2005... In the wild October night-time, when the wind raved round the land, And the Back-sea met the Front-sea, mid our doors were blocked with sand, And we heard the drub of Dead-man's Bay, where bones of thousands are, We knew not what the day had...

Reflections on Everest: thirty years ago, Sir Chris Bonington led the team that made the first ascent of the Southwest Face of Mount Everest, at the time the greatest unclaimed prize in mountaineering. Ten years later, he returned to the world's highest peak and reached its summit. Everest summiteer Paul Deegan talks to the UK's most famous mountaineer during his special double-anniversary year.(GEOPEOPLE: CHRIS BONINGTON)(Interview)(Biography)
October 1, 2005... The northern tip of the Lake District is mercifully devoid of tourists as photographer Martin Hartley and I hurtle along narrow and winding lanes on a damp Thursday morning. We drive past a solitary wind turbine standing like an alien sentinel...

Too hot to ski? Every year we hear horror stories coming back from the ski resorts of Europe and North America: it's zoo hot, there's no snow, the environment is being ruined by tourism. But is this true? Tom Chesshyre asks how you can indulge in responsible winter holidays with a clear conscience.(TRAVEL MATTERS)
October 1, 2005... Last winter in Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America (a two-hour drive from Vancouver in Canada), was a scorcher. Approaching the resort in early March with bags full of salopettes, jackets, Goretex gloves, long johns,...

Peru: a timeless landscape.(GEOGRAPHICAL ARCHIVE)
October 1, 2005... Peru has seen the rise and fall of various civilisations and empires--from the sun-worshipping Incas to the Spanish conquistadors--all of which have shaped its landscape and the lives of its colourful people. This month's collection of images...

More Tales from the Travellers.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... More Tales from the Travellers edited by Frank Herrmann and Michael Allen Michael Tomkinson, hb, pp282, 18.99 [pounds sterling] If the point of an anthology is to do what it says on the cover, More Tales from the Travellers is an exemplary...

The New Turkey.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... The New Turkey Chris Morris Granta Books, hb, pp285, 17.99 [pounds sterling] A particular type of book has become characteristic of much of the best writing on Turkey in recent years--a measure of the fact that the country has never been...

Woolf in Ceylon: An Imperial Journey in the Shadow of Leonard Woolf.(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Woolf in Ceylon: An Imperial Journey in the Shadow of Leonard Woolf by Christopher Ondaatje HarperCollins, hb, pp318, 25 [pounds sterling] "I had entered Ceylon as an imperialist... The curious thing is that I was not really aware of...

Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia.(Television Program Review)
October 1, 2005... Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia British Museum, Great Russell Street London, WC1B 3DG 8 [pounds sterling] admission, 4 [pounds sterling] concessions 9 September 2005-8 January 2006 Saturday-Wednesday, 10am-5.30pm Thursday-Friday,...

Saving the Daylight.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Saving the Daylight by David Prerau Granta, hb, pp224, 14.99 [pounds sterling] Telling the time isn't usually considered a political act. No matter how annoyed you feel when the alarm goes off in the morning, there's no-one you can blame...

Visions of Ararat.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Visions of Ararat by Christopher J Walker IB Taurus, pb, pp166, 12.99 [pounds sterling] Christopher J Walker is an Armenia aficionado. Not content with writing two historical accounts of the country, in Visions of Ararat he has gathered...

Landmarks of Britain.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Landmarks of Britain by Clive Aslet Hodder & Stoughton, hb, pp576, 25 [pounds sterling] Towards the end of his lucid and well-argued introductory essay, Clive Aslet makes the point that apart from visiting the odd stately home, the British...

The Leisure of an Egyptian Official.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... The Leisure of an Egyptian Official by Lord Edward Cecil First published, 1921. Latest edition published by Parkway, pb, pp320, 18 [pounds sterling] After a military and diplomatic career in the service of the British Empire, Lord Edward...

Lady Hester: Queen of the East.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Lady Hester: Queen of the East by Lorna Gibb Faber, hb, pp224, 14.99 [pounds sterling] Picasso admired her, James Joyce wrote her into Ulysses, and Byron--who actually met her--scorned her as "that dangerous thing, a female wit." A...

A Soul on Ice.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... A Soul on Ice by Gavin Hewitt Macmillan, hb, pp400, 20 [pounds sterling] With A Soul on Ice, Gavin Hewitt adds his name to the growing list of BBC reporters to publish memoirs. Hewitt set his sights on being a foreign correspondent at an...

Rouge Regime.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Rogue Regime by Jasper Becker Oxford University Press, hb, pp300, 16.99 [pounds sterling] Rogue Regime opens like a movie. Under cover of night, US stealth bombers enter North Korean airspace to destroy weapons production facilities, while...

All the Wrong Places: Adrift in the Politics of Southeast Asia.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... All the Wrong Places: Adrift in the Politics of Southeast Asia by James Fenton Granta Books, pb, pp269, 8.99 [pounds sterling] Within days of arriving in Cambodia in 1973, James Fenton learnt of the death of the correspondent from whom he'd...

Birds.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
October 1, 2005... Birds by Dominic Couzens Collins, hb, pp335, 30 [pounds sterling] Birds are remarkable creatures. Jays collect and hide up to 5,000 acorns, memorising the position of each; swifts sleep on the wing; and divers can swim to depths of 75...

Essential gear: photography: when chosing the type of photographic equipment to take into the field, first ask yourself what you are hoping to achieve.(GEAR ESSENTIALS)
October 1, 2005... Pre-summit day on Mount Everest, May 2004. While sorting out my kit in the tent on the South Col, I loaded two Olympus Mju II cameras with fresh rolls of Fuji Provia film. I then stowed them--together with a disposable camera--inside my...

Ten of the best: when you've decided why you will be taking photographs, check out the following list of the latest equipment to find out which is best-suited to your requirements.(GEAR ESSENTIALS)
October 1, 2005... 1 For 35mm images Nikon FM3a 570 [pounds sterling] (silver) 600 [pounds sterling] (black); 570 grams The first choice for expedition photographers who need a camera that will function without batteries [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Red, white (and blue?).
October 1, 2005... Expedition Medicine Ltd is to repeat its Polar medicine course inside the Arctic Circle in Norway. This course is for all medical professionals responsible for teams or clients in polar, high-altitude or arctic regions. It costs 1,295 [pounds...

Alan hinkes on tour.(Alan Hinkes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Following his record-breaking climb of Kangchenjunga (8,587 metres), which made him the first Briton (and one of 12 worldwide) to climb all the peaks higher than 8,000 metres, mountaineer Alan Hinkes is to do a series of 17 live shows in...

Win a ladies' north face rucksack!
October 1, 2005... The women's Mako 12 hydration rucksack, launched this year, offers tough, durable, ripstop nylon fabric, a female-specific moulding and a three-litre water bladder. Geographical has a Mako 12 (RRP 54.99 [pounds sterling]) to give away. Simply...

Taking distance learning to extremes.(GEAR ESSENTIALS)(Humphrey Murphy )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... While most students might see a trip as an opportunity to escape their studies, University of Ulster student Humphrey Murphy of County Donegal, Ireland, chose to take his textbooks with him when he set about climbing Mount Everest. Murphy,...

Silva shines on.(GEAR ESSENTIALS)
October 1, 2005... The new high-tech L-series Silva headlamp has raised the bar in this highly competitive sector of the outdoors marKet. The flagship L1 mode uses an incredibly bright three-watt Luxeon LED that can provide light up to 100 metres while acting as...

Travel, Swiss army style.(GEAR ESSENTIALS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The last time I passed through customs with a considerably sharper Victorinox product, it was confiscated. There are no such worries with the new 22" Werks Traveller, although I'm sure it will still attract attention from officials. Light...

Signal Books: cities of the imagination series.(The Geographical Good Guide Guide)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... A BIT OF HISTORY Oxford-based Signal Books, established six years ago, has been earning praise for its original approach to travel writing and city guides, so its website claims WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? Beautifully written works of...

The first-aid kit: medical advice from Jason Gibbs, head pharmacist at Nomad Travel stores and health clinics.(Travel health)
October 1, 2005... People often ask me what they should carry in a first-aid kit. This depends on a number of factors, such as where you're travelling, for how long and where the nearest city is with good medical help. As a rule the contents of any medical kit...

Explorer's essentials: Mikael Strandberg, Sweden's premier explorer.
October 1, 2005... Thermal wool underwear Wool keeps you warm even when damp. Ullfrotte of Sweden produce the best thermal underwear I've tried in 20 years of exploring. * Info: www.ullfrotte.se An axe Since fuel like petrol doesn't work at all...

Tha art of darkness: geo photo: capturing images in a dimly-lit rainforest is one of a photographer's assignments. Luckily Keith Wilson has advice for overcoming light and movement problems.(#3: JUNGLE PHOTOGRAPHY)
October 1, 2005... Tropical rainforests are home to the greatest number of plant and animal species on Earth, and even today there are new species being identified and photographed for the very first time. While almost all the Earth's surface has been mapped and...

Returning from the field.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... As we move into autumn, RGS-IBG award winners who have been in the field during the summer are returning with stories of successful research. Dr Philip Hughes of the University of Manchester, this year's winner of the Peter Fleming Award, has...

Forthcoming deadlines.(Calendar)
October 1, 2005... 27 SEPTEMBER: Journey of a Lifetime Award: a grant of 4,000 [pounds sterling] for BBC Radio 4 for an inspiring and original journey and the chance to record a documentary 30 SEPTEMBER: BA Travel Bursaries: two return flights for...

A passion for all things aquatic.(Grants news)(Biography)
October 1, 2005... November sees the deadline for applications for the Society's largest single grant the Ralph Brown Expedition Award. The grant is 15,000 [pounds sterling] and s awarded every year to those conducting research in aquatic environments--rivers...

Unsettling stuff.(Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... Re: Lost in the Post, August 2005. Your stamp of the month was accompanied by a caption which read, "This island was one of the first in this group settled by the indigenous population of this stamps's country of origin". It sounded like a bit...

Football club names.(Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... I'd be interested to know if any readers know of anything sensible written about the geography of football club names? I assume that the fact that most names refer to a place means mat originally ClUbS were intended to represent the area their...

All tooled up.(Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... I don't know if Geographical gives out medals to its contributors but I think that Paul Deegan deserves one for his brilliantly concise and lucid explanation of the difference between a multi-function penknife and a multitool (Expedition...

Their aim is true.(Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... After reading In Conversation with Tom Avery in August's issue of Geographical, I began thinking about what an expedition really is. I've always understood that an expedition is defined as "a journey with a purpose, having a single aim". But do...

Coastal art.(Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... Fascinated as I am by Britain's changing coastlines and how we as humans deal with, and respond to, the natural phenomenon, I was interested to discover an impressive temporary art installation inspired by the archaeological and geological...

Spirit of the age.(Cartoon)
October 1, 2005... So remind me again, which is the tool for getting stones out of horses' shoes? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Vanishing Island.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... I enjoyed your editor's photo essay on the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar (Spices, Slavery & Seaweed, September 2005) and was impressed that he had bothered to go to the east coast of Unguja to photograph the sustainably farmed seaweed that...

Lost in the post.(LETTERS)
October 1, 2005... Recognisable by its white forehead, square tail and the red patch on its throat, this medium-size bird nests in a colony, digging holes in cliffs or banks of earth. These birds have complex family-based social systems. Their diet is primarily...

Gavin Hewitt is a BBC news reporter who has reported from revolutionary Iran, Afghanistan and Ground Zero and was in East Berlin when the Wall came down and on the frontline of the invasion of Iraq. He underwent heart bypass surgery last year, but still filed reports on the Indian Ocean tsunami.(Victoria James in conversation with ...)(Interview)
October 1, 2005... How did you come to write your book, A Soul on Ice? I felt there was a book in me about the stories I didn't tell on air, that I told anecdotally, which I felt gave an insight into the kind of job I do, the places I've visited. And I felt I...