Water and TOIL

Had a good watery week. I went to a town about 300km south of home to help some local natural resource management officers place observation bores around areas where groundwater is expressing at the surface and killing trees. We're monitoring changes in the water table with the planting of masses of trees. They're mostly pines, unfortunately, but they're the most favoured plantation timber and once established they suck up massive amounts of water and do a good job of stabilising the water table.

The next day I cruised north for another meeting. This time it was with a group of natural resource management officers to target specific areas in combatting salinity. I found out some highly interesting information on areas currently suffering the effects of salinity. Much of it is associated with clay and shale outcrops, which naturally store a lot of water, but do not transmit it easily.

With all the extra water that has been added to the ground since clearing in the 50's, 60's and 70's, the water is starting to come to the surface in these formations. It is not always saline, but as it evaporates off, the salts in it naturally concentrate and bingo! You've got a salinity problem.

After that I did some inspections of water sources and of a cattle feed lot. Fun stuff. I love getting out in the field. And you know the best part? I've clocked up the extra hours that give me three days off over Xmas without having to use any leave!! WOOHOO!

Had a BBQ with a mate who is going to South America for a year. Lucky bastard. I gave him some tips on places to go.

One week to go before the Xmas holidays! Hoo-bloody-ray! Broome and Derby, here I come.