Below Par

Progress in Fens has been slow. My water purifier doesn’t seem to work in Fens as I might have picked up something that is making me sick. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions so I sent some blood off for analyses. I should get the results back soon. Plus I had some articles to write for the Guild’s paper and the Archiver.

Another reason for my delayed work in Fens is that I recently made an excursion in to an alternative world. Catchy name SecondLife, gees I haven’t finished with my first life. Whoever wrote this massive age had no concept of D’ni writing. But the good part is that somehow they found a way to stop the Bahro instancing interference. Now I can meet up with other explorers like the ole days. So that is nice.

Not sure when I will get around to finishing my work in Fens. By the way things are going in my life at the moment, it could be a few weeks. It is a shame as I like spending time in Fens. The sounds of birds, insects and those big flying creatures even that beastie in the distance adds to the calming effect of Fens.

Swamp thing:

Shamed by Erik, Tweek and Whilyam’s lack of fear I returned to investigate Fens further. Boy did I look stupid. Forever cautious is my motto perhaps too cautious. As I said I went shopping and bought the incorrect equipment. - Equipment for what? - Big honking flying, well soaring, bird like creatures high in the tree canopy. I wanted to get up high enough without disturbing them so I could study and photograph them. Everything else is pretty much low down but those up there, that’s what I love. Yes I am a bit of a bird watcher. But my camera-attachable telescope and binoculars are way too weak to get a good shot of them from the ground. I can’t afford to upgrade. – Well not after buying all that climbing equipment. – Besides bound to be more ages to explore in the future.

When I first saw the trees I thought a throw line, few ropes and a bit of tackle is all I need. Due to the trees not having any branches higher up made it more difficult than I initially thought. If I had made more of an effort first time I would have noticed that. “What do you see?” I am going to tattoo that on the inside of my eyelids. Hold on how would I see it? Have to give that some more thought.

This is going to take longer than I thought. I don’t want to use lumberjack boot spikes, they will damage the trees. I am a tree hugger by the way. Ban the chainsaw, save the trees and all that. I have an idea, how did the BBC get up in to the rain forest canopy?...

...A few days and a lot of research later I came to the conclusion that I would need bamboo poles to construct scaffolding with a platform and hide on top. I think I know a spot. From there I could observe these flying creatures with little interaction as possible. Just my being here might have altered things already. - Microbes, viruses and all that.

I did look at the possibilities of a hot air balloon for one person. I found three options one; the usual propane, two; helium and the third well solar. - Yep solar powered balloons. All three have drawbacks cost, time it takes to make and the size. So scaffold is the quickest and least destructive method with bamboo being the lightest and cheapest. I have to make a few links to get to Fens and I will need to make many trips. I can see this age is going to keep me occupied for some time. It’s about time I got started...

Divergence!

Some of you know that I do a little writing for the GoMe newspaper. So when I found some of my journals that where saved from drowning (I had forgot that I had put them up higher than the flood line. – I was too busy with all the wet and damaged stuff to notice them until now) I thought about the Stories and Journeys section of the newsletter. I offered and they accepted. For those of you that are interested check out the November edition of the “Where R U Uru?” newspaper where I will start way back. Then over the coming months I will be sharing a little more. These will be the edited highlights of my early journey, as space is a premium. I hope you enjoy. Oh and by the way don’t worry only a few journals survived, I wouldn’t want to bore you. How many? You will have to wait and see...

X marks the spot!

Where my thoughts are I don’t know. I forgot to mention that we had some elections ourselves, at the Guild, recently. Marten your GM (Guild Master) stepped down for another to take the baton. Lynnutte is our new GM and she has a whip. I think, no, I know that Lynnutte will do a good job. Mind you there’s not much pressure at the moment as we can’t get in to a public instance. Public instance means work, yes please.
Anyway on top of that we had some change around. I finally shed the inter-guild liaison chair. Woot! I am not really a good people person but I am trying. I know Leonardo will do an excellent job. The depth of Leo astounds me for someone so young. Sorry but it is true.

That's me in the GoMe uniform, cheesy pic or what!

Six months. That’s how long I think it will be before everything collapses, if we don’t get a public instance going. It’s all the Bahros fault and Dr. Watson. Yes there are always consequences even when doing the right thing. No good deed goes unpunished, remember. The writers and maintainers will still be going; I don’t know what would make them stop.

Personally I would like to see us keep going as long as possible. Perhaps there is a solution out there somewhere.

Szark’s law!

As you can tell I have made it back in one piece. My wife is a bit dismayed, oh the plans she had.

Why is it every time I want to get away something always gets in the way. This time was no different. First off I took the wrong equipment with me to Fens, well not so much wrong but not quite right. - My fault for not reconnoitring the area first. I know that some of the Arbourists climbing tackle will come in handy. The ascender and “single point attachment fibre-light ladder” will definitely get some use in the coming months.
On top of all this the Guild couldn’t leave me be. I thought best to deal with the e-mails while I was back on the surface. Who knew? So while they are all distracted with the newspaper I will take the opportunity to go back to Fens with the correct equipment. The trick is getting high enough and those trees don’t have any branches. The roots could be a possibility. The throw line I bought will do the trick. I hope it is high enough. Well shall see...