Mike's Reef Diary

Production team Day 1

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?

Production team

Day 3

I'd been worried overnight by the thought of how our system will cope with the environment out at sea. A marine atmosphere is particularly corrosive; many of our workshop tools rusted after only two days in the moist, salty air. I'll set up a little experiment today to show on camera just how corrosive the atmosphere is, and what we can do about it.

Day 4

“the solution to our corrosion problem is provided by a pencil sharpener”

The day starts well, as I discover that the experiment I left going overnight, has worked perfectly. It's going to provide a great explanation of what rusting is, and one way in which we can prevent it. In true Rough Science tradition, the solution to our corrosion problem is provided by a pencil sharpener. There's little else for me to be getting on with today, which is just as well as we're to leave for Chumbe Island at noon. Take out all the travelling time for this challenge, and you're left with fewer than three days. I can see that the resultant stress is getting to Jonathan.

I have enough time to pay a short visit to the local school at Chuini, where our workshop's based. Claire, Jonathan and I had been there a few days earlier to see what it was like. We also wanted to find out how we could help. The visit was inspirational, seeing committed teachers with few resources and so many pupils that they have to offer lessons in two sessions (8am till 1pm, and 1pm till 6pm).

I just have to return to this place in the very near future. I'm taking early retirement from the Open University at the end of 2004, and I'll be back…………………… Zanzibar hasn't seen the last of me.