h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Tuesday,5th September 2006. 7.00 p.m.
Dear Scandrea,

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and love of this most extraordinarily beautiful Nature reserve with us.

As one of your "old ladies" about whom you write with such kindness and compassion, I find it difficult to read ordinary books. However I am able to enlarge the print on my computer and was thus able to enjoy all your remarks and great knowledge about this most spectacular nature reserve of your beautiful country.

I am intrigued with the huge fires that you have had in the area. There is a part of South Africa outside of Cape Town where huge fires also rage. Scientists have apparently found out that the fires are necessary in order to get the seeds of the pines and cedars to germinate. I wonder if the same situation pertains in Yellowstone.?

I hope you will not mind if I put you down as a friend. I should hate to lose touch with someone who has afforded me so much interest and pleasure this afternoon.

Very sincerely,

Christiane AR1

Indeed it does, Christaiane!

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you- I've been very busy with my thesis work lately. But I can answer your question.

Yes, the forests in Yellowstone regenerate primarilly because of forest fires. Not only does the fire clear away weaker and/or diseased trees for stronger, healthier ones to grow, butsome species of evergreen (not quite sure which one it is at the moment) only release their seeds in response to the intense heat of the fire itself.

I'll put you down as a friend as well- I'm not on nearly as much as I used to be, but I'll still try to keep in touch!

Dear Scandrea,

How nice of you to reply. Thank you.

I envy you being in the middle of your thesis!. I do not believe that I was ever so happy as when I was busy finishing my Masters thesis in South Africa. It was an intensely political one but I enjoyed it. then when I started doing my doctorate it was just at the time that President Mandela wasin the process of being released and the laws were changing. In three years each topic I chose (I was concentrating by this time on the Sociology of Law) the relevant topic would have the law changed/repealed!! - for which I was very pleased naturally!!)
When my husband died I wondered what on earth I wanted a doctorate for so decided to quit it and give up work at the University.
I offered my services to the ANC and did research for them in a voluntary capacity until I came to England in 1991.
Since then I have been trying to do research in Mental Illness - I have a son with a chronic mental illness - but seem to be baulked at every corner. I do not know whether it is because I have lost my research skills or am just too old to do anything useful!.

Very cordially,

Christiane

Is it trouble with politics, or finding an advisor? If you tell me what you're looking for, I might be able to dig up some papers this weekend.