GEORGE NEWS - On Wednesday 12 October in Armchair Travel, Mike and Jill Holland will continue their presentation of "Golden Wedding Travels: a glimpse of British Columbia", this time exploring parts of the Canadian province of British Columbia in another, even larger camper van.
The original inspiration for this trip was sparked by the adventures of Mike's father who crossed Canada with his brother in 1930, driving an old Studebaker open tourer which they nick-named Rumbling Rufus.
After briefly addressing the turbulent history of Canada's emergence as a British colony, the journey will start from the famous skiing and mountain biking resort of Whistler, taking in Prince George and then the magnificent grandeur of the Rocky Mountains through the Jasper and Banff National Parks and the beautiful Lake Louise.
Jill and Mike will share their experiences - such as meeting grizzly bears, getting snowed in on a mid-summer's day and learning about some of the early intrepid women mountain climbers.
Mike and Jill are the former chairman and secretary, respectively of the George and Wilderness U3A. The presentation starts at 10:30.
Complexity of stresses facing biosphere reserve
Friday Lecture on 21 October is presented by Dr Bianca Currie on "The Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, a mechanism for conservation and sustainable development". This presentation introduces the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve as part of the Man and the Biosphere Reserve programme of the United Nations Environmental Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
It will provide an overview of the complexity of stresses facing this region. Currie is the chief executive of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve. Her current project is focused on governance models implemented in biosphere reserves worldwide.
This promises to be a very interesting lecture. Tea is at 10:00 and the lecture starts at 10:30. Visitors are most welcome.
Trip to Antarctica
At the general meeting on Wednesday 26 October, Constant Hughes-Traherne will present "Antarctica - the ultimate test for any expedition". In 2003, Hughes-Treherne embarked on his second trip for the South African National Antarctic programme, joining the annual takeover team to Gough Island and visiting Tristan da Cunha en route.
This illustrated talk will cover the Southern Atlantic voyage, the South African Antarctic base and the research tasks undertaken there, as well as a review of the early exploration history of the Antarctic continent.
Hughes-Treherne enjoyed a career in information and communication technology and lived in Virginia, USA where he undertook several outdoor adventures which included winter camping, skiing and dog sledding in Canada, all of which were training for the Antarctic trips.
A keen ornithologist and photographer, he is sure to give a colourful and interesting talk. Tea is at 10:00 and the talk starts at 10:30.
Human rights against international background
In International Affairs on Monday 31 October, Natie de Swart will discuss "Human rights against an international background". This meeting starts at 14:00.
U3A lectures and presentations are still held in the Moth Hall in Rijk Tulbach Street.
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