THE COUNT DOWN

...10 days until the 20th - that's the 'go' date. We are now developing our to do lists, take lists, don't forget lists and then...where did I put that list.

During our last project period, one of the defining moments was the realization that culitvated forages were non-existent. We have therefore received to take along some small forage seed packages that we can use experimentally. Tillage and seeding equipment is also very limited so our thought is to use some Round-up herbicide and to no-till or overseed in the existing sod. I have discovered some North American companies are promoting a seeding/tillage tool called an overseeder which looks quite promising and less expensive than a no till drill. Has anyone had any experience with such a tool? Please forward your thoughts.

We have just received our flight schedule. We're flying Cathay Pacific this time (Air Canada is sold out) leaving Toronto on Monday October 20 at 10:40 (23:40 Manila time) and arriving in Hong Kong at 13:55 (almost 2am Toronto time) October 21 then fly to Manila at 16:30 and arrive at 18:35 or about 6:35 am Toronto time on October 21. Manila time is exactly 12 hours ahead of Toronto Dayligt Saving Time. At the end of October of course Canadians gain an hour going to Standard Time however the Philippines always maintain Standard Time thus will be ahead 13 hours

Our plan upon arrival is to rest for a day in Manila as well as meet with the National Dairy Authority who have some means of assisting start up farmers but whose presence is very scant in the Province of Isabela. It seems a mountain range to the South of Isabela forms a type of curtain of isolation. We have also been promised by a new aquiantance to tour some dairy cattle farms that he has helped to establish. By the 24th we plan to arrive at our destination in Isabela.