A Year in South Africa

August 2011 - June2012
South Africa has been so different from how I'd imagined it: a beautiful country and one I'll be sad to leave.

Race & Politics in South Africa

South Africa is still suffering a hangover from apartheid days and faces a real battle for economic and social equality.

The eVac in Malawi

21st - 28th May 2012
How does the eVac compare to it's Gulper in Malawi? Can it be made with the limited parts available here?

Night in the Museum

20th May 2012
An few photos from Malawi's eerie National museum

Driving up Africa

16th - 20th May 2012
A 2500km epic drive through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and into Malawi, through several challenging border posts

The eVac

A small affordable machine for emptying pit latrines. Developed in South Africa using parts that can be sourced almost anywhere.

Hungry Hiking

24th & 25th March 2012
What is meant to be a nice walk in the Drakensberg mountains quickly turns into a serious weightloss session.

eVac Suck & Blow Tank

28th March 2012
With a new suck and blow tank the eVac makes short work of another low flush toilet, but struggles with a rubbish clogged VIP.

eVac Test 3 + 4

March 2012
The eVac manages to suck the watery waste out without difficulty, but causes a significant mess around the emptying area.

eVac Test 2

21st December 2011
After the eVac's inital success it struggled on a drier pit latrine, although the air/water lance helped.

Sani Pass

11-12th March 2012
I slog up the infamous Sani Pass on my bike

Doing the Dusi

16-18 February 2012
The Dusi is South Africa's biggest canoe marathon race, and this year I had the privilege of taking part.

Improving Pit Latrine Emptying

In South Africa I'm working on an improved way of emptying pit latrines. This is the why and the how.

Mind Games in the Mountains

13 - 15th January 2012
The Drakensberg is a mountain range with many exposed sections, but they're not worth getting worked up over!

Morgan's Visit

25th December 2011 - 11th January 2012
Morgan and I spend two weeks racing around South Africa, enjoying taking in as much as possible.

Sucking the Sludge

2nd December 2011
The eVac's first test on a real pit latrine - and it's a great success!

Mont-aux-Sources

25th - 27th November 2011
A 3 day hike up Mont-aux-Sources: on the border of Lesotho and the source of 3 major rivers.

Screwing the Sludge

23rd November 2011
An unsuccessful yet informative test with the pit screw auger, as it struggles to cope with the rubbish in the pit latrine

Epic Lesotho Cycle

12th - 18th November 2011
Cycling in the 'Mountain Kingdom' isn't easy but is very rewarding: 5 days of sunny skies, huge hills and friendly people.

eVac Update

Wednesday 2nd November 2011
After struggling to find a suitable moisture trap, I end up making one from a jam jar

4 Punctures and a Broken Derailleur

Saturday 22nd October 2011
A bike race with a difference: there were thorns everywhere!

The Amashova

Sunday 16th October 2011
I push myself very very hard in pursuit of a 4 hour finish in one of South Africa's major road cycling events.

Manxome Pass

Friday 30th September - Monday 3rd October 2011
An extreme 4 day hike in the Drakensberg, I was completely unprepared for what was to happen.

Wonder Valley Cave

Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th September 2011
Walking to Wonder Valley Cave in the amazing Drakensbergs of South Africa

Surveying for Hydro Power

10th & 11th September 2011
I spent last weekend surveying for a potential small hydro electric scheme, contending with blazing heat and thorny bushes!

Hello South Africa!

4th September 2011
I've arrived in South Africa, and the work looks like it is going to be very interesting.

EWB Training Week

26th June - 3rd July 2011
The EWB pre-departure course and the Clare Farm training course in preparation for my EWB placement in South Africa.

I'm going to South Africa

Friday 24th June 2011
As of August I'll be going on an EWB placement for a year in South Africa.