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Squash (Beverage)

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Squash (Beverage)

Enjoy a cup of squash!

  • Squash is a beverage, and syrup, made primarily of fruit juices, sugar and liquids, and it normally excludes alcohol.
  • ‘Squash’, originally ‘lemon squash’, is also known as ‘cordial’ and ‘dilute juice’, although the substances may have slight differences.
  • Colouring and flavourings are commonly added to squash, as well as a number of preservatives.
  • Typically, squash is diluted in another liquid, normally water for child-friendliness, and sometimes carbonated liquid is used.
  • ‘Squash’, being a British drink, is common across much of the Commonwealth, although it is rarely seen in an American environment, and it is said to be expensive there.

Squash, Cordial, Yellow, Drink, Beverage, Ten Random Facts, Glass, Food, Sweet,

  • Squash syrup is generally diluted to a ratio of syrup to water, at either 1:4 or 1:5, depending on how condensed the syrup is, and it is also sometimes used in alcoholic cocktails to give flavour.
  • Squash can be made from many different fruits, although it is most commonly made from a combination of various berries or citrus fruit.
  • Squash can be purchased from supermarkets or made at home, and is able to be stored in both a cupboard or a refrigerator for long time periods, due to the high quantity of sugar and preservatives in the liquid.
  • Squash can contain a low sugar content, although in that case it is usually sweetened and flavoured by artificial processes, and as such will generally contain more chemicals.
  • Squash is most prominently consumed at parties, functions, road trips and preschools, in the United Kingdom.
Bibliography:
Consider squash and cordial, 2015, The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/sep/07/consider-squash-cordial
Squash (Drink), 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_(drink)

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Aircraft Boneyard

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Aircraft Boneyard

Just imagine a film set in an aircraft boneyard.

  • Aircraft boneyards are areas of land that hold aircraft that have been abandoned, retired from service, or are non-functional.
  • ‘Aircraft boneyards’ are also known as ‘aircraft graveyards’, and they are located in a number of countries around the world, including Russia, the United States, and Australia.
  • Aircraft boneyards are generally used as a space to store excess planes, or as a holding area for aircraft waiting to be recycled, and they can also include a maintenance facility.
  • Most commonly, aircraft boneyards are situated in desert areas, as plane corrosion is less likely, and the ground is usually firm and solid.
  • The largest aircraft boneyard in the world is ‘the Boneyard’, formally known as the ‘309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group’ (AMARG).
Aeroplane Boneyard, Aircraft Graveyard, Ten Random Facts, Tucson, America, Aerial, Birds Eye, Flickr
Aircraft Boneyard at Tuscon
Image courtesy of Daniel Lobo/Flickr
  • Common reasons for aircraft abandonment include war damage, aging, lower demand during wars, and increasing economical expenses.
  • Large quantities of aircraft were left abandoned in aircraft boneyards after World War II, during aircraft upgrades to jet engines in the 1970s, in the 9/11 disaster aftermath in 2001, and during economic problems from 2007.
  • Aircraft sent to aircraft boneyards are generally preserved and sealed by being coated in a layer of latex mixture, which protects the interior and reflects heat, while oil is used to fill tanks and preserve the engines.
  • Some planes in aircraft boneyards can be used again in the future, so aircraft inspections often occur at intervals of around four years, while other planes are commonly used for spare parts.
  • Most aircraft boneyards are not open to the public, although some large facilities may open for visitors, and these sometimes have a museum onsite with planes on display.
Bibliography:
Aircraft Boneyard, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_boneyard
Field Guide to Aircraft Boneyards, 2009, John A Weeks III, http://www.johnweeks.com/boneyard/
List and Map of Active and Post-WWII Aircraft Boneyards and Storage Facilities, 2015, AirplaneBoneyards.com, http://www.airplaneboneyards.com/airplane-boneyards-list-and-map.htm
Zentner J, Airplane Graveyards, 2015, DesertUSA, http://www.desertusa.com/arizona-desert/airplane-graveyards.html

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Ischigualasto Provincial Park

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Ischigualasto Provincial Park

Maybe you will see a fossil at Ischigualasto Provincial Park.

  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park is an area containing interesting geological features, located in Argentina’s north west, in South America.
  • ‘Ischigualasto Provincial Park’ is also known as ‘Parque Provincial Ischigualasto’, and ‘Valle de la Luna’, or when translated from Spanish, ‘Valley of the Moon’.
  • An area of 604 square kilometres (233 square miles) is covered by Ischigualasto Provincial Park, and the area is said to resemble a moonscape.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage Convention declared Ischigualasto Provincial Park as a World Heritage Site in 2000, along with the adjoining Talampaya National Park.
  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park is located in primarily a desert habitat, with hot and dry conditions and continual wind.
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Ischigualasto Provincial Park
Image courtesy of AHLN/Flickr
  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park is the home to only a little vegetation, that includes trees, shrubs and cacti.
  • Notably, Ischigualasto Provincial Park consists of numerous fossils, ranging from vegetation, fish, mammals and dinosaurs, and it is one of the most significant fossil areas in the world.
  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park has multiple rock formations that have been formed by wind erosion; and cliffs also exist in the park.
  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park is a protected area, and it was given provincial park status in 1971.
  • Ischigualasto Provincial Park was originally the home of indigenous Americans until the Spanish intruded, and the park hosts significant ancient rock art and archaeological sites.
Bibliography:
Ischigualasto Provincial Park, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischigualasto_Provincial_Park
Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/966

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Radiated Tortoise

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Radiated Tortoise

Admire the beauty of radiated tortoises.

  • Radiated tortoises, sometimes called ‘sokake’, are reptiles native to the southern areas of Africa’s island of Madagascar.
  • The scientific name of a radiated tortoise is Astrochelys radiata, and is from the family Testudinidae, the family of tortoises.
  • The diet of radiated tortoises consists primarily of grass, but fruit and cacti and other plants are also consumed.
  • Radiated tortoises can grow to be 30 to 41 centimetres (12 to 16 inches) in length, and weigh 2.2 to 16 kilograms (4.8 to 35 pounds).
  • The humped shell of a radiated tortoise is generally a dark brown or black colour, that is patterned with prominent yellow coloured star-like shapes.
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Radiated Tortoise
Image courtesy of Paul Morris/Flickr
  • Female radiated tortoises lay and deposit eggs in holes that they dig, numbering 3 to 12 eggs at a time, and they leave them to incubate and hatch 4 to 8 months later.
  • Radiated tortoises have a mostly yellow coloured head and legs; and on average, they live for 30 to 90 years, although one has been recorded to live to around 188 years old.
  • While radiated tortoises are protected, they are ranked as critically endangered, due to habitat loss and illegal hunting for the shell, meat and pet industry.
  • Radiated tortoises can produce grunting and hissing noises, as well as screeching sounds to scare off predators.
  • Radiated tortoises are preyed on by snakes and large birds, and they can protect themselves to some extent by withdrawing into their shell.
Bibliography:
Radiated Tortoise, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/radiated-tortoise/
Radiated Tortoise, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiated_tortoise

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Indian Hawthorn

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Indian Hawthorn

Are Indian hawthorns welcome, or weeds?

  • Indian hawthorns are evergreen flowering plants that are native to China and a number of countries in south east Asia.
  • The scientific name of an Indian hawthorn plant is Rhaphiolepis indica, that comes from the family Rosaceae, the family of roses.
  • ‘Indian hawthorns’ are also known as ‘India hawthorns’ and ‘cherry laurels’, and they grow well in subtropical areas.
  • Indian hawthorns can grow to be 0.6 to 4.5 metres (2 to 15 feet) in height, although the average is around 2 metres (6.5 feet).
  • Indian hawthorns have small, pink to white coloured flowers that are seen most often in spring and summer, with five petals and many stamens in the centre, as well as a sweet fragrance.

Indian Hawthorn, Flower, Plant, White, Red, Pink, Ten Random Facts, Flickr, Australia

  • Indian hawthorns are commonly used for decorative purposes in the garden, and they are suitable to use as hedges, and can be grown as bonsai.
  • The leaves of Indian hawthorn plants are generally dark green, glossy and thick, with serrated edges.
  • The best conditions for growing Indian hawthorns is full sun; and unfortunately they have become a weed in some areas due to their ability to grown readily from seed.
  • As the plant is quite robust, an Indian hawthorn plant is not bothered by salt, thus it can be grown on the coast, and it is also frost resistant.
  • After flowering, small black to purple, roughly spherical berries form, that are between 5 and 10 mm (0.2 and 0.4 inches) in diameter, that are said to be useful for making jam.
Bibliography:
Indian Hawthorn, 2011, Weeds of Australia, http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Rhaphiolepis_indica.htm
Indian Hawthorns – Qantas, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/flowering-plants-shrubs/indian-hawthorn-qantas-amazing-australia/#.VPwDZIuUd8E
Raphiolepis Indica, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaphiolepis_indica

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Toilet Paper

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Toilet Paper

Could you live without toilet paper?

  • Toilet paper is an invention typically used to clean body waste off oneself, without using direct hand contact.
  • Light and soft pulped paper is the typical material of toilet paper, and it may be layered one to three times, making it one to three ply paper.
  • Toilet paper generally breaks down in sewage systems, making it moderately environmentally friendly, although it is not always the case with the product manufacturing process.
  • ‘Toilet paper’ is also known as ‘toilet roll’, ‘dunny paper’, ‘bathroom tissue’, ’tissue’, and ‘bathroom paper’, and the product is commonly stored in a bathroom, on a rod attached to a wall or a floor base, as a dispenser.
  • Generally, a sheet of toilet paper is almost square in shape and is usually around 10 centimetres (4 inches) across, or a little longer than it is wide.

Toilet Paper, White, Ten Random Facts, Lavender, Pattern, Invention, Bathroom, Hook,

  • Paper, similar to toilet paper for wiping body waste, has been evident since 500 AD in Chinese culture.
  • Although most often white in colour, toilet paper can depict a printed pattern, or it can be other bright colours, such as purple, blue or green; and it is usually purchased as a continuous length, rolled onto a cardboard tube that is sometimes scented.
  • One of the costs of producing toilet paper around the world is the loss of 27,000 trees each day, the amount required to produce approximately 83 million rolls.
  • Modern toilet paper is commonly accepted to have been invented in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty, from the United State’s New York, although the invention was largely ignored until the prominence of indoor toilets in the 1900s.
  • Toilet paper substitutes that have been used in the past include corn cobs, snow, water, wool, vegetation, rags, lace, wood shavings, seashells and sponges, although in the early stages, the modern invention was not without its hazards, as splinters from the product were not uncommon.
Bibliography:
Huskey D, Toilet Paper wasn’t Commonly Used in the United States Until the Early 20th Century, 2012, Today I Found Out, http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/07/toilet-paper-wasnt-commonly-used-in-the-united-states-until-the-early-20th-century/
McRobbie L, Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe, 2009, Mental Floss, http://mentalfloss.com/article/23210/toilet-paper-history-how-america-convinced-world-wipe
Toilet Paper, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper

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