“There are plenty of fish in the sea” is a widely used phrase that you’ve probably heard. It is an analogy that has been used to comfort humans for decades. However, there might not always be enough fish for everyone in the world, due to a serious issue: overfishing. There are two sides to the issue; one is that overfishing is not an issue at all. Many fishermen need to fish in large proportions to earn a living or support a family. Fish and seafood are in high demand in restaurants all around the world. It is thought that 70% of the world’s human population gets their main source of protein from seafood. However, overfishing is a violation of the laws of fishery, so therefore an issue is prevalent. Overfishing is threatening the marine environment in more ways than one: we are losing species and entire ecosystems. In ecosystems, many organisms rely on each other for survival, so overfishing is affecting multiple species of plants and marine animals and the environment surrounding them.

Different areas of the ocean have different types of marine ecosystems. An ecosystem can be described or defined as “a community and the interactions of living and nonliving things in an area.” There are ecosystems on land and under the sea. The ecosystems below the surface are called marine ecosystems. These marine ecosystems all have distinct organisms and unique characteristics. They result from the exclusive combination of physical factors, or abiotic factors, that create them. Some examples of marine ecosystems are: abyssal plain (deep sea coral, whale falls and brine pools), polar regions, coral reefs, the deep sea, kelp forests, mangroves, the open ocean, rocky shores, salt marshes and mudflats and sandy shores. The biotic factors include many marine animals and plants, for example: different species of fish, coral, seals, penguins, squid and octopi, sea anemones, plankton and porpoises. This diagram shows each of the biotic factors (living things) in the marine ecosystems and what they eat- it is a food web. Fish are a food source for many other creatures in the ocean. They also help some marine plant-life to grow, therefore helping creatures that eat coral and other marine plants, such crabs and turtles. This is an example of biotic relationships. Selected species of fish and the coral around them have relationships of mutualism, such as clownfish and anemones. Other fish relationships in the food web have one species be benefited and the other remain unaffected, like the barnacles on the shells of scallops; this is an example of commensalism. Sharks eating the fish are an example of predation; they seek out their prey as a food source. However, sharks are in competition for food with species of fish such as the northern pike- meaning that they have to sometimes fight for food that they both want. Fish of all species can be targeted by isopods. Isopods are ‘fish lice’, and they are an example of a relationship of parasitism as they will drain the fish’s body of all liquid and food, and will not leave until they choose to or the fish dies.

As there are many different species of fish and other organisms living in the ocean, they all have different life cycles. This diagram is a basic life cycle of a salmon and fish of similar size. Most fish begin as eggs, in time they develop into alevin. Alevin feed off a yolk sac, they don’t swim around yet. Once the fish become fry, then they start swimming. They are usually very small; some fish stay with their parents and some head off on their own. After this, the fish develop scales and markings and grow over a period of time: this can be between months and years. They will go through stages of growth, eventually becoming a sexually mature adult. Before natural death, the fish will spawn and lay eggs of their own. Then the cycle begins again, with the fish growing in the eggs.

Overfishing directly impacts population sizes of marine life, and there are many reasons why the population is so affected. Species can die out very quickly, as these gigantic super trawlers and other ships used to haul in tonne by tonne of fish often target the one area until no fish are left, then move on. By targeting large schools of fish and leaving hardly any fish left in that area to carry on the gene: when the last fish in that area dies, there will be no more of that species in that area of the ocean. If these super trawlers are departing from many countries around the world, and can hold thousands of fish each, they can wipe out entire species in a matter of weeks. The hooks that are used either alongside or instead of large nets are also very destructive. These hooks kill over 2700 sharks and marine turtles in the Coral Triangle alone every six months. Let’s not forget that marine life of all types are also caught in the huge nets, and are sold or discarded in terrible condition. With multiple species being affected as a result of these barbaric practices, it is obvious that our human impact is destroying the marine ecosystems.

Natural ecosystems such as marine ecosystems can be sustainable in many ways. One way to have a sustainable ecosystem is to have biodiversity. It is a crucial aspect of having sustainable natural ecosystems. Biodiversity refers to the sheer quantity of species that inhabit an ecosystem. A bio-diverse ecosystem is one where there are plenty of species at all sides of the food web, and animals and plants can easily rely on each other for survival. It also has genetic diversity, meaning that evolution and adaption can occur more easily. Having a food chain is another important aspect of a sustainable natural ecosystem. It is where a healthy, sustainable ecosystem allows for the unbroken movement of energy from species to species. An example of this is: plants convert solar energy into chemical energy. Animals eat the plants and convert the energy into kinetic and heat energy. When these animals die and decompose, their stored energy returns to soils to be used again by plants. It is a balance, popularly referred to as the circle of life, and is important in all sustainable ecosystems. Biogeochemical cycles are also vital parts of a sustainable ecosystem. This refers to the climate and geological changes, directly affecting an ecosystem’s stability. Every ecosystem, whether it be marine or not, relies on chemicals from the earth, light and heat from the sun, and the presence and movement of water. The movement of water through an ecosystem, a hydrologic cycle, is crucial in providing stability and a sustainable ecosystem. It is important in marine ecosystems as it often affects the balance of temperatures and nutrients in a body of water.

An ecosystem can feel the influence of overfishing in six months and not recover whatsoever. As of 2001, the population of marine life in the coral reefs of Guam is lower than it was in 1967 when authorities began monitoring the life. In the last decade, in the Atlantic regions, fish populations of cod, hake, haddock and flounder have fallen by up to 95%. It is statistics like these that urge us as humans to prevent overfishing. Overfishing has been occurring since colonial times, and has directly affected balance in ecosystems and their sustainability. Humans are the root cause of overfishing, not animals, as animals are creating a circle of energy and sustaining the planet. Humans, as we are an overpopulated species, are taking more than we need. So many humans rely on seafood as their source of protein, but the reality is how we are impacting ecosystems is disturbing and we need to have better practices. Oil spills, which can happen on these gigantic super trawlers used to fish in large amounts, affect thousands of species. Animals can instantly become ill and die as a result, if they survive being stuck in a net in the first place. As sustainable ecosystems have a distinct food web, the biodiversity is usually something that comes naturally. However, as a result of human activity, larger species are dying off. This allows smaller organisms, like bacteria, to flourish- and as these bacteria grow they kill off more fish as well. The bacteria kill other marine life too, such as coral, which then affects turtles and other animals consuming the plant life under the sea. When these fish and marine plants decompose under the sea, they affect the ocean floor- in which other marine life live. This puts other species at risk, especially sea cucumbers, which consume and excrete sand and other things on the bottom of the ocean. Finally when we consume this fish, we ourselves as humans are consuming more fungi and microorganisms than protein, all as a result of our own greediness and disregard for marine life as humans.

As overfishing is not exclusive to just one type of marine ecosystem, it is important that we look for strategies to sustainably fish in all marine ecosystems. Authorities plan on making fishing more sustainable by introducing plans such as Ecosystem Based Management, or EBM. This conservation work started by the World Wildlife Foundation aims to find innovative forms of management to conserve fish populations. By confronting people in positions of power about these issues, super trawlers are being banned from the waters in special areas that this EBM and other organisations (with the support of the governments of different areas of the world) have deemed protected. By protecting essential, bio-diverse marine ecosystems from these large fisheries, many species can breed there and then migrate to other areas in smaller groups. Then when people fish, they will target smaller groups rather than one large ecosystem where many species are harmed in the process. Safer traps and safer management will also help the industry, and now as it is very much illegal to overfish, most fisheries are monitored so as to make sure that they only take what is needed. The idea is to allow this biodiversity to remain, only fish in different areas, rather than just the one, target one small group of fish, implement safer practices and protect ecosystems. The EBM supports sustainable fisheries and smarter fishing choices, and more countries are beginning to take part in the EBM and are becoming aware of the issues surrounding overfishing as a whole- not just overfishing of whales and dolphins.

One interesting perspective of this topic is that overfishing is not an issue at all. In fact, overfishing can be compared to an industry such as owning a clothing shop. The more items of clothing you sell, the more money you make. If you sell expensive, designer items of clothing, you make even more money. The same goes with the fishing industry. The more fish you catch, the more money you make. If you catch heaps of big fish of rare breed and delicious taste, you make even more money. Money is an incredibly important factor in our world, and as many people in developing countries go hungry due to lack of money, it directly impacts and influences human life. The livelihood on over 500 million people in developing countries depends solely on fisheries and agriculture. Seeing as the average family size in developing countries is 7 people, which is a lot of mouths to feed, these men (rarely women from developing countries work in the industry) need their jobs to stay alive. The more fish caught by the men working in these industries, the more money they get to buy food for their family so they can live and be healthy like every human should. The men working in these large fisheries hardly get a wage, but they at least have a wage. To hold on to their jobs and feed the family, they have to catch fish in the thousands. Overfishing is hardly even an issue when you compare it to world hunger. If it means catching a few more fish, then why not solve an issue that affects so many people, like world hunger? Why kill humans so a bunch of fish can have a better life? It simply does not make sense in any way, shape or form.

Overfishing is not environmentally or economically smart. As a result of these huge businesses catching so many fish, small industries and local fisheries are shutting down, as they don’t stand a chance against the giant ships, hooks and nets. Many Australian fisheries have been affected by overfishing, especially up in the northern part of Australia. Small businesses cannot run as a direct influence, and as so many people in developing countries want a job in the industry- many get minimum or below minimum wage for working many hours in terrible conditions. The annual total global catch of fish is 124 million metric tons, which is equivalent in weight to 378 Empire State Buildings. This is not a sustainable way of fishing and it affects thousands upon thousands of marine species. The FAO has pointed out that about 25 percent of the world’s captured fish end up thrown overboard because they are caught unintentionally, are illegal market species, or are of inferior quality and size. This means that sick or disturbed fish are being thrown back into the ocean, harming other marine life around them, and our people in developing countries we talked about before do not get paid. The stability of ecological communities depends largely on the interactions between predators and prey, so to keep such biodiversity we have to prevent overfishing as much as possible to allow marine ecosystems to flourish. Overfishing has affected sharks and larger marine life as well as tuna, salmon etcetera. Recent reports suggest that over fishing has caused a 90% decline in shark populations across the world’s oceans and up to 99% along the US east coast. These are some disturbing numbers, and when you add them to the fact that the more fish we take the more our humans will get sick due to the spreading bacteria- you really think, what is the point?

In conclusion I definitely think that overfishing is a serious issue that we need to get a grasp on, and quickly. More people are becoming aware of this issue, and I think that in the future it will no longer be an issue. Sustainable fishing practices are key: obviously the fish industry is not going to end, but we need to fish in an environmentally safe way. If we do not prevent overfishing from happening, humans and marine life will be affected. Due to lack of biodiversity, we could consume unhealthy fungi and microorganisms too small for our eyes to see, therefore harming our bodies. Fundamentally, overfishing has a direct route to multiple problems, which could lead to the downfall of many jobs, and most importantly the health of human and animals. Although many people rely on fish as a source of income, I think that by practicing safe methods of catching the fish they will still benefit. Also, companies, fish shops and large supermarkets should always consider how their fish was caught before they sell it. We should try to buy fish that was caught using safe procedures and are keeping our marine ecosystems sustainable.  People also need to consider that we can obtain protein from other foods, so that with our growing population we cease to take more than we need from our marine ecosystems. Sure, “there are plenty of fish in the sea”, and we should all agree to keep it that way.

Over the past few weeks in English class we have been inquiring into persuasive writing. We have learnt about persuasive techniques, how to apply these techniques in our writing, the structure of persuasive text, and most recently about issues. We define these problems that have 2 or more sides, and have learnt how to take a statement and turn it into a question that does not have such a simple yes/no answer.
I chose the issue: “Should Australian parents be prohibited by law from smacking their children?” I chose this issue because I saw it on the news a few months or so ago, and felt that it was relevant to many people in Australia. There were also many different opinions about the issue, so I thought it would be dynamic to research. Using the website Storify, I gathered information from many sources, both for and against the issue.
My personal viewpoint is that parents should refrain from smacking their children; there are many other effective ways to raise children and teach them right from wrong. Time outs and groundings are proven to work just as well, and people should not resort to using their hands to punish children. Whilst researching, I learnt that parents who use smacking as a parenting technique can easily go too far and actually abuse their children. I also learnt that the parents that do smack their children all say similar things, for example: “It didn’t affect me as a child, it won’t affect my children.”
The most effective persuasive techniques were quotes, statistics, reason and logic, emotional appeal and rhetorical questions. These techniques were all most effective when used in the same articles. I found statistics way more effective than anecdotal evidence. The anecdotal evidence that I read about was particularly ineffective, because they were not presented alongside facts and were not very well worded.

Here’s my Storify, so you can see some evidence on both sides of the spectrum.

Recently in English we read the book Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta.
Here is a Popplet I made using quotes from the book, showing the evolution of the family relationships in Looking For Alibrandi.

Okay, so I know this isn’t related to my educational journey really, but it’s still pretty impressive. This blog, which is about my school life and school project, has managed to get over 5,000 hits worldwide! It’s quite a splendid thing to marvel at: that in countries I’ve never been to, countries I don’t even know the name of- people have been on my blog! It is a breath-taking reality that I never even considered.  I think it is really beneficial to use blogs as a way to connect with the outside world, instead of just making a portfolio and wasting paper. Creating a blog connects you to students and people worldwide- you can relate to other people rather than using scissors, glue and paper to create a map of your learning. Not only are blogs better for the environment, they are a permanent cyber footprint that can help you in the future. I think the more effort you put in to maintaining a regularly updated blog, the more you will take away. It’s the same as any other lesson you learn at school, if you concentrate and “aspire, inspire, perspire”, you will learn something valuable and have a solid record of how you learned and lived in the years before you were an adult. I really hope that other students all around the world consider writing a blog to map their learning experiences, as I find that  it will help flourish your writing skills and your internationalism- your overall connectivity to people all around the world. If you have the oppurtunity to write a school blog, do it whole-heartedly. I can guarantee it will not only open doors in the future, it will also open your mind.

Click on the link below to see my blog’s worldwide viewing statistics

My ClustrMap

The dots indicate views from all around the world!

I wrote this reflection last week, reflecting on camp the week before. 32 girls participated on this camp, and I am sure we all took something out of it that will remain forever in our hearts.

Considering all I could think of to rhyme with Yookamurra was kookaburra, I decided to avoid poetry this time when reflecting upon my experience (which is quite a rare occurrence).  What a unique experience it was over the past week: to have my mind and my heart opened. I felt open to new animals, new people, new environments and new ways of life. On the weeklong Social Justice journey I not only discovered things about a local school environment, but also about the environment in a wildlife sanctuary in South Australia called Yookamurra. I even discovered things about myself that I had never considered before, such as how I feel so joyful and fulfilled when with younger children (not to mention my incomprehensible allergy discovered at Adelaide Airport- Coca Cola). I had the opportunity over the past week to be immersed in an underprivileged school on the Mornington Peninsula. I was able to not only assist in the classrooms, but also get to know the children at the schools and engage in creative activities with them at lunchtime. I also had the opportunity to learn about observing, tracking and identifying animals and plants at Yookamurra. It was my first time doing anything in such a rural area, and I think once I really became engrossed in the activities I came to enjoy this experience far more than I first thought I would. If it is true what they say, that we are shaped as humans from our experiences, then I hope that this experience will have molded me into an open-minded and persistent person. I cannot wait to experience even more of what the world has to offer by participating in Beyond Boundaries in the years to come.

This term in English, each student in Year 8A read a book that had something to do with war. After reading this book, we had to create a care package to send to one of the characters in the book. This package would contain things that could help the character, and also items that would explain the character’s personality and their life experiences.

Yesterday, everyone in 8A had the opportunity to observe and review the care packages of other people. This was a great thing to do because we got to take control and assess each other, rather than just having the teacher assess us.

My favourite care package was probably the one belonging to Riley W, as it reflected her knowledge of the book and I felt a strong connection between Riley and the main character in the book, Nelly. Riley also used very original items that reflected the era in which the book was written in, which made them feel more realistic.

I read the book Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French. I sent the main character these items:

• A blue ring
• A picture of his Aunt Miriam
• An Alfausen University scroll
• A teddy bear
• A biscuit tin to store biscuits for Alan
• Twine to make the kites fly as high as eagles
• A book mark from Mrs. Huntley
• Elizabeth’s white ribbon

Here is a summary of the plot of the novel:

It is 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. Georg, a German boy, has his father is seized in an uprising at a university: as he is believed to be Jewish.  Georg is hidden away in a suitcase and shipped to London as “George”. When the Germans bomb London Georg is sent to Australia, where he lives with his foster family. When even New South Wales becomes unsafe, Georg reveals his true identity, looks inside himself and manages to save everyone. He is a hero, and his foster family accepts him for who he is and takes him in as their own.

The main character in this book is Georg. He is a young boy; at the start of the book he is only eleven years old. Georg is an only child. All his life he has grown up in Germany, in a town called Alfhausen. Georg’s father is a

Professor at the university in Alfhausen. Georg adores books and learning like his father. Georg has blonde hair and blue eyes, and the “perfect Aryan head”. Georg is always accepting of others and of the challenges that are thrown at him and he is always craving acceptance in return.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it wasn’t a particularly difficult read but it was very moving. It really showed me how war can change people, how it can shape the course of their life- often for the worse not the better. All though all wars come to a halt, why do they even begin? It opened my eyes to bigger questions. What is the point in fighting? We are all one world, why turn against each other? Sure, no one knows the meaning of life. We all have different religions, beliefs and political views. But if we constantly fight each other, what will be left? Does the good that comes out of war outweigh the bad? Are all the pain, the death and the loneliness worthwhile? Jackie French is an amazingly talented writer. I have read many of her novels in the past, but this one stuck to me in a different way. One boy could go through all that pain in his life, and still manage to go on day by day and be a hero? Maybe there is that hero in all of us, trying to break out underneath all the pain of life. All we have to do is find them.

This term in English we have been studying the novel Finding Darcy by Sue Lawson, which has so far been quite a breath taking book. It is written in the voice of a young girl, Darcy Abbott, and she discovers more and more about the loss her family experienced during the war, in particular the year 1942. As part of an assessment task, Chessie and I wrote a poem about the sinking of the Montevideo Maru. The ship sunk near the Phillipine island of Luxon on the 1st of July, 1942 when it was torpedoed by the submarine the USS Sturgeon, killing over 1000 people and members of the 2/22nd Battalion. Anyway, here’s the poem! Enjoy.

Lost At Sea, Not In Our Hearts

One thousand, four hundred men,

In Raubaul, 1942.

The 2/22^nd battalion,

Who died and nobody knew.

The Japanese were coming,

Five thousand men ready to fight.

Ready to capture Australians,

They came in the dead of the night.

The men put up a gallant fight,

But they were overrun.

Every man was for himself,

Some not even equipped with a gun.

In the North and in the South,

They ran towards the coasts.

With no provisions for escape,

They stood as living ghosts.

At Tol Plantation, on the shores,

Stood Australia’s weary men.

Outnumbered and outdone,

One hundred and fifty died then.

The Japanese dropped pamphlets,

To give the men a choice.

Become a prisoner of war,

Or forever lose your voice.

Aboard Montevideo Maru,

Locked away in the hold.

Living in the worst conditions,

They would never get to grow old.

A submarine torpedoed the ship,

It sank on the first of July.

There was no time for the prisoners of war,

To say their final goodbye.

Haven’t posted since the new Term began, but it’s Term 3 now which is exciting. So many great things to look forward too, some fun House events, 40 hour Famine etc. Here’s some facts about the Murray Darling Basin, which we will be studying in Geography this Semester.

The Murray-Darling River System is one of the largest ever. It covers over one million square kilometres of Australia. It covers most of New South Wales and about half of Victoria. It flows from Queensland, NSW, the Australian Alps, the North-East of Victoria and the Riverina River to Goolwa. It also skims ACT.

The three main rivers in the Murray Darling River System are:

Murray River (2530km), Darling River (2740km) and Murrumbidgee River (1690km)

The Murray Darling Basin generally covers this much of Victoria and New South Wales: VIC: ½, 60% NSW:¾, 85%

In Victoria, the Murray River generally flows North West.

You can tell the way the water flows in the Murray by the contour lines shown on the map, which show the depth and height of surfaces, therefore the river flows from the high surfaces down to the lower ones. Eg: From mountains down to flatter land.

The Murray River is the border between NSW and VIC. The border between these two states is straight in-between Mt Cobberas and Cape Howe because the Murray River does not reach this far so an imaginary line that is shown on maps but does not really exist divides Victoria and NSW.

In NSW, the Murray River generally flows South West.

The mouth of the Murray River is located in SA at Goolwa. The Murray flows around a number of islands and through Lake Alexandrina before entering the Southern Ocean. The last region that the Murray River flows through is an important national park called the Coorong, which consists of different eco-systems, a beach that travels for 200km and a long narrow lagoon that extends for over 100km parallel to coastal dunes.

The source of the Murray River is in the Australian Alps, which are along the border of Victoria and NSW.

Here’s a presentation I’ve recently done in a group in Humanities. It was a really interesting project on castles, and my group and I chose the Beaumaris castle. We had to present it like we were people living in the Middle Ages trying to sell our castle. Enjoy!

Our Speech with Information:

Jo: This beautiful castle is located in the Isle of Anglesey, in Beaumaris. Beaumaris means “beautiful marshes” because this castle is built amongst the gorgeous green marshes in Anglesey. This stunning castle is in a town of the same name (Beaumaris) in Wales. It overlooks the stunning blue sea, with an amazing breeze for those steamy summer days. The surroundings of this delightful castle will pleasure the highest of royalties, as it will also pleasure thee. There are often blue skies and a sea breeze, perfect weather to undergo thy daily duties and whatever they entail. The soft marshlands are easy on the eyes and are perfect for an outside meal or a training practise for the best of thy knights. All in all the location of this castle could not be more perfect and thou would be vacuous to bypass this castle and not buy it.

Amber:
This castle was built to withstand sieges and wars. No need to worry about thy enemies, this castle offers safety and protection from all. A ditch had been surrounding the castle and it was filled with water to form a moat, henceforth no enemies will be able to get too close. Ye castle has a strong drawbridge plated with iron around the bottom for extra protection, so thou shall never have to worry about enemies getting in. Ye windows are a classic slit window so there is a lower risk of any arrows coming through the small opening, and at the same time it’s easy for whoever is inside the castle to shoot out. Ye castle is a rare yet outstanding concentric castle.

It has two sets of walls (an inner wall and a outer wall), so if attackers managed to get through the first wall they would be stopped at the second. Both walls are defended by towers at the corners, and the towers have slit windows and turrets so thou can easily pour hot tar on the enemy below. There is a channel leading into the sea, allowing English men and women to bring food and supplies straight to the castle without any problems. This castle has been attacked a few times but is yet to be defeated. Ye castle is built on solid flat ground but still manages to have an extraordinary level of defence. If thou buy this castle, we can guarantee protection from your enemies and can guarantee friends in England to support thy endeavours.

Erin:
This spacious castle hath one of the best places to entertain, a convenient Banquetting Hall. This is a great place to entertain because it is quite capacious for all your noblemen and loyal servants. Ye hall also features a wooden platform so people can perform thy favourite minstrel shows. It is ideal for after a knighting ceremony as all the people have room to be seated and in a safe and welcoming entertainment facility. This room is fully-furnished with the finest wooden tables and there is plenty of silverware to go around if you have guests over. Ye castle has a chapel in the courtyard. This quaint yet wondrous chapel is connected to the walls of the courtyard. This chapel is perfect for knighting ceremonies and Sunday services.
We have a kitchen area with a large iron skillet so that your female servants can cook. This kitchen area is perfectly placed in the inner ward and so that it will not take down the whole castle if thou art to have a fire.

Another religious feature of this castle is the big, booming bell tower. Everybody in Wales will know that somebody’s getting married when your bell clangs, as it echoes throughout the structure of the tower.
A valuable facility included in this castle is the privy. The privy was just invented in the 15th century. The castle has an indoor privy like superior to all other castles. This facility is the size of a warm closet so thou shall never get cold when doing thy private business. It is placed in the wall for that great look of having everything in place. There is a smooth wooden seat made from the best wood in all Wales, with a hole on the middle covering up the cesspit.
This castle also features a breath-taking yet practical herb garden so that thy ladies in waiting can make all the remedies you need.

Amber:
This castle is ideal because of its beautiful bedrooms, which art welcoming and art perfect for thou and thy guests. Ye beds art made from strong timber beams, chopped from surrounding oaks. Curtains hang from ye side and also embroideries. A simple yet elegant canopy is overhead. Thou and thy guests will feel at home and will lie in awe as thee observe the stunning tapestries woven by our finest weavers of the castle. Ye mattress is made from the finest feathers with a pillow made from chopped up straw. There is a slide out truckle bed and straw mattress for thy slave or young child to sleep in under thy bed. The surrounding walls of the bedroom are hanged with tapestries, giving thou warmth and a feeling of power. There is also plenty of room in the centre of the castle for slaves to camp out and live.

Erin:
Own more than thy arms can carry? Don’t fret; this castle can hold all of the lordly items that thee need to run a castle effectively. There are large and sturdy stables for thy horses, so thou will be able to give all thy knights the opportunity to ride and keep horses. Our castle also features large stone storage areas where thou can store all of thy food in case of a kitchen fire. Thou can store foods for your parties in the hall and just thy regular foods such as, carrots, cauliflower cabbage, parsnips and turnips. Our castle also hath a storage area for thy knights where thou can store all your swords, shields and other materials made by your blacksmith. We have large cupboards to store material and clothes made by the servants, and cabinets of
all shapes and sizes for storing thy herbal remedies and other miscellaneous items. Most of the storage areas in the castle are large stone structures or wooden structures far from the kitchen and other hazardous areas.

Jo:
This castle has the latest and greatest in machine technology. The drawbridge works using a sliding platform, which can be pulled backwards and forwards, this opens out the drawbridge to allow your guests to enter the castle. In a simple second the yett, an iron barring, can drop down and close the castle off by using this same force. Another machine featured in this castle is a crane to transport thy goods from the floor up to the castle where you need them. Ships travel up the small channel and place the crates of food onto a platform connected to a cord.

Ye machine is therefore the effective method of a man in a wheel connected to a cord, when he runs in the wheel it pulls up the crate. This castle has all the equipment any lord would ever need. There is a blacksmith working in the courtyard and he has made plenty of armour and weaponry, we have skillets for cooking, wooden buckets for cleaning, stationery, scrubbing brushes, utensils for cleaning horses and more useful equipment to make thy life as a lord as carefree as possible! If thou dost have an item, telegrams can be sent to England and soon thee shall acquire it. All of the basic equipment thou shall need will be in the castle to begin with.

Thank you for reading,
Jo Dalstead