Olive Odyssey – Retracing the Route of the Olive Tree  

Syrian olive groves near Julie's family farm

Shortly after getting married, Colin and Julie Angus journeyed 7000 km in rowboats connecting their ancestral homelands of Scotland and Syria.  Their seven-month expedition ended at Julie’s families’ olive farm in the Middle East, and it was here that they were inspired with the idea for their next journey. 

Surrounded by thousands of silvery-leaved olive trees, it was hard not to think about the role this miracle fruit has played in the development of countries surrounding the Mediterranean.  Situated a short distance from the farm is an ancient city that revealed the earliest written evidence of olive usage.  Five thousand year old grindstones and earthenware jugs, once filled with olive oil, had been uncovered nearby.  The ancient gnarled trees of the family farm were a part of that history and we were intrigued to learn more. 

Ruins of the 5th-century Byzantine basilica at Kharab Shams, one of the Dead Cities in Nort-western Syria

The olive tree is one of the earliest domesticated trees and it was here, in the cradle of civilization, where that occurred some 7000 years ago.   Since then cultivars spread throughout Europe and beyond, playing a pivotal role in the development of countries and cultures.  In modern times, the health and culinary merits of olive products have increased demand to the point where producers are struggling to keep up.  As a result it is one of the most corrupt food industries, where false labelling and fortification is rampant.

We decided to retrace the journey of the domesticated olive tree, beginning by exploring the oldest groves and artefacts in the Fertile Crescent and trekking westward through the olive stands bordering  the Mediterranean.

Ancient olive tree in Sicily

The origins of today’s olive tree are not fully understood and many issues, such as where the first olive tree was farmed or just how the groves in Western Europe originated, are hotly debated.  But it is clear that the olive tree played a pivotal role in our ancient civilizations and still does today.  Through archaeological findings, modern DNA analysis, and historical records we will piece together a comprehensive story about one of the world’s most remarkable fruit.    

The journey will take place in 2011 and will be the basis of a book and documentary.  Julie will author the book for Greystone Books and Colin is producing a documentary.  There are still opportunities to become involved in the expedition as a sponsor, research advisor, or film producer. If you are interested please contact us at team@angusadventures.com. 

Vancouver Island Circumnavigation  

Colin training for the Vancouver Island circumnavigation

Vancouver Island's 1150 km of coastline is beautiful, rugged, and a formidable challenge to kayakers and other paddlers.  Besieged by fierce winds sweeping across the Pacific and exposed rocky cliffs along its western shores, these waters are not kind to the unprepared or the unlucky.  Yet there are many that have explored parts of this spectacular landscape by kayak or canoe, a few that have circled the entire Island, and in recent years a handful who have circumnavigated it as a speed quest. 

In the summer of 2011, Colin plans to challenge that speed record in a rowboat.  To date, these circumnavigations have been done by kayak and currently the record, an impressive 17 days, 4 hours and 49 minutes is held by British kayaker Sean Morley.  Whether rowing is a viable contender remains to be seen as no one has ever rowed around Vancouver Island.  Although there are advantages to rowing and in calm waters a rowing shell will outpace a kayak, the story may be different in rough seas and over long distances.  For one thing rowing is an energy intense activity and someone of Colin’s weight (165 lbs) will burn about 650 calories an hour whereas kayaking takes almost half the effort, some 375 calories per hour.  Also kayaks are designed to tackle big seas, and a good kayaker can stay safe in the most extreme conditions whereas most rowboats are not capable of handling gale force winds.

Yet Colin is not using just any rowboat and he has extensive experience rowing, especially on long distance voyages having rowed some 40,000 km across the Atlantic Ocean and Bering Sea, through Europe, and down the Amazon and Yenisey Rivers.   Along with his wife, he specially designed and constructed this boat to travel in rough waters and for lengthy durations, a design that proved itself on a 7,000 km journey from Scotland to Syria that Colin and Julie completed in 2008. 

You will be able to follow the row here through live satellite tracking and blog updates, as well as through Wavelength magazine at http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/islandrace.html.