Welcome to the official blog for Raleigh India 12I | July - August 2012



Welcome to the Official Blog for Raleigh India 12J September - December 2012.



Thursday 2 April 2009

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: First pictures from Tiger Island (Kanive Mallapanna)



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(Above: the new Alpha 3 site at Kanive Mallapanna)



Welcome to your first world-exclusive peek into the life at Kanive Mallapanna in the remote depths of the Indian forest!



The gang at Alpha 3 are working to build a much-needed anti-poaching camp which will help Karnataka Forest Department officials to stem theft of wood and animal products from this fragile ecological environment.

Sound important? It certainly is, but you'll be happy to know in true style our Raleigh gang have not lost their sense of fun.

The new Alpha 3 site has been dubbed "Tiger Island." The site is surrounded by a moat-like Elephant-proof trench upon which the Venturers are both living and working. The trench is impossible to leap so they do feel like they're on a tiny island in the middle of Bandipur National Park.


On the long jeep-journey to the site, the group discovered that all things certainly do come in threes: they spotted three groups of Indian elephants, and when they stopped the jeep for a closer look, quickly discovered a nearby tree was home to three snakes!


They've set up an impressive camp of bamboo in the old anti-poaching camp which has been dubbed the "servants quarters" and comes complete with a rice-bag buffet with appropriate qutoes from well-known rice-bag lunchers (well, maybe), check it out below!


The challenge to build an entire anti-poaching camp in one phase is a big ask and the team are already working very hard with a view to meeting the deadline at the end of phase in preparation for what promises to be a spectaular inauguration ceremony.


Alpha 3 was also the temporary home to a special guest from London, Raleigh's head of fundraising Teresa Fitzgerald.



Teresa joined the Raleigh India family for what we considered a far-too short length of time, and is now heading back to spread the word of India's success to everyone in the UK.



"The camp site at Alpha 3 was just amazing, the group worked like trojans to get it up and ready in the first couple of days, it was such a privilege to be able to spend time with them," she said.


(Below: Teresa pictured with Tiger Island - I mean, Alpha 3 - project manager Andrew Cox.)


Country Programme Manager Mark Ashby also joined the Alpha 3 team for a morning, and checked out the amount of wild lantana growing around the camp.



Lantana is a noxious weed in much of the Australian and Asian regions and Raleigh is investigating potential future projects to help eradicate the dense, prickly and poisonous bush from parts of remote India.

(Mark Ashby checking out the prolific spread of lantana around the Tiger Island campsite)


The loop vehicle will be heading back out to Alpha 3 this phase so there will be more stories from the Tiger Island troops before the end.



In the meantime, here's two cool things:


The first is a picture of our five new explorers! I forgot to post it the other day, so here is Alex, Em, Anuta, Zhara and Gavin at Fieldbase shortly before deployment:





And secondly, I promised a special guest blogger and as a "Grand Blog Master" (thanks to the de Wilton olds for that nickname) I do try to deliver!


Holly Gottlieb was on the trekking phase for phase 2. She has since returned and joined "Team Toilet" at Kalainhnahalla but took time out during changeover to write up her experience on the 200km hike in Kerala.


(Above: Holly and the trekking group during Phase 2)



Read on!





Not-so-glorious mud: A tale from Kerala

For most of us the highlight of the trek was without doubt the summit day where we climbed the Missapuli Mala peak which the trek is named after. We climbed for hours and hours only to find clouds swarming around us when we reached the top. Nevertheless, ecstatic doesn’t really equate to how we felt when we got there. Coming down the mountain we adopted an alternative way of moving by sliding down the rocks and grass on our arses, it was a much more effective way of coming down!

Needless to say that
there was quite a lot of sewing to do that evening, particularly in Rosanna’s case where she had to resort to gaffer tape in an attempt to patch up the almighty tear in the crotch of her shorts. We then visited the world’s highest tea factory where we across a guy who coincidentally lived on the same street as Angel, all the way back in barking. It was only on the jeep ride down from the tea factory that the sun eventually came out and we were able to appreciate the incredible news.

Being Zoe’s birthday, we celebrated that evening with plum cake and braced ourselves for the approaching storm.

Later on that evening, Jo and I woke up to find an inch of water INSIDE our tent and a waterfall had started on Zoe’s head. This failed to wake her up and it was only our cries of desperation which eventually woke her. After assessing the predicament, Zoe said, and I quote: “We are leaving. EVACUATE!”

Semi-dressed and clutching our sleeping bags and mats for dear life, we ran to seek shelter in a workman’s slop, where we had left our rucksacks only to find them floating in a foot of water. We managed to find a square metre still semi-dry and the three of us spent the night huddled together bracing against the hurricane-force winds and rain, praying the water didn’t creep any closer. It has certainly been my
most memorable evening of expedition!
After the particularly tough day, our first rest day was spend lounging about a lake with geese, some of the group went and bought chickens from the local town and the massacre that followed was enough to scar even nature-boy Tom M, for life.

Another very memorable occasion occurred when we were trying to cross a dried up lake. Had the first group been right in their prediction that we would not see s drop of rain, this would have been a very easy task. However considering that we saw torrential rain every night, an easy task it was not.

We spent a good couple of hours trying to negotiate a way across and our decision to just “go for it” seriously backfired when some of us – me included – fell in, up to our waists, in pure sludgy mud.

A whole pile-up started when Rosanna got stuck and our guide Arun jumped in to save the damsel in distress. In classic comedy mode, Angel then launched herself in to save Arun,. Meanwhile the rest of us – not wanting to miss the opportunity – just stood by and took photographs.

For me, the most challenging part of the trek was the last few days which were particularly tough on the feet but I am so grateful to the rest of the group who pulled together and got me through it. Our last trekking day was pretty spectacular when the heavens opened minutes after we reached our campsite. The trek is designed to be tough and it certainly wasn’t a walk in the park but the sense of achievement and satisfaction I felt on completion made all the difficult times completely worthwhile.

(Below: Hobby, Sumith, Seb, Felicity and Angel at Vagamon campsite)




19 comments:

  1. Dearest Jo, i guess that might have been you in the tent with Holly and the flood on the trekking phase! Wow, life is going to be dull when you get home, but I am sure you will manage one week before flying out to Minorca for your sailing job. Lovely weather here, i have had my roof down everyday. Soph and Max are skiing, lots of snow and some sun. Cars finally ready for the first race this weekend at Donnington, and then the most recent purchase comes out on Easter Monday. Everyone is coming here for Easter, your eggs are on your bed as i guess the chocolate consumption might have been a bit low recently! Trying to do some research for you on accomodation on St Luke's campus, see if anybody your end has any information. The builders are back so life is noisy again and the dogs are barking all day! Hope the project goes well, loved the blog written by Holly!
    much love
    Mum, Dad, Pete, Soph, Bea and Lola

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alison & Peter J2 April 2009 at 22:24

    To Emily J Alpha 2
    Darling Ems
    Holly's blog made very entertaining reading do I detect a budding jounalist! Obviously the trek was fun but very hard going as well' I think you are all brilliant to have achieved that phase. Scotland is beautiful and the moment the Oykel has water, the sun is out and we are having a very relaxing time. I'm going to change flight to Friday 24th on the weekend if that is correct. Hopefully you'll let me know.
    Lots of love from Mum & Dad xxxxx

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  3. Hi Em (alpha 1)Hope you are enjoying the trek which sounds fantastic but very tough!So glad you have changed your ticket.Dont try to go to Chennai unless there are other places you also want to see in that area as Alex Thompson will have left the orphanage by the end of april.you might be better off just enjoying Kerula after Goa.Anyway its up to you.Charlotte said that it gets very very hot in May before the monsoon which is why Alex returns to England in April.Have just had a very interesting conference in London on Eating disorders.London was warm and spring like.All my love Mum xxx

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  4. stephen musgrave3 April 2009 at 04:13

    hey Becca! What is this name? What a great article with all your news! Sounds amazing with all you have been achieving with the group you are with. And having fun too. Here its all about G20 summits in London (no real trouble),Abama,sunshine, daffs, clocks going forward ie Spring, new Clio saga,summer hols plans, finals work by H, Easter holidays,hard work for me and missing you. The promised card/letter is on the way(soon). nnppsyitmwtbganbgbilyou.Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  5. Hi Anuta

    How is life. I hope you and Zahra are having good time. Your room is looking spotless and all the junk has disappeared now!!! No.............Don't worry.
    Luv you and miss you so much.

    Mummy,Daddy,Prajakta and off course Toby

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  6. To Alpha 4
    I hope you all have a great time on this last project phase. Little rain, no mud baths, no shocks, and no elephant wrath. Just a thought, you could rename Neil and / or Matt
    Colonel Hathi/s and sing them this song;

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Hup two three four
    Keep it up two three four
    Hup two three four
    Keep it up two three four
    Company sound off!

    Ho, the aim of our patrol
    Is a question rather droll
    For to march and drill
    Over field and hill
    Is a military goal!
    Is a military goal!

    Hup two three four
    Dress it up two three four
    Hup two three four
    Dress it up two three four

    By the ranks or single file
    Over every jungle mile
    Oh we stamp and crush
    Through the underbrush
    In a military style!
    In a military style!
    Hup two three four
    Keep it up two three four

    Colonel Hathi's March (Reprise)
    Oh, we march from here to there
    And it doesn't matter where
    You can hear us push
    Through the deepest bush
    With a military air!
    With a military air!

    We're a cracker jack brigade
    On a pachyderm parade
    But we'd rather stroll to a water hole
    For a furlough in the shade!
    For a furlough in the shade!
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    So signing off, and don't forget to
    Keep it up two three four. Matt's Mum x

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  7. Hello!
    How is everyone? Hope you're all still having an awesome time and not getting any more rain! It's very grey and cold in england, although everyone else thinks it's really warm.. It's good being back although really wierd driving again on normal roads and not getting coffee for 5p and drinking water from taps. Good luck with all the projects and rest of the trekking!
    Tom

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  8. Hi Hols

    It's good to see St Swots taught you girls how to write at least! Great blog - you had me in stitches! I'm also glad to hear you've honed the skill of sliding on your arse - it's taken years of practice!

    You should be getting loads of post soon - I just hope it all gets to you in time before you leave. Had a long chat with the man at Kingsworthy Post Office who's got relatives out in Mysore. He's got a flat in Goa (no, I didn't ask if you can use it!) but said the time you plan to go there it gets incredibly hot as it's just before the monsoon season. You may be lucky and miss the rains though. Jyoti has just popped round for a cuppa - she wasn't in Goa but in south Kerala. She did say of Goa though that you must visit the Anjuna market which is where you'll pick up lots of lovely gifts but you'll have to 'haggle for Britain' as they bump all the prices up when they see tourists coming. If you get a chance to visit north Goa she said that Aronbul is really nice and 'chilled'.

    Remind me to tell you about the connection between Fionna Blackburne and Mrs Stevens when we next speak...long story... However, you may be interested to know that Mrs Stevens' husband is an engineer who helped to develop the elephant proof fence for the Mckenna Foundation in Africa so she was very interested to hear all about your work with Raleigh!

    Make the most of your last couple of weeks - you're all going to be emotional wrecks when it comes to saying your goodbyes. Have fun!

    Lots of love,

    Mum, Dad, Carla, Jess and Finn xoxoxox

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  9. Hi Seb
    Hows things? We are all good. I'm (dom)giving you a wave. Enjoy the mud. Does it rain every day? It's easter holidays at last. Let us know where you plan to travel. Rang your work, told them you can work from the 30th May.They asked after you. Email us. Enjoy!
    Love mx

    Hi Seb,
    You seem to have had fun in the mud and rain during your trek. Shame it rained - have the rains come early?? Chelsea have Newcastle tomorrow, with Shearer as new manager, should be a tough game, then the little matter of L'pool on Weds. Keep working hard on the elephant fence, I'm sure its good for the soul! Lets us know your travel plans.
    love
    Dad

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  10. Hi Hamish
    How's it going? It still sounds as though you are having an amazing time - Dad and I are beginning to wonder how you are going to cope with life in the UK when you come back?!! And by the way, I have just confirmed your place at Chelsea!!

    All well here. Cameron back from SA tomorrow. He has had a great tour, they won all their matches & he won the prize for the player on tour who spoke the most rubbish!! I wonder where he gets that from?? Dad is very excited as Shearer is the new temporary Manager of Newcastle - let's hope they can now win a few matches and bring a smile to a few faces! Dad is very happy though as Incredible Miss won last Saturday!

    I hope that by the time you read this, you will have your implant - it has been an unbelievable nightmare! Yesterday, involved a few swear words and tears - just complete frustration, but I hope that it will be with you very soon! An incentive not to get it wet again - should this happen again I will be bringing a replacement out - and I am not sure you want your Mum to join you on your gap year?!!

    John, Andrea & the girls are down staying the weekend before they go to Barbados and Catherine (Thomas & Charlotte's Mum) comes to stay tomorrow. Hope that you have some mail now as I have asked a few people to write to you. Glad you are having such a wonderful time but missing you heaps.

    Lots of Love

    Mum, Dad & Cameron xxxx

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  11. Hi Neil

    Finally managed to look at the blog whilst on Ocean Village 2 cruise. Glad to see you're OK and that the work is going well. Pity about all the rain, however you all seem to be enjoying the mud fights!. We're OK presently somewhere in the Atlantic on our way to Malaga in Spain. Hope we can speak soon when we get back home just before Easter.

    Take care.

    Lots of love

    Mum and Dad xxx

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  12. To: William Jaggard
    From: Samantha Miller

    Willy!!! I'm sooo happy you got my letter! I WON MY ELECTION! Although now im scared to be president lol. It will be okay. Funny story...so today some kid was wearing the EXACT jersey you got me. Same 40th anniversary with Giggs on the back...and I got sooo paranoid that somebody stole it from my house during my birthday party this weekend (which was AMAZING I have funny stories) so I had to run home...rummage through my very messy room but in the end I found it and was a hypocondriac for no reason...you know.

    I love your silly happy dance! I'm sure you're loving treking...I hope you are taking lots of pictures and that maybe someday you'll upload them to facebook. Flights from mei guo to HK are relatively cheap right now sp hopefully we can work on something for the summer. Although I am flat broke and that may not happen but I really need to see you this summer somehow. At the moment I am procrastinating writing a 15 page paper on Costa Rican democracy...Im sure you're having a much better time. All my love!

    Sammykins

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  13. Hi Remi
    I have just got off the phone with Mama. They had been trying to send you a message in the first internet cafe they have been able to find in the remote areas where they are staying at the moment, but before they had a chance to complete and send the message there was yet another powercut and it had to be aborted. When they went to pay for their time on the computer they were told " Oh no, you're guests in our country you don't have to pay". This has been the consistent message everywhere they have been.
    They are having the most amazing time in Kashmir visiting places that no-one else would ever get to see and staying with the most hospitable families and being showered with presents. Kim is in great demand from all the younger people and they all want to hang out with him. " Kim come here , come with me!" etc.

    As you can imagine being at home alone and having to go to work everyday I am jealous as hell, but I'll get my time ....
    When you get back to the base camp there should be a letter waiting for you, and it would be great to talk to you before you begin the next phase of travelling, but it's good to know that you've got the first part arranged with the trip around Kerala - that should be amazing staying with locals- make the most of that cos it's special.

    I saw Jack last night when I went round to Jo & Maurice - he's got a place at Brighton so he's really chuffed, and is really looking forward to when you get back - it's been a bit quiet for him with everyone else on their trips.
    Send us a message on facebook. You'll also see from Kim's post that he has managed to arrange a couple of performances in St Petersburg and Moscow at the start of his big trip - he will be leaving at the end of April.
    Anyhow take care and have fun - they're not mutually exclusive!
    Chris x

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  14. for Jo D!
    heloh jo! just a quick message from me i am totally dying inside this extremely hot and sticky net cafe:D how are you? haven't seen any pics or messages for a while! i chose to believe it is just because you are too busy bothering...i mean helping...your group or whatnot :P
    I sent your letter off this week! you should get it soon, probably the day before you leave or something knowing our luck *sigh* but stil feel ma lurve:D it is hot hot hot and i am happily lazing aboot as it is the easter hols. pretty busy here trying to get my work completed and keep back the hordes of summer insects...learning heat beating secrets like 5rupee ice pops:D ah the ice creamy happiness!bwahahahah!well hope you are well and looking after yourself, be good sweetie!happy easter in advance...:Dxxx

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  15. To: Edmee S en Nadine M
    From: Diana K

    Mn allerliefste meisjes!!!!!!!!
    Hoe hebben jullie het nu? Hadden jullie mn vorige comment gelezen?
    Ik probeer de blog bij te houden, maar er wordt elke dag ongeveer een nieuwe geschreven en ik ben bijne nooit thuis!! Ik reken er maar op dat jullie me alle belevenissen in geuren en kleuren verhalen wanneer jullie terug zijn ;)
    Dientje ik las dat jullie de trekking zonder 'kleerscheuren' hebben volbracht en dat jullie prachtige bergen (waaronder de een-na-grootste van de wereld??!!!) hebben beklommen! Wat super moet dat zijn geweest! Ik hoop dat je ervan hebt genoten! En Edje ben jij nu met Eveline en Es aan t trekken? Hoe vinden jullie het so far? En hoe was je vorige project?
    Ik heb t erg druk de laatste tijd. Ik pas 4 dagen in de week na school op 2 jongetjes, Wietze en Antonie. Het is wel veel, maar ze zijn heel lief en zo kom ik ook nog eens op de hockeyclub (met de bakfiets!!!! haha) Verder werk ik op dinsdag en zaterdag de hele dag op de Albert Cuyp en pas ik bijna elke avond ook nog ergens anders op. Oh en hadden jullie al gehoord dat ik B&O ga studeren in Utrecht??! Met Eefje :) Mits ik aangenomen wordt natuurlijk.
    Aischa komt 15 april alweer thuis. Helaas kan ik haar maar eventjes op Schiphol zien, want ik vlieg zelf meteen door naar China, Chengdu! Ik ga met Lindy en mn nicht Pauline voor 5 daagjes vakantie vieren :D Kan via de KLM! Echt super!
    Isabella zit nu weer voor een shoot in t buitenland, An en Eef zijn bezig met tentamens, Han is bij ALLE 5 universiteiten in Engeland aangenomen en moet nu gaan kiezen welke ze het leukst vindt, Rutger is hard aan t werken bij het borduurbedrijfje, Sven is lekker aan t studeren en geniet van zn studentenleventje, de boys in Argentinie hebben het volgens mij onwijs naar hun zin, Laurens E is net terug uit Antartica en heeft het daar ook geweldig gehad, Laurens S werkt nu in een hostel in Australie, Ali is vrijwilligerswerk (Engels lesgeven) aan het doen in Nepal en.. heb ik nu iedereen gehad? Nou met iedereen gaat het dus heel goed :) Maar het wordt wel eens tijd dat we weer verenigd zullen zijn!
    Het weer in Nederland liet de laatste tijd wat te wensen over, maar afgelopen vrijdag was het ineens 21 graden!!! Het hele Vondelpark (of iig wat ervan begaanbaar is) en alle terrasjes zaten meteen proppievol! Ik ben wel toe aan een beetje zomer.
    Han, Isa en ik gaan misschien nog in juni/juli een reis maken, misschien Zuid-Amerika, maar dat hangt allemaal nog een beetje van aanmeldingen, financien en evt Engels cursussen af. We vinden het allemaal wel heel jammer dat India niet meer doorgaat voor ons :(( Gaan jullie met ons mee naar Z-Amerika???? Dat zou leuk zijn!!!
    Nou moppies, ik mis jullie allebei ontzettend! En de anderen natuurlijk ook! Dus ik geef bij deze heel veel digitale knuffels en kusjes van ons allemaal! Dat jullie maar snel veilig en gelukkig thuis mogen komen!
    Ik hou van je, Edje! Ik hou van je, Dientje!
    XOXO Daantje

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  16. Hi Nadine,

    Kan het zijn dat je op een groepsfoto naast Teresa staat? Hoe gaat je derde fase? Het is nog maar een week geleden dat je belde: ik liep toen over een dijkje langs de plaats Hindelopen, wat een typisch Toeristisch Nederlands stadje is. Terwijl jij dan net praat vanuit India en zegt dat je curry gaat eten. En nu zit je al weer over de helft van je India -trip. Hier gaat alles goed, behalve dat we je heel erg missen. En ik mijn ponsjo. Eet en slaap je goed? Toes is te oud om nog op muizen te jagen die we sinds een week in de keuken hebben. Verder komt het voorjaar steeds mee doorzetten waardoor we ons verheugen op een gezellige zomer met onze dochter.
    Take care en have fun. Daddy

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  17. Hi Angel Darling

    Flight change arrangements are fine, I can send funds through Western Union to the address you gave me. Please confirm date change is the 22nd and not the 23rd - phone, email or text me if you can. Once I have received your confirmation I will sort out change with BA and send you the service charge you need to pay. I can’t believe you met a lad from Barking – sunny Barking is on the map, two of you from this unique part of the World. Angel you are my heroine jumping in to save Arun (ha! ha! ha!) – I would love to have witnessed that, remember the pictures - this is a must see. I hope they gave you a medal (ha! ha! ha!). The overview from Holly tells me that your experience is more than an amazing one. I’m so happy that you are enjoying yourself and your achievements. I can see your smile in the picture – good to see that you and the team are exercising (the second law of health) as if climbing the Missapuli Mala peak wasn’t enough.


    Moses is using my personal mobile the one that ends in 32. I had his phone in my room when you called, that was absolutely amazing because that was the first time that I had ever had his phone next to me at 4.00 am in the morning!! (There are no coincidences). Call him, he’s looking forward to your call. Moses had a brilliant birthday, we went to Kids in Discipleship on Friday round Jessica’s and Vince house. The topic was the fruits of the spirit and the vine. Each family were given a spirit such as love, joy, peace etc and we had to put together a skit. Moses took the lead as he normally does. It was fun, plenty of creative thinking by the children I must say. It was also Maleah’s and Rebecca’s birthday. So there were three birthday cakes, three lots of birthdays songs and plenty of wishes by the birthday three. It’s the Adra fundraising time again, I did a sponsored step-up – 200 steps in 5 minutes most of us achieved the 200 mark and much more. Daddy, Moses and I are baking cakes to be sold, Daddy is making his special creation Caribbean pineapple and banana cake, Moses is making muffins and I am making wait for it - yes - fairy cakes (with a carrot kick of course). I’m in the middle or organizing the health expo. The venue is Walthamstow central in the farmers market on a Sunday. All the health professionals are going to carry-out free health checks and of course my specialism the eight law of health will be promoted. Anyway darling continue to enjoy and keep safe. Everyone sends their love and they ask for a weekly update on your progress. Loving you always Mum, Dad and Moses. x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

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  18. holly's grandma6 April 2009 at 02:32

    Hi Holly, just read your blog (with mARCUS,S help) Hope you,ve dried out by now. IS dad going to incorporate an elephant-proof fence in BLACK FARM.? Have fun and take lots of care, love from Grandma.

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  19. Posted by amina hyder

    Hi Zarz

    We are all at your house, Leya sleeping in your bed keepig it warm for u coming back!

    Your mum seen your pic, says u look happy u should post some more pics so we can show kids what u r upto.

    Take care

    Lots of love and kisses

    All the hydersxxxxxxxxxx

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