India Ignites! 09I

The advance team have arrived at field base and we’ve bought the monsoon along with us!
We haven’t let the rain dampen our spirits though…we’re taking to our jobs like ducks to water.

(Left: the front of fieldbase)






Yesterday, all a bit jeg lagged after a bumpy ride from Bangalore airport, we arrived at field base. Not up to much and suffering from losing a night’s sleep we had a quick tour of field base, tasted the mouth watering delights of south Indian food and had a very early night…10 hours sleep all round!

Now we all feel right as rain, we’ve settled in, we’re dusting off the equipment and cracking on with preparing for the exciting arrival of the project managers on 11th July and then the venturers on 25th July!

Who we are…

Left to right: Back - Jess, Communications Officer, Ali and Margaret, Logisitcs Coordinators, Mark, Acting Country Director, Amanda, Logistics Manager, M-J, Administrator, Nicky, Deputy Programme Manager. Middle - Manju (60/60), Manju & Girish, our drivers. Front - Kath, Finance Manager, Vijaya, Host Country Venturer Coordinator, Myriam, Medic.

Nicky, Deputy Programme Manager

(left in right hand photo)
After spending a month lounging about on the Greek Islands Nicky had a pleasant surprise of being upgraded on the way out here…and managed to get the Raleigh staff on the flight with her upgraded too! She’s set herself up for high expectations there…what else cant this lady blag us!? Nicky said, ‘I can’t wait for all the project managers and venturers to get here! We’ve got loads planned for the training and then for the expedition and the adventure phase its going to be awesome!’

M-J, Administrator (right in photo above right)

M-J is a bit of an insider…she is currently taking some time off from her normal job which is to look after Stacey Adams, the Chief Exec of Raleigh. How will Stacey manage without the fabulously organised M-J! M-J said, ‘This is my first Raleigh experience out of the office and it’s great to be out in the field seeing the other side of things. It’s nice to actually be experiencing what I have heard so much about!’.

Margaret and Ali, Logistics Coordinators

Earlier in the day Margaret and Ali starting sorting out the shop (right) where all the staff and venturers can buy goodies and essential supplies. At the moment they are debating what to name the currently nameless shop…Karnatka Kloset or Mysore Mall…what do you think? Or can you think of anything better!? Let us know by posting a comment. Margaret and Ali now battling with a squirrel in the store so are unavailable for comment directly….

Kath, Finance Manager
Kath is currently counting pennies saved for the rainy days of our expedition. Earlier today Mark said he was ready to hand over the spreadsheet and she had a look of delight on her face and declared ‘Yesss…I am so perfect for this job I am actually excited about a spreadsheet!’. Oh dear…she even bought along her own calculator!

Jess, Communications Officer

‘I’m really looking forward to all the venturers getting here and getting to know them. I can’t wait to see all the project sites and the adventure phase sounds amazing. I hope everyone who is coming is really excited as they certainly should be…it’s going to be great!’

Myriam, Medic

(Left: Myriam feeling at home surrounded by medical supplies)
‘This is my second Raleigh expedition, I was in Borneo in 2007 as a Project Manager and Medic which was fantastic. I had such a great time on that expedition and I’ve always wanted to come to India but never quite squeezed it in!'

Tonight will be our first trip in to Mysore to see the Maharaja’s Palace lit up…check back to find out how we got on…

P.S. the rain isn’t that bad it’s nice and refreshing and it’s lovely and warm!