Myself and Polly B had the pleasure of having a long weekend with Echo Three. We arrived Saturday afternoon just in time for the end of their digging shift which runs daily from 6.30am to 1pm. After the Raleigh rations staple of noodle lunch prepared by the 'housewives' on camp duty (the two team members who stay behind at camp to look after the site and prepare tea break and lunch), a spot of cricket was played with the local children from Basava Pura.
That evening we were treated to Kat's delicious cheesy pasta followed by Elisabeth's Banoffe Pie, most de-lish. Round the campfire we were serenaded by Owen, Robbie and Dr Phil, who each took it in turns to strum the guitar and sing us some good and some questionable songs!
The next morning we were roused with their delighted yells of 'DIGGING' which motivates them out of bed! Into the trench we put in a good day's work. The ground they're working on is full of rocks so it can be slow progress at times but spirits are kept high with plenty of banter and trench games.
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| Time for tea! 'Housewife' Katie is a welcome sight |
Shift over and Sunday afternoon was a blaze of sunshine, normally office bound myself and Polly B took the opourtunity top up our tans. Some of the group popped into local Basava Pura for some chai while Robbie and Owen entertained the local kids by making up 'crimping' songs to much humourous affect!
A misty Monday was welcomed with more yells of 'DIGGING'.
The group changed trench digging location for Monday's shift to where the soil was easier and less rocky and really got stuck in.
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| The commute to work ... |
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| Anniek adding a touch of glamour to the trench |
Then all too soon The Loop was there to deliver Hannah W to take up the reigns of PM for the final part of the phase and whisk me, Polly B and Hannah L away. We'd had a lovely weekend with Echo Three, they really seem to have the perfect set up there - a good enthuasuim for digging and entertaining ways to while away the well deserved lazy afternoons. We bid a fond farewell to Echo Three with big waves and drove off to the yells of 'DIGGING' in the air ...
KANE GRENNAN ECHO THREE
ReplyDeletehi kane lovely to see some great pics of you on the blogs your brothers and sisters always enjoy seeing pictures of you and what you are getting up to. matt said your dad has tried to send money to you through the main raleigh number but they keep saying that they will get back to him? so im not sure if you have managed to get any or not? if not if there is any other way? not long till you are home now everyone is looking forward to your return.it is very cold here so make sure you wrap up well on ur return flight home. missing you lots and looking forward to seeing you love always mum,mat,birdie,logan,kittyxxx
Echo Three - Aimee Welch
ReplyDeleteDear Aimee
How fit you look in the photos - puts the rest of us to shame (with the possible exception of Max who is going for long runs).
New from here? Well, you won't be surprised to hear that Guy has handed in his notice at Net-a-Porter, and neither of us will want to dwell on that in a blog message.(Can't remember if I've told you or not). Daddy is busy with news stories. Pippa with school and babysitting.
I've finally seen a consultant about my knee. The x-ray showed nothing, so I'll need an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis of a tear in my meniscus cartilage. The treatment is keyhole surgery to 'tidy it up'. I do so love the way consultants talk. So, I haven't been faking a bad knee for sympathy for the last few months!!!
No snow at the moment (cold and frosty but with a strange thing appearing in the sky - sunshine), but more snow due early next week. Scotland and The North have been completely overwhelmed with snow, and the army have been called in to dig out Edinburgh.The Yaktrax have completely transformed how Aunty Wend and I view bad weather - the grump factor has been reduced by quite a lot!!!!!!
More soon.
Lots of love and big hugs from us all xoxoxoxoxo
PS Both furry members of the family send you a maiow and woof respectively!!
For Natalie Gordon, Charlie One.
ReplyDeleteHi Nat! Hope you are still having an amazing time, im so jealous! Cant wait to see you when you get back! Although with our freezing cold, snowy weather here you may not want to come home lol. Looking forward to a long catch-up, see you soon!! lots of love, Lianne x
for echo3 great job friends.really good.lots of love raja
ReplyDeleteHello Anniek @ Echo Three !!
ReplyDeleteI guess my earlier message in Dutch didn't make it... I want to convey our regards and those of the Opa's en Oma's. I received some further pictures from Angela that made us very happy. Whatever we see and understand through the blog makes us very proud of you. Hope you will enjoy your last few days over there amongst your new friends. Life will be quite a change again when you are back. Surely you will enjoy the hot showers again, appreciating that it can be different. De Boer thought of you for Christmas already... They love to see you again and also arranged a nice packet for you. So did we... ;-) We are looking forward to your arrival next week at Schiphol. Please thank the staff and everybody there at Raleigh Fieldbase for their support and kindness on behalf of us as well. Have a good trip back !! GoogleXX Paps & Mams
Hey Anniek, Je ziet er stralend uit!!Leuke foto's etc.. Volgens ons voel je je helemaal happy. Geniet van de laatste week en met de Kerst horen we uitgebreid je verhalen.
ReplyDeleteNog heeel veel plezier.
Liefs Pieter en José
to: robbie dwyer
ReplyDeletegroup: echo 3
from: william dwyer
alrite robbie!! loving the pics, there are some great ones of you up on the raleigh page, of you playing cricket, guitaring and digging holes!
i'm so pleased you've had such a good opportunity and that you've been loving it so much, so good to see. reminds me of when i was out there, and what a special time it was. i sent the link to craig and told him to share it with your nearest and dearest! lol
all's good in the uk, we've had so much snow, people were snowboarding the streets of sheff! i got 88% in a recent exam which is sweet!! can't wait for xmass :)
give me a shout if you want any tips when travelling on afterwards! pleased you're doing that, it's amazing!! the freedom feels so good!!! make sure you ask the taxi drivers to play lots of good india music when you're in them! it will be a memory you'll never forget! lol
take it easy, take care of yourself and see you soon
will
For Sterling Grey, Echo Four (I think!)
ReplyDeletePictures are amazing! I hope your experience has been as much as you hoped for...I am looking forward to hearing stories!
xo
Meredith
to Fiona Marchbank Tango six - hello, it's Sunday morning here 11th Dec, mince pies are made, cards written and today's job is to get the house ready for the tree. It was 'The Nutters' night out last night and as usual we had a fabulous time, Ian was on good form with his 'is it a joke or not' thing he does, Fiona's hair is growing back now, all lovely and wavey (and not a sign of grey!)she had pretty sparkly clips in it ...very festive and the food was great. We saw Craig, we was asking after you and sends his love. I think u must be coming to the end of India now, i hope ur safe and well and that it was all you hoped it would be. Can't wait to hear your voice. Love you Mum xx
ReplyDeleteEcho Three - Aimee Welch
ReplyDeleteHello Sweetheart
Can't believe that you'll be back at fieldbase for the final time very soon -looking forward to a well earned rest no doubt. Are you doing the run?
A few snippets to give you a reminder of Durham Road. Pippa is ill with a horrible cough and cold, but still going into school to finish her media coursework (like you she doesn't stop when something needs doing). I collected Max from Bournemouth on Saturday. He had another music video shoot yesterday, this time in a wood near Pinewood Studios - at least it was dry and not too cold. Guy, well, the same as ever! Daddy has had a very busy week with news stories - you've got a bit of catching up to do with current affairs at some point, but no hurry I'm sure.
Here is my news - I have finally started shopping at Tesco online (in fact I've just spent ages doing the Christmas order for next week, so I can take Aunty Wend present shopping when she arrives on Tuesday). Sounds such a small advance, but huge for me!!! We've had a few milder days but the snow is due to start again in a couple of days. Hope it doesn't stop Aunty Wend coming over - you know how bad weather brings everything to a halt!!
Looking forward to hearing from you........
Lots of love and hugs from us all xoxoxo