Field base welcomes the new project managers!

The volunteer project managers (VMs)have touched down in India. Yesterday morning Clare, Donks and Little Manju successfully picked up the volunteer managers from Bangalore airport after their 10 hour flight from London, happily all the bags made it too!

All our PMs at Bangalore airport

Smiley Sally

Lindsay through the gates with all her bags

Big smiles from Jon and Rachel even after a 10 hour flight

To help the VMs stay awake on the four hour bus ride to field base in Mysore, Clare and Donks treated them to a stop off for a traditional Indian breakfast. The restaurant also has a coffee shop next door which does some of the best coffee India has to offer (they also do the best chocolate cake in the world, but that’s another story). 

Indian Breakfast

Meanwhile back at field base, Andrew and I (Fletch) tried to put up the big Raleigh ‘Welcome’ sign for the arriving VMs. Andrew’s scout skills in knot tying came in handy as we tried to secure the massive sign against the wind, which had chosen that precise moment to pick up. Shakrapa, our onsite security guard, put us all to shame in the clear up of field base by the amount he could move on his head, all the time maintaining his ear-to-ear grin which he is constantly sporting.

Andrew showing off his scout skills

Shakrapa, effortlessly clearing up around field base

The bus arrived around twelve and everyone piled off to a big welcome from all here at field base. Julia gave out big hugs to all the sleepy new arrivals while the bags were unloaded from the bus. 

The bus arrives

Clare and Louise arriving in the Bravo 3

Sarah and Susan relieved to be off the bus

Welcome hugs from Julia

Andrew missed Donks even though she was only away over night. 

Sally one of our 5 week PMs

Lindsay and Susan getting to know our Logs man Tim

After the VMs settled their belongings into the staff dormitory it was time for tea and coffee in the dining room and a warm welcome from Mark, Julia and Jen and a little bit about what to expect from life on expedition. Most importantly it was also time for lunch!

After lunch I had to subject the VMs to a mug shot for their ID cards, I don’t think it was a popular move, but they also got a chance to find out the important things about field base like, where the chocolate is stored, how and when to get hot water and the chance to meet our resident toad Neville – I don’t think he was too sure about the increase in people as he's been keeping a low profile this morning. 

It’s the first full day of training today, but I’ll make sure to give you all another update on Friday to tell you about how everyone is getting on.  

Over and out from all here at field base, we'll be back soon.