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



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



Monday 31 October 2011

New faces and ending phases...


Hannah and I have just got back from visiting Charlie 2 and Echo 3 and finding out what they’ve been up to. It was great to see the groups and see how they’re all doing.
We’ve also got a few new faces around Fieldbase, of both the human and cow variety!

Emma and Lucy arrived on Sunday and they’ll be joining the groups for Phase 2 and 3. After a good night’s sleep they’ve settled into Fieldbase and are being brought up to speed on all the training they’ll need on expedition.
We’ve also been joined by another PM, Ali Parry, who will be going on both treks in Phase 2 and 3. Ali is also part of the Borneo massive and has led three treks over there and can’t wait to get out into the Indian jungle!
Oh, and Majie has had her baby calf! Who is incredibly cute and we’re sure will be a big hit with the venturers when they return.
Welcome to Ali, Emma and Lucy 
Our new arrival! 

Apart from welcoming our new faces, we’re all running around Fieldbase and getting it ready for change-over. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone and finding out how the last few days of their projects have been.

So back to Charlie 2 and Echo 3.

Hannah and I drove to Tamil Nadu to visit Charlie 2 on their community phase. They’ve been working in Mangode for the past couple of weeks, which is a beautiful village on the borders of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It’s nestled on the side of a mountain, surrounded by coconut and banana trees, and lots of tea plantations. The families who live in the village are all tribal, with a lot of them relocating from Sri Lanka. The village is very poor, with the majority of the families living in mud huts. What they lack in wealth, however, they certainly make up with in smiles and it was lovely to see how the community had welcomed Charlie 2 into their village.

Despite being slowed down by lots of rain earlier on in their phase, Charlie 2 had done really well with their project and we arrived just in time to help them finish their last biogas hole. So, with work gloves on and mampti' (Indian spades) primed, we got stuck in and helped to finish their last ‘hell hole’! Luckily, we arrived a couple of days after Diwali, so were treated to lots of leftover sweets, as well as chai, which definitely helped fuel our digging!
Charlie 2 with the family they're staying with 
Fun in the hole! Getting ready for filming their music video! 
A cow shed with a view

One of the perks of the community phase is that you get cooked for by the local community, so after a morning of chai and sweets it was back to the campsite for a delicious home-cooked curry. Apparently,   spice levels in the food have been increasing during Charlie 2’s stay in Mangode, but so was everyone’s tolerance and I was amazed how easily everyone dealt with the spice (I was quietly crying over a rather large chilli in the corner!) After lunch, PMs Sian and Kath, took us on a tour of the village and then it was back in the hole to finish it off. Sadly we had to leave early doors the next day to head off to Echo 3, so we waved goodbye and jumped back in the Bravo.

We had a long and beautiful journey to Echo 3. We were lucky enough to see a family of wild elephants having a wash and playing in the river which was amazing and certainly made the hours of sitting in the Bravo worth it!

We arrived at Echo 3 around 5ish, so just had enough time before dark to see the beautiful scenery surrounding their campsite. As I’m sure you’re all aware from previous blogs, Echo 3’s campsite is right on the edge of a stunning reservoir. The environment was very different from Charlie 2’s and, although there were still a lot of banana and coconut trees around, everything was a lot flatter, with soft, rolling hills surrounding us. Being right next to such a large expanse of water also added an element of serenity to the area and I found it a very relaxing and calming place to be.
Echo 3 showing off their digging muscles!
Chilling at camp

We got to camp just as Echo 3 was chilling out and it was lovely to see them as a group enjoying their down time. We bumped into Charlie and Jake just as they were finishing painting the local school and they gave us a quick tour of the village - Gandathur.
Some of the lovely paintings done by Echo 3 at their local school 

Back at the campsite, the cooks were preparing a rather unique, but nontheless delicious supper of boiled eggs and potatoes. As the rain set in, we all bundled off to bed, ready for a 6pm start in the morning. Waking up to see sunrise over the reservoir was amazing, and the group headed down to the bank for a couple of early morning energisers. At 7.30am it was off to work to finish their fourth (and final) biogas hole.
An early morning energiser
The last hole! 

Gemma and Shafeeque kindly gave us a tour of the other three biogas holes the group had been working on and introduced us to the families who would be using them when they’re finished. Sadly, we had to leave Echo 3 early so we waved them goodbye and headed back to Fieldbase.

Back at Fieldbase the preparations for everyone coming back are in full swing. The venturers and PMs find out their new groups and projects on Wednesday and, as ever, I’ll be updating the blog with where everyone’s going for their next adventure! 

32 comments:

  1. lieve esmee (charlie 2)

    Gisteren terug gekomen van een aantal dagen Marrakech . Lieke en ik hebben het super gehad . Veel gedaan en te veel gekocht . Het was toch weer raar om thuis te komen . Lekker de verhalen aan papa vertellen , maar we hadden het ook zo graag, gelijk, aan jou willen vertellen . Op dat moment miste ik je heel erg . Ik hoop dan ook dat je snel weer in de gelegenheid bent om te bellen. Ik ben benieuwd, wat het komende projekt gaat worden. Ik ga vandaag een brief schrijven over onze belevenissen . dikke kus mama

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  2. lieve esmee (charlie 2)
    Gisteren terug gekomen van een aantal dagen Marrakech . Lieke en ik hebben het super gehad . Veel gedaan en te veel gekocht . Het was toch weer raar om thuis te komen . Lekker de verhalen aan papa vertellen , maar we hadden het ook zo graag, gelijk, aan jou willen vertellen . Op dat moment miste ik je heel erg . Ik hoop dan ook dat je snel weer in de gelegenheid bent om te bellen. Ik ben benieuwd, wat het komende projekt gaat worden. Ik ga vandaag een brief schrijven over onze belevenissen . dikke kus mama

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  3. To Julie SCHEER:

    Lieve lieve Juul,

    Wat ongelooflijk leuk, dat ik zomaar alle foto's
    van jou en je groep kan bekijken op mijn laptop.
    Mam, Lupo en je grootmoeder zitten gezellig aan
    de thee met lekkere chocolaatjes.Als ik 's-morgens mijn keukenkastje open, dan lachen de
    Wilhelmina pepermuntjes me toe, waar jij altijd
    zo dol op bent! Hier in Den Haag heeft de Hindoe-gemeenschap het wereldwijde religieuze
    Hindoe feest "Divali"gevierd op het spuiplein
    samen met de burgemeester. In den haag wonen
    50.000 Hindoes, waarvan mijn werkster er een is,
    Zij vertelde dat je dan 3 dagen van tevoren geen
    vlees, vis mag eten en het hele huis schoongemaakt moet worden. Heb jij daar iets van gemerkt????? Bovendien worden dan de heerlijkste lekkernijen bereid.
    Lieve schat heel veel liefs en dikke kussen van
    je moeder, lupo en Ap!!!!!!

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  4. To Anne, Tango 5

    Hee lieve an!
    Had ik net een heeeel lang bericht geschreven, wil ik leuk eindigen met een uitroeptekentje op z'n kop zoals de Spanjaarden dat doen, en klik ik natuurlijk op een verkeerd knopje waardoor mijn hele bericht verloren gaat! Menn o menn, wat een 'faal van aal' (ook al moet ik dat natuurlijk echt NIET zeggen, maar dit vroeg erom ;p).
    Anyways, ik schreef dat het wel een beetje eenzijdig is, deze berichtjes schrijven zonder te weten of je ze uberhaupt wel krijgt (dat neem ik maar aan).. maakt een geprek voeren wel een beetje lastig. Want ik mis de gekke/lieve/leuke gesprekjes op skype met mijn lieve amiga!
    Vanavond is het Halloween, sinds een paar jaar ook een officiele feestdag in Spanje, dus alle Spanjaarden gaan al het hele weekend crazy, het is erg grappig. En ik zit hier natuurlijk met allemaal Amerikanen dus ik word er ook helemaal in meegesleept, heb er echt zin in vanavond! Ik heb een hele rare outfit: Een héle roze pruik (echt heeeel roze, nog veel rozer dan het haar van mijn nichtje ;p) en ik heb vleugels en een waaier als toverstokje, ik ben een Fairy vanavond! Ik zal mijn cameratje meenemen zodat ik lekker veel fotos kan maken die jij dan later kan bekijken, ik wil je toch die mogelijkheid om me keihard uit te lachen niet afnemen ;)
    Hoop dat alles goed met je gaat, vanavond zal ik speciaal wat van mijn Fairydust richting India blazen om jouw geluk/gezondheid/gezelligheid te brengen, hopelijk gaat het zijn werk doen! Oei en nu moet ik toch wel heel snel naar mijn lesje, ben een beetje laat, oepsie!
    (ik ga nu dus niet eindigen met een opzijnkoppe-uitroepteken dus denk die er zelf maar bij ;p)
    Hasta luego amiga, muchos besos! xxxox

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  5. Harri bailey tango 5.Hi Harri, nearly at the end of your treking,by the time you get this you will be back at base camp i expect. Hope all's well and you are ok , longing to hear from you to hear of your adventures.I log on every day to keep up with your exploits ! the photos are great but you didn't look too happy in one of them, i expect the treking was hard work. Miss you loads,take great care of yourself,love you lots Mum xxxx

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  6. Mary Elliott Farrell31 October 2011 at 23:30

    For Lucy Coleman: Hi Lucy! We were all thrilled to see your smiling face on the blog! I am sure that you are tired but glad to finally be in India. We can't wait to read about everything you will be doing. Send us a postcard if you can.
    Tonight is Halloween---Stuart and I carved our pumpkins and Pete is excited to wear his hotdog costume. We will be sure to take pictures for you. I hope you have an amazing time--remember to take lots of pictures! xoxox, Mary Elliott

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  7. For Anna Roberts (Charlie 1),
    Hey Anna, hope you're keeping well. Your mum has been keeping you up to date on what you're doing.
    Just thought I'd message to say that we went out for Halloween as KISS, your mum is going to sort out a pic to send you, I hope you like our outfits.
    James, Linni, Daisy and myself can't wait for you to get back.
    Ross :)

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  8. To Roz Hodson - Charlie 2

    Good to see the photos, enjoy your last couple of days.

    Looking forward to hearing all about it!

    Lots and lots of love xxxxxxxx :-)

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  9. Zoe Charlie 2

    Hi there Zo, just read the up to date blog and it looks amazing can't wait to hear all about it. Everyone is fine here and misses you lots. Sent you a letter today just me rambling on lol. Well you gave me a huge surprise at the dance show it was lovely and not a dry eye in the house. I sobbed!!!! You were fab as always. The show was super and you wre missed. Anyway Zo enjoy and stay safe. Love you sooo much, Mum xxxxx

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  10. To Daniel rose
    Great to see a bit of muscle on you finally eh haha, your such a joker. Missing you terribly, its all cold here now and getting dark so fast, soak as much of the sun as you can. I love you so much, take care out there.
    Love Robyn lammiman xxx

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  11. Gemma echo 3

    Hi Gemma Glad to see that you have actually got on some photo's and that you have finished your first phase. thanks for the comment it was really great to hear from you. two short lines just about right for you but told us all we needed to know. we are all the same here and we are waiting to see what you get for your next phase. we hope that you are really enjoying india and look forward to seeing you in december.
    lots of love Mum and Dad and Sam

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  12. gemma echo 3
    hey up hows things going over there, hope your having fun, and learning lots, things are alot quieter here which is peaceful lol.
    Enjoy urself and will speak soon dave x

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  13. For Sterre Kruize at Charlie 2

    Lief Sterretje, wat een leuke foto's en wat een indrukwekkend gebeuren. Dat jullie het leven van die mensen veranderd hebben is toch geweldig! Ik houd het zelfs niet droog bij dit soort verhalen. Mooie foto's daar in die 'hell hole'. Morgen bellen we weer, ik verheug me er op.

    Dikke kus, mam

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  14. this is a message for Amelia Ayliffe:

    Meem I was so surprised when I saw that you posted on my wall. Thought you were in the middle of nowhere with no electricity! It will be so much fun when you're back, we have to make up for all the things you've missed and just go mental (as in like first time we went to Borderline hahaha) I read the letter you wrote your mum and dad and it make me laugh as you kept talking about your digestion. Lish would have loved it.

    Your dad then asked me who little Chris was as he probably thought it was someone really hot and cute. And your mum also told me that your dad went to your room the other day and cuddled with a unicorn called Misty. He must miss you very much.

    Here are some celeb news: Giuliana (the skinny woman from E!) has breast cancer, Adele is going to have throat surgery soon, x factor is becoming more and more ridiculous (Kelly Rowland wasn't even in last weeks show due to a throat infection and Alexandra Burke replaced her as a judge) and Kim Kardashian (aka you) filed for divorce after being married for 2 months.

    Hope everything's okay with you and can not wait for you to come back! Miss you sausage and keep eating really spicy food!

    xxx Joy

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  15. For Anna (Charlie 1)
    Will sent the new tickets asap, may send them twice, just in case one letter gets lost. Also will send the extended travel insurance details when I get them from TJL. Hope you enjoy your 2nd project, look forward to reading all about it. Think I ought be be a travel agent.....considering the things I've managed to do this morning. Be happy and have fun.
    Love you very much, take care....Mum & Dad xxxxx
    PS don't forget you can stow your trekking poles without taking your rucksack off, thats what the loops are for on your left hand side.

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  16. Mark Potter van Loon1 November 2011 at 21:35

    For Albertine Potter van Loon Echo 1
    Hoi lieverd, twee vluchten omgeboekt. Je vliegt terug op 24 december vanaf chennai naar Londen en door naar Amsterdam. Heb boek besteld. Leuke, spannende plannen! Namens de dames van British airways: zeg duidelijk in Chennai dat je baggage door moet naar Amsterdam! Je booking references zijn hetzelfde: Chennai - London: 38BVAY en London - Amsterdam: 4IRRIV. Je hebt ruim tijd tussen de vluchten omdat 24-12 de drukste vliegdag van het jaar is. Ik kreeg je net niet te pakken via mobiel of sms, dus wellicht is dat wel gelukt als je dit leest, dan is het dubbel, maar dat is niet erg! Heel veel plezier in fase 2, wat het ook is! We sturen een exacte kopie van dit bericht naar je g-mail, dan heb je de gegevens extra veilig! Liefs en knuffels, pappie en mammie

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  17. Claire van Doeveren Tango 5
    Welkom terug op de fieldbase! Hoop dat je even bij kan komen van alles en dan weer op naar het volgende project. Bedankt voor je mail, zo fijn om van je te horen, hoe je het e.e.a. ervaren hebt. Wat een geweldige ervaring die je op doet en wat zal thuis alles luxe zijn....We zijn trots op jou! Hier alles goed, papa is in Quito voor een week. Niki is druk met haar tentamens en Jasmijn houdt het goed vol in Groningen! Het is hier prachtige herfstweer. liefs van ons allemaal en een knuffel van Donna xxxx

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  18. Gemma - Echo 3

    Hi Gem
    A huge thank you for the card and pressies, they were brilliant. Had a really good day, took half days holiday and Dad & I went to pictures, then for a carvery.
    Looking forward to seeing more pics and update about your first project and finding out about your next one. Really good to see you in some photos, looks like you're having a fab time out there. Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care, lots of love. XXXX

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  19. Hallo Lukas (Echo 3), ich habe heute morgen schon alles gelesen und habe gesehen, in welchem Projekt du jetzt bist. Innerhalb deiner Gruppe sind nun auch andere Mitglieder, oder? Ich hoffe du hast auch in diesem Camp eine tolle Zeit, was ich so gelesen habe von dem ersten Echo 3 hört sich das auch alles ganz spannend an. Bleib schön gesund, ich habe gelesen, das einige schon immodiium gebraucht haben. Liebe gruesse von Mama, Philipp und Papa und wie immer ein dicker Kuss von Mama

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  20. Hi Gemma Bennett
    Looks like you are having a wonderfull time,good to see all the pics looks like a great experiance you will rem for the rest of your life..proud of you..

    claire..from essex

    xx

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  21. Hoi Esmee,
    Ik ga het maar weer eens proberen,
    Wat leuk zeg al die foto's,
    zo te zien heb je het reuze naar je zin!
    Geniet er goed van, voor je het weet zit je
    weer in het vliegtuig terug naar huis.
    Nou meid, heel veel groetjes van tante Nel en ome Ab xxxx

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  22. Hello Jennifer now Charlie 1 was Echo 3. Lovely picture of you with the red scarf on and having your hand painted by your local friend. Following your activities every day you look so happy. I love your paintings on your school wall . Thinking of you always with masses of love, Mummy Codd and Sarah

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  23. Hi Kate (Charlie 1)
    Thanks for the email. It is great following your adventure and hard work, it does brighten the autumn day. Everything is fine here, Nanny is okay and Granddad is doing fine. Graham is home and concentrating on putting weight on. Amy seems fine and following you with lots of interest. The kiln has now been moved over to the new workshop and hopefully will be working again very soon.
    Love you tonnes
    XXXX
    Love

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  24. Tango 5
    Lis Marshall

    hiya love its bernie hope u ok, oh my god im missing u soooo much i actully need u in my life 100% xxx robyn not well so im sat in on my todd was suppose to b going pub wiv everyone n she been crying all day so thought il get her ready c how she is n she went bed bout 6 n its now 7.30 n she stil zzzz im glad cas these stupid fireworx r wiping me i feel to get them and shove them up who evers arse is letting them of , its just rediculios the amount of unesisery noise they make, we had nice holiday thanx for my fbk msg i love u babe mwah xxx sorry not been on here i just dont get a min to my bloody self she crawling allover now and climbing up everywhere and walking on her own wiv one of them walkers u push she thinks shes so clever, and wen ur eting or if she hears u open anything lisa ANYTHING shes over like a shot she crwls really fast comes straight over n if wat ever ur eating is hanging out ur mouth she just takes if of u n puts it straight in hers and if she carnt c it but sees u chewing she opens her mouth n trys snogging u haha she so funny, she misses her auny lisa so much xxxx will write again soon but promise not to stalk u love u loads xxxxx oh and guess wat i found my letter i asked jony to post !!!!! so i will hand post it tmz xxxxxxx

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  25. Don & Sue Reeves-French6 November 2011 at 17:38

    For Robyn Brooks Tango 6 or Charlie 1

    Hi Bob... Hope you enjoyed the first half, we've downloaded lots of the posted photos... mum tells us that you're doing the 'long drop' next, that'll be nice for you!! I'm sure we'll find you something for Christmas in Las Vegas (maybe that shop!!) Take care we'll see you soon lots of love G.Mamma & G.Daddy

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  26. Matt Bell - now Charlie 2

    Hi Matt,

    It's good to see you looking so well. Loads of people are asking after you, and it's quiet and tidy here without you! Fireworks with the scouts last night, the women in the kitchen send their love - Linda, Carol etc, they thought Operation Raliegh meant being on a big boat, and when I said you were in India, they thought you'd sailed there! Keep well, enjoy it, and take lots of photos. You are our screen saver!! Love Mum x

    heyyy matt; katie here ;)
    hopefully your having fun! the photos look good and remember to have lots of fun because you'll never forget it! i had an interview for radio jackie and told them what you were doing, then that nutty media teacher of mine said she'd love to interview you when you get back :) i've been offered a place for bedfordshire uni and all the others said they'll let me know soon. its quite lonely being a single child! and dont forget to bring me back that elephant i asked for. and if you do the turtle thingy, i want one of those too for nala. cheers. love you lots! katie xoxox

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  27. Charlie 1
    Lucy Coleman
    Hi poooopsieeee! I've been looking for you in the pictures for the past few days and I finally realized what group you're in and I can write to you now!! You look so happy Luchyy and that makes me so glad! All the people there look super nice and I'm sure you're already making yourself at home. I miss you so much, and I miss talking to you every day too. I'm trying to keep up with new things that you're doing through your blog, but I can't wait until I get to hear about them from you!! Take loads of pics with your disposable camera hehe, I love you pooopsie and I'm really praying everyday that you're safe and that you're having the time of your life.
    Your best friend,
    Mariana

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  28. Gary (dad) Holmes7 November 2011 at 13:10

    Hi Kate (Charlie 1)
    I haven't seen my last comment posted (maybe I did something wrong)so don't think I've not sent you a message! I've been keeping up with your exploits each day and have kept a copy of the photo of you dressed in the sari (you look fantastic).
    I can't believe that you're already half way through your adventure, I'll be picking you up from Manchester before you know it.Just enjoy every minute and absorb all you experience.

    Curry for Christmas dinner?

    Lots of love from dad xxx

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  29. Lavinia in Echo 3. De sari staat je prachtig! Ik heb uitgebreid gemaild dus dat zul je vandaag of morgen wel lezen. Drukke voorbereidingen voor feestje Hélène,zullen je zeer missen. Veel liefs,ook van de zich steeds minder krabbende Boeps en van Boris. Zoen van Pappie

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  30. tango 5

    lisa mrshall

    hiya babe , i really wish icould phone u right now id love a lisa chat xx i bought ur xmas pressy today i cnt wait to c u i probly giv it u early im that excited to c u , oh my god it is freezing in manny bet u got lovely tan ur jos suppose to b goig purple i said do it but ur david saying no , ur bk in 4 wks and its dragging just hope ur enjoying urself cas u deserve it babe, anyway just a quick tx n il write bk soon love u loads & loads xxxxxx

    bernie & robyn xxxxxxx

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  31. Amelia Ayliffe, Tango 5

    heyyy it's anna, i accidentally logged onto skype today, and your name is at the top :( (it was an accident that i went on, i have no need to go on on purpose seeing as you are my only friend)
    today is my laundry day, so i went to my lecture and seminar in trackies and hoodie and it happened to come on the same day as hair washing night- so my hair was practically dripping, literally even you would be disgusted.
    saw a hot photo of you in those trouser things you have, so funny, you better keep all of your india clothes for clubbing when you're back :)
    i'm going to steffy's for dinner tomorrow and we're having fahitas, did i already blog that? and then pod's visiting this weekend so i'll probably see all the woodhouse lot that are here in leeds. i don't actually see them that much tbh, so busy all the time! supermarket trips are like a full day activity! and don't even get me started on uni essays BLURGHHH hahaha.
    COME HOME SOON PLEASE, i'm having to rely on other people to talk to and it's not the same i want my best friend in this country!!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  32. For Lucy Coleman in Charlie 1,

    I miss you!!! and I am so glad you're helping others! I'm jealous of you going to India :P Have fun and learn lots of exciting things <3
    I love you!!!

    Love always,
    Greta! <3

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