Message from Fieldbase

Project Manager, Suzanne Leamy has been spending Phase Three at Fieldbase to assist with the plans for End of Expedition, review the staff induction programme and project planning with Country Director, Gavin Shelton.

Here is an introduction to the events that will be taking place next week once the Venturers return.

Fieldbase – Phase Three
By Suzanne Leamy

Flares of excitement and moments of melancholy have been hitting Field Base as we await the inevitable end of expedition. Anticipation, exhilaration and eagerness are running through the veins of Field Base staff as we are frantically preparing for the venturers return so we can kick off all the activities that have been feverishly planned.

The Alpha groups will be rocking up to the base at approximately 10am on Wednesday 16th to collect some of their valuables and to off load all their kit from phase. They are then going on an adventure to the metropolis of Mysore with the Project Manager team to see some sights and go souvenir shopping, to make their back packs even heavier than when they first arrived – if that’s possible!

Over the next few days we will have challenge events, the expedition slide show, barbeques and the ever popular skits!

Friday night to end it all we are throwing a masquerade ball which all of the staff team have been busy with - eagerly preparing what outfits to wear and what kind of mask we are going to produce for the night. Our evenings have been hectic and last night Photographer Brian and DPM Tim Berriman joined the girls in pampering themselves by applying face masks – trying to make miracle improvements to trek worn man type hairy faces that I’m not even convinced Merlyn the magician could perform.

As a Project Manager for the previous two phases on the Environmental Project in Nagarahole National Park I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work in Field Base on this phase and see how much planning and hard work goes in by all the staff in here to ensure that we have a successful, enjoyable and fun expedition here in the enchanting country of India. All that’s left now is for everyone to come back together for one last time. I’m pretty sure there will be lots of tears as we say goodbye to newly made friends but I’ll leave you with an Irish quote that sums what will happen when it’s all over:

‘Is milis dá ól é ach is searbh dá íoc é” (It’s sweet to drink but bitter to pay for)