Pizza Trexpress

Claire and I were lucky enough to venture down to Kerala this week to join Tango Six for a spot of trekking.  Out of all the groups we've visited, Tango Six were the last group I expected to be serving up pizza for dinner!  Armed with some flour, tomato puree, a tin of cheese (don't knock it til you've tried it!), a couple of onions and tomatoes, the group rustled up no less than ten pizzas which they cooked on an open fire in true rustic style.

Pip - aka Delia Smith

Tango 6's own Jamie Oliver!

The following morning with the additional armour of leech socks, we headed off early in thick mist to start a day of steep hill climbing.

As always the pay-off was the spectacular views across Kerala before we descended through plantations and farms to the village of Shantampara where we spent the afternoon and evening camping beside the church.  Dinner that night consisted of cauliflower and green bean curry and was made even more delicious by the addition of parotha made by Leti and Colin in a nearby restaurant. 

  Tango Six enjoying a brief rest before the descent to Shantampara

After another early start and a stop off in the village for a second breakfast (yep more food!), we began a long 9hr day of trekking. 

Tina, Maddy, Pip and Alain start the climb!

Starting in the village we headed up through cardoman plantations where we had to walk in silence due to the earlier sighting of elephants.  We eventually emerged at the top of a hill which overlooked our evening's destination of Lakeside.  Due to high water levels however our route had to be changed and we walked an extra 8k around the lake through several villages to reach our campsite just before dark.

Baz stops to admire the view

The group enjoyed some well earned time off the following morning but still got up at 5.30am in the hope of seeing elephants drinking by the lake.  There's no doubt this group has got stamina; as Claire and I left them (slightly stiffer and decorated with leech bites), Tango Six were unfazed by the three days of climbing ahead of them.  Their main concern was what was in their food drop at their next camp! 

Well done and thank you Tango Six for your hospitality and some of the best expedition food ever!  Here's some messages from them to you....
Rob, we've got 4 days left trekking and it has been hard work but amazing.  Here are a few things that have happened: leeches, mountains, pain, sunburn, dogs with rabies - I will write you aletter to fill you in with the rest.  Anyway hope things are okay at home - say hi to Jim and Matt - miss you and love you lots, Pip xxxx
M & D & S Crockett, Justa quick note to let you know I'm still alive and having a great time!  Will write a letter when I have a minute.  Hope everything's okay at home, missing you all.  Lots of love from Booey xxxx
Hi to everyone back home in Chorley! For the first phase I'm part of Tango Six (one of the trekking groups) so far we've walked 150km and kayaked for 2 days.  The views have been amazing but I have not been able to shower since the start resulting in a very smelly Maddy.  I'm enjoying the many stops we make in villages for local food but I am definitely craving a Jope Hall's pie.  Will write a letter at changeover and fill you in properly - love to all, Maddy xx
The Gurneys, Hope everything is okay with you back in the homeland and that the warriors are dominating the premiership (I haven't seen any results).  We have now completed approx. 150km of our 200km trek and kayak and except for a few escapades with King Cobras (unconfirmed!), a raging bull, 2 rabied dogs, a bear and a plethora of leeches (5 on 1 foot today before 9am!) everything is hunky dorey.  Will write a letter at end of trek in 4 days.  Lots of love, James x