Digging and the rain

Echo 4 in the forest

Moycey and I have just got back from visiting E4, E5 and C1 and there's been a great deal of digging going on in each group, but there's also been a fair bit of torrential rain to disrupt the proceedings. Fortunately the rain calmed down while we were there so the groups got a bit of a break from the wet and Moycey was able to get some good photos.

Pik and Avaneesh get sifting

E4 are working really hard on the ranger station and the plastering on the inside has now been completed. They've also been sifting sand for the cement through a giant, and quite flimsy, sieve and digging a hole for the septic tank.

We were treated to some fabulous food as the group decided to mark our arrival by having a cook off between two teams. One team made a couple of very impressive pizzas (they'd bought some fresh ingredients while on their day off the day before), using the facilities created by the previous Echo 4 group. I'm sure the ex Echo 4 lot will be pleased to know their oven is being put to good use! The second team made a gorgeous curry with some delicious rice and chappatis made from scratch. Although both teams' efforts were excellent, Team Curry won by a small margin after also being able to produce a pudding with left over chappatis and bananas. Ten out of ten for creativity!

Team Curry's creative efforts!

The next day we set off to Echo 5's site. The amount of rain had rendered the road too difficult for the jeep on previous days but we must have brought the sunshine as we managed to catch the group on a full day's work. They were digging a hole for the toilet block which meant soil had to be transferred from the hole to the other side of the elephant proof trench. The whole team had to set up a chain that involved some people (Ben, Charles and Holly) standing in the trench to pass the heavy buckets and then after they'd been emptied on the other side they were flung back over to the diggers, often covering everyone in the middle with mud!

Charles ready to catch the soil from Chloe

Ben and Shamnad watch the elephant

Our journey out of the forest that evening was filled with excitement as a lone bull elephant was standing by a waterhole near the road. There was no danger of being trampled so we were able to get out of the jeep and watch it for some time. Although the Echo groups see elephants fairly regularly, it makes a nice change to be able to see one so close and without any trees for it to hide behind. And it was certainly a special treat for us fieldbase staff.

That evening we were also treated to an amazing meal - a veggie version of an English breakfast - thanks to camp crafters of the day, Beth and Tony.

As it was Maddy's 19th birthday the next day they'd arranged a trip into Mysore to take a tour the silk factory, and as they left their camp, we also set off for our last group of the loop, Charlie 1.

The school in Multimoola is now covered in scaffolding - Indian-style - and the cement is drying on the roof, so while that is happening there has been lots of transporting stones and gravel, sifting sand, brick laying and unsurprisingly, lots more digging!

Luke puts the finishing touches to his mural

Luke has also put his creative talent to good use by painting one of the sides of the houses with a brilliant and colourful mural which really brightens up the village.

Charlie 1

The group's hard work was rewarded that evening as the village teacher invited us all round for pre-dinner snacks of hot plantain, boiled eggs and a selection of Indian sweets served with chai. The group were also able to catch up on some sports news as he treated us to a bit of TV! So it seems all groups are eating well and fieldbase staff are keen to get out to each group again. As that's our only loop trip this phase to the Echo groups and Charlie 1, we're hoping the trip to Charlie 2's tomorrow in Halsur will also live up to the our now very high food standards!

Here's some messages from the groups:
From Pik:

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes (including comments on the blog, SMS and birthday card by post, I received and read them all ready.) I had a great birthday here. I am now in Team Echo 4 and working in an environmental project which we have to renovate a 101 year old house to be a ranger station. I am camping in the project site which is located in a jungle and I had chance to see wild deer just in front of me! (May go to see elephant tomorrow if it is sunny). I got my new glasses finally so everything is fine now. Oh right now I really realise that I have no chance to lose weight here even though I am working really hard today, coz I eat way too much…. Miss you all!
To gangs in Nine Lives: I can’t stop laughing when reading the birthday card, thank you so much, whoever reads this please help me to pass this message to the others and please also help me to wish Queenie having a good show.
For Sammi Concert with all my regards thanks!!!
Xxx

Hi Dad, Nat & Alice,
Got your messages, sound like you’re having a wonderful time. It’s finally stopped raining in the forest which is good! Am still having a lovely time, but am looking forward to Goa more and more! I can’t believe Alice is sitting up already, she’s going to be huge when I see her next! Can’t wait! What was the name of the town we stayed in Goa? Calangute? I’m becoming a little dubious about my lack of planning, but oh well, will just see what happens. Also got what I’ve assumed is a birthday card from you but am saving it for the 19th so thank you for that too!
Anyway love you all and see you in December
India xxx

Mum
Are you ignoring me?!
Not cool woman!
Hope you’re ok,
Love you India
Xxx

Hi Mum, Dad, Matt, Jodie, Ben & J-Dogg,
In the middle of Bandipur forest I have yet to see an elephant or tiger however I have plans to attract them to the campsite. Its been raining lots here however we finally have sun, time to get some washing done! Got stung by caterpillar of death but alls well. I also got Granny’s letter, parents you seem to be slacking in this department. Having a great time, hope you’re all well.

Matt, Jodie, Ben & James,
I’m alive and miss you a little but then the thought passes as I turn my attention to ants or butterflys.
See you in December
Love Emma xxx

From Ben
Daddio, Mumbly, Danger Dan & Monkey, Gregor, Calco, Nannybears, Colleen & Yvan, Barbara & Co, Valerie & Grandad, David & Liz
All good here – writing this from my “basha” – hand-made from bamboo, string and material. Yep, Echo 5 now. We are in Bandipur National Park digging an elephant proof trench around an anti-poaching camp. We take a jeep in everyday that takes about half an hour passing deer and occasionally elephants in the distance. Today we got out the jeep to take a good look at one a few hundred metres away. Hope you had a good birthday Dan and enjoyed Glasgow. Dad! Rowing lessons – nice one – anything to do with Colin per chance? Mum – glad the bangers and mash was tasty – we ate an Indian dish cooked by the Indian guys (Shamnad and Tony) that had the consistency of mash. Cal – internship sounds like its going well – hope so, hit me with it on my return. Greg – hope all’s good beastman.
Love to all
Ben x
PS Mum, those tiny scissors are tosh but the sarong is sterling

From James:

The Gurneys
We are having an amazing time in Mutilmoola – helping to build a school and toilet facilities for the tribal community. Some of the digging, carrying and sieving has been quite tiresome but seeing the impact we are making is really rewarding. We have also enjoyed days out to Sultan Bathery, the CTRD Trust and a tea factory. The weather has been quite moist but escapades like a massive mud fight have kept spirits high. Happy Birthday to Tom, Dad & Lucy. Thank you for your letters – I received the ones from you and granny today.
Lots of Love
James x

The Crocketts
M,D & S
Big hello from Mutilmoola! We are having an amazing time helping to build a school, which involves a lot of hole digging, sifting sand & moving bricks. The community is brilliant (especially the kids!). Hope you are all ok, miss you lots.
Love from Philipa xxx

To James
Here is your own personal blog! Got your letter today which was nice, thank you. Its been very rainy the last few days, we’ve had mud fights, hair washing sessions in the rain, our house was flooded! But luckily the rain went yesterday. The children here are adorable, I love seeing them all the time and they help us with the work which is cute. Hope you’re having enough days off, Mum said you’re working too hard.
Love you loads
Georgie Page xxxx

To Mum, Dad, Charlie & Abbie,
I got the package today which was amazing, thank you so much. Please also thank Nikki for her package and say hi to Alice & Joy and the Canadian Pages thank you. The kids here are awesome, they are always so happy and love spending time with us. Arun (10 years old) was looking at a pic of us three and thought Abbre was me! Says we are “double Georgie”! Glad Rome was great, over half way now, is going so quick.
Lots of love to you all and everyone at home who reads this.
Georgie Page xxxxx

Dear Hamiltons (and Malcolmsons!)
Thank you thank you for my package! I got very excited when I received it – all the way out here is our little village Mutilmoola. Very sad that I missed you (Liz & Dave) at fieldbase if that’s where you dropped the package off. Hope you are enjoying India. I love it. Hi to Rors, Ali & the dogs too. Looking forward to seeing you at Christmas, lots of love
Amy xx

Dad, Mothership & Sara B,
Hope you are all good. Its great here. I’m playing loads of cricket with the kids and learning loads about Indian culture. Letters on their way to Goftdown and Jagerslaan, hope you get them! First 20/20 today, I wonder how the boys did… my hopes aren’t high. Makhayas on fire!!! Let me know about how the trials are going & if Ferds hears anything about Middlesex.
Lots of love, can’t wait to see you all!
Tor xxx

Hej Allesammen
Elsker det stadig herude, er paa community phase. Bygger skole og leger med boernene. Massere af regn men stadig massere af sjou. Besoegte en the fabrik forleden. Haaber i har faaet mit breu fra phase 1. Jeg kan chekke internet paa mandag nok saa sender lige en mal.
Savner jer alle meget, haaber i har det godt!
KH Morten

Hi Mam
Got your letter and postcards on the loop. The photo of us all was great and all the villagers were fascinated by it. Having a great time this phase, different to the jungle, the work’s just as hard though, but just as rewarding. Time’s going so quick, can’t believe we’re half way through already. Hope everything’s ok your end and work’s fine. Marie – great to hear from you. The beards still coming along nicely and even letting the hair get longer. Work sounds stressful but at least you’ve got a nice trip to Oz coming up. Haven’t heard from Dad for a while so let him know I’m still alive when you see him. Wedding plans sound all good – looking forward to hearing all about it when I’m home.
Love to all of you.
Luke x

From Neil:
Lots of jungle love to my Dad for November 18th, happy birthday! x