The Sound of Silence

After two jam-packed days of stories, photos, laughter, energy, project allocations, fun and games, an air of sadness has fallen over Fieldbase as we waved off the last bus of venturers at around 9am this morning.

 Andrea and Charlie say goodbye

Second phase of the expedition will run until 23rd November, and during this period we will, as always, be updating you on the project developments and the progress of the trekkers.  The new groups were announced yesterday lunchtime and so without further ado here's the new Phase Two 09J line-up (add your own drum roll here):

Charlie 1 - Multilmoola Village Community Project
The venturers accompanying PMs Charlie and Amy to continue the building of the school are: Tor, Morten, Luke, Georgie (Page), James (Gurney), Boops, Anthony, Louis, John Paul and Philippa.  Mutley from the Logs Team at Fieldbase will also be joining them for the first half of the phase.

Charlie 2 - Halsur Sustainable Agriculture
Heading up this new project are PMs Helen and Mili together with the following venturers: Chris, Tina, Georgie (Webb), John (Springate), Nicola, Alain, Michael, Christina, Jamie (Green), Aravind and Shyam.

Vijay bids farewell to Shyam

Echo 4 - Bandipur Ranger's Station
PMs Katie, Neil and Jeff are being joined by the following group to finish renovating the Ranger's Station and improving the Elephant Proof Trench: Sam, Daniel, Colin, Baz, Adam, Emma, Pik, John (Emmerson), Vinay, India and Avaneesh.

Echo 4 load their food barrels onto the bus

Echo 5 - Anti-poaching Camp and Firelines
In new accommodation but continuing the excellent work from phase one are PMs Leti and Miriam joined by: Charles, Chloe, Maddy, Holly, Beth, Lee, Kit, Ben, Shamnad, Thomas and Tony.

Tango 7 - Adventure in Kerala - Trekking then Rafting
Leading the following group of venturers are PMs Frankie and David with new edition to the PM team, our very own Logistics Manager Andrea: Amy, Claire, Bill, Laura, Nanette, David, James (Eyles), Matt, Rahman, Toby and Prajeesh.

David, Rahman, Matt and Claire

New editions to the Fieldbase Team

As we wave Mili off to Charlie 2, we are more than excited to be joined by the lovely Davina as the new Fieldbase medic.  Fresh from trekking in Kerala with Tango 6, we're sure her energy and amazing selection of colourful 'Happy Pants' (trousers as opposed to underwear) will fuel us all into action again.

As Andrea and Mutley are both out on project this phase we are lucky enough to be joined by Kate who will be handling all the logistics in their absence.  We are slightly concerned that Kate's unhealthy obsession with Bourbon biscuits may lead to a food shortage situation in Phase Three if she is left alone in the food store for long periods of time.



Left: Kate caught on security camera entering the Logs Store.....nice try Kate!

New Fieldbase medic, Davina

Venturer Hellos and Goodbyes
For the past four days, the girls at fieldbase were joined by four new venturers who have joined us for Phases Two and Three of the expedition. Jamie Green from New York City, Thomas Cornelis from the Netherlands and Anthony Wilson and Toby Drax from the UK kept us entertained until the groups returned back on Tuesday.  We hope they have as much fun on their first phase as all the other venturers did.

Left to right: Jamie, Anthony, Toby and Thomas

Jamie, Anthony and Thomas are joined by Rahman at Mysore Palace

Sadly we said goodbye to one of our Explorer Venturers Charlie Elgy this morning.  Charlie spent his phase in Multimoola working on the school building and will be missed by us all but especially the other members of Charlie 1.  Keep in touch Charlie!

Finally, here are a last few messages from those who headed off today.

Message from Charlotte Ali
Mum I am alright, back on the bus to Multilmoola.  Keep watching the blog.  Family still doing you proud - love you all, hugs and kisses to everyone.  Gareth and Louise let me know the outcome, send me a scan photo. Twin sister of mine - How ya doing crazy horse?  Hope the new job's going well, bet you got all those fit doctors to look at.  You can tell me all about it when I am back.  Miss you loads sis!  Doing you proud!!  Love and miss you!  Charl xx  Dad pull your finger out and send me a message ;o)

Hi Guys, had an AMAZING phase - pretty sad about leaving my current group but one of the most fun guys is in my group again (yes I mean you Chris...).  I think I got lucky in my group again though, everyone seems cool.  Sent a slightly longer update to Darndy so get her to pass it on to you - it's an interesting tale involving tigers and cobra.  Tai - I've got someone sorting me out a sim, but he couldn't get it done in time - hope you're enjoying yourself.  Lots of love Mike x

Hey Holly Winslip.  I'm sorry that it has taken so long to reply, I didn't read your message on the blog until yesterday.  It was really great to hear from you.  I'm now part of Tango 7 so I'm about to do the trekking phase.  My bag weighs 26kg :o)  The letter hasn't arrived yet and it was fine for you to come over and stay on 17th.  Love you xxxx James Eyles (Jammy Dodger) p.s. I'm not too keen on the haircut either.
Hi Mum and Dad, I'm about to start the trekking phase so am now part of Tango 7.  I'm glad you like the Wii Fit so much - I wouldn't rely on the fitness age in it though.  It is a bit weird with charging the camera, it only charges for 4 seconds then stops so can't take many pictures.  Love James Eyles xx