Yesterday was a special occasion for Echo 4 as all the venturers' hard work was celebrated with the opening ceremony of the Chowdhalli Ranger Station.
Forestry officials were first shown around the Kodabana Katte Anti Poaching Camp (Echo 5's project in phase 2 and 3) complete with new toilet and extra big Elephant Proof Trench, and were then taken to the completely transformed ranger station at Echo 4.
Forestry officials take a peek at the loo at the Echo 5 site
The officials were delighted with the progress and were extremely impressed with the lack of impact the groups had had on the surrounding environment and how they had lived and worked within such a small area of forest.
A Pooja (a religious ceremony) was performed at the door of the station and a a red ribbon was cut to mark the opening before the groups tucked into some Indian food finished off with a slice of cake.
Alain and Laura with their favourite ranger
Toby is pleased with the celebratory grub
Well done to all the venturers and PMs who shifted and sifted sand, cleaned tiles, painted, plastered and dug and dug and dug to ensure that elephants and tigers are protected in the area.
The final Echo 4 group with some of the forestry officials
Finally, some messages: Sam Flood would like to wish her mum a very happy 50th birthday. And all the best from the fieldbase staff too!
From Holly:
Hi Mum and Dad, Last message from India! All is still great - lots of stones for when I return. Thanks for the message from the Dyers, looking forward to seeing you soon, Love Hol xxx PS. I have no house key - will anybody be at home in Stamford on the 16th in the evening?
Fron Maddy:
Hi Mum, Yeh not long til I'm home now! I'm sad that the expedition is coming to an end but I'm definitely ready for some of your home cooking, Raleigh rations just don't cut it. Jenni might have emailed me about her job interview and just haven't had the chance to read it; oddly though I had a dream that her and Danny went to Cuba last night. Don't worry I received yours and Gran H's previous comments - thanks for those.
Hi Alex, thanks for your message - yeah I've finally made it out to project site. Not many days left now until I fly home - looking forward to a good catch up! Love to all, Jen I hope the interview went well, Mads xx
Tor's Mum here - she will kill me for this, but I came over all emotional when I saw what an amazing job you have done on the rangers station...well done to all the groups - absolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteFor ALAIN, Hallo lieve schat! Wat een leuke foto's weer van je op de India site!!! Kan niet wachten om alle verhalen te horen.... Nog 5 daagjes.... Ik ga straks ook naar Londen met Hans en Suusje. Willie haar dochter trouwt daar morgen, wordt een groot feest! Maar het grootste feest is dat jij woensdag weer terugkomt! Ik kan niet wachten, je ziet er zo goed uit op de foto's!!! Dikke zoen, Ma.xxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeletehiya laura hope your ok and having a good time im really proud of ya for sticking it out and making it threw the hole 10 weeks carnt waite to see ya love you so much see ya soon xxx
ReplyDeleteBravo poupette ! Quel boulot, et quelle belle maison. Je te découvre des talents cachés.. et je vois un grand sourire, j'imagine donc que tout s'est bien passé, que tu es en bonne santé, que le groupe était sympa. Je me réjouis trop de te revoir, ds 6 jours, je les compte ! Pomp finit ses examens demain, trop gai, et joz les commence lundi prochain mais aura fini à la fin de la semaine. Papa est parti chasser en Angleterre, j'avais envie d'aller voir anish kapoor (un sublime artiste indien !) à la royal accademy mais je renonce, car je suis fatiguée et le froid arrive ! Snif. Il faisait très doux jusqu'à present. Tu rentres au camp de base ce we ? Have a nice time ma doucette, je t'attends avec impatience. Much love et baisers de mam
ReplyDeleteCela t'amuserait il de partir avec up with people ?
Hello James G.
ReplyDeleteWhat a transformation! You have all worked so hard to complete all of the work. Well done.I am sure that all the Rangers will be delighted with their new station. The official opening was slightly earlier than we had expected so did this mean that you had an even greater task to get all the work done in time? We will be able to hear all about it in less than a week now. We are all so excited to be seeing you so soon. Tom and I will be waiting for you at the airport. Be prepared for a drop in temperature on your return and make the most of those wonderful suns rays before you leave!
Lots and lots of love Mxx
chris braggs well done so proud well done to you all in the raliegh
ReplyDeleteHi Luke
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job you have all done with the ranger station - you should be very proud of yourselves (as we are of you!). Looking forward to seeing more photos, love Mum xx
For Adam Russell.
ReplyDeletehey Ad, cant be long left now, really cant wait for you to come on home, we miss you loads. Hope your well, got your postcard last week, sorry i havent replied earlier ive been really busy with applying for uni and stuff (my course in chelmsford got cancelled, so trying to get into the london one. )
Did have an interview next week for a platform 2 volunteer scheme, quite like what your doing now, but i now have a job in a school during the time i was going for that, so hoping to travel in the summer now.
Cant wait for a catch up and a party, bet youve got some great stories. Onto football news, Spurs beat wigan 9-1, with defoe scoring 5, but youve drawn the last 2 games i think, your 4th in the league.
All us lot (kat amy and kris) cant wait to see you, enjoy your last bit of time over there. Love you loads dude, Dan x x x x x x x
Hey Mikey, thinking about you lots .. wondering how your final phase is going ... REALLY hoping all your equipment is serving you well enough? I'm looking forward to hearing news of your trek and maybe seeing some pictures of the landscape that your travelling through. will be so good to hear some of your thoughts about the land and people and your experiences. good luck with it all. we are madly planning our next project and finding funding for the next phase of our work too. i'm going to glastonbury to see lisehanne and the screening of her son's film project that he's spent 5 years making on saturday, then off to bristol again on sunday. christmas is getting closer and i really should start making some preparations for that too. life is full and busy and all change. spent last tuesday in toby's yurt in the rotherfold for the christmas late night shopping and saw lots of friends and had lots of great conversations. people were so surprised to see a yurt up in town! we even sold a few things! darndy's is still doing really well in london and dealing with independent living with success and relishing it. have a great last week darling, and get in touch as soon as you can. sending so much love, as always, Mum xxxx
ReplyDeleteWell done everyone for completing the ranger's station. a fantastic team effort ... and a rich reward to see it opened. congratulations from michael's mum, Amanda.
ReplyDeleteHi Lukey,
ReplyDeleteSorry I've not been in touch sooner mate...I hope you're very well and having the time of your life. Congratulations to you all on completing the Ranger's Station, that's truley fantastic!! keep up the great work bud and look forward to seeing you very soon...oh by the way there's a Man U-Leeds FA Cup ticket waiting for you for 3rd Jan..whhhoooooooooo!!! Take Care mate and all the very best, Goose x :-)
Enjoy your last few days. Anytime for Christmas Shopping? (ha)! Have a safe trip home. We will be there to meet you. Love you mum xxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Maddy
ReplyDeleteGreat to read the message from you and that you are back with the group! This may be one of the last messages I post/ you receive before returning home. We may have to create a home blog!!
Colder weather is on its way in the UK and we may have some snow in the North West on the day you fly home, so put some extra layers at the top of your bag and I will put a blanket on your bed too. Gran Oakes wants to buy you some thermal underwear, she is very concerned that you will feel the cold. Let me know if you agree.
Everywhere looking very Christmassy and I'm definitely getting into the spirit, so watch out for lots of carols, mince pies and tinsel!
Grandad H had their Christmas Fair last Sunday, it was very heart warming with extended family, lots of food and a singer.Many of the residents became animated and joined in with the old songs, some of the staff even danced!
Well little one enjoy the last few days - can't wait to see you and I will try to not ask too many questions when you get in (but no promises!) All my love Mum aka Mother Goose xxx
Hi Hol
ReplyDeleteLast few days!! Hope the project at the village went well. You all looked happy on the photo. Are you back at Basecamp yet?
We're all so looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday - I bet you'll be tired!
Can't wait to hear your stories and look at your photos.
Got your latest letter a couple of days ago and enjoyed reading about all your adventures.
Christmas approaches rapidly - we're out with the band practically every night. We're playing outdoors at Skeggy tomorrow and they're forecasting temperatures just above zero!! A bit different to your conditions! Mum breaks up next Friday and I'm playing a couple of times at her school next week.
I expect you'll be having quite a special leaving party. Enjoy it all, Hol!!
Lots of love, Dad xxx
Hi Daniel
ReplyDeleteWe have received your letter and its nice to know you are having such a great time. The finished ranger station looks really good and we can't wait to see the photos of your final phase at the school. Just to let you know we have checked the flight times and will be waiting for you at Heathrow. See you soon Mum and Dad
PS Lee Johnstone dropped City beat Leicester 3-1 Hopefully they are on the up !
Lieve Nanette,
ReplyDeleteTop weer wat te horen en zien. mooie foto. Je brief hebben we eergisteren ontvangen. Super leuk. wanneer je dit leest geen idee maar
HEEL HARTELIJK GEFELICITEERD MET JE VERJAARDAG!
We kijken naar woensdag uit en staan dan met z'n 4tjes je op te wachten. Da zegt; ik heb van Sint een mega HP pooster gekregen (for promotional use) zoooo coowl=).Dikke verjaardagszoen van pap en mam.
p.s. heb je al zin in je 2 glazen champagne met bart k?? xD haha xxxx daph
great work to you all from chris braggs mum
ReplyDeleteI have to say that is a pretty impressive transformation!!! No wonder you all look so muscular - congratulations for all your hard work! See you soon Luke! Marie x x x
ReplyDeleteHeyy Sweetheart!
ReplyDeletegood news, im with youu all xmas from the day youu get backk. :) ha! stuck with me now. :)
ohh youu noo the xfactor, olly is in the final! but your gunna miss it.. i will tell youu when youu get backk. :) ha! him and joe are in the final.. its gunna be tough.. but olly will win. :) well baby.. its sunday now.:) im getting really excited. really cant wait too see youu. and i cant wait to give youu the biggest hug eva! <3
im soo proud off everything youve done babe! cant wait for youu too tell us your stories about india. :) ha, you will need a lovely bath when youu get back. :)
well im gunna watch mean girls with my wifeyy. :)
iiloveyouubabee.
Rawrrrrriees.
Libby xxx
Hi Tina,
ReplyDeleteThis will be my last message to you now,
you have all worked so hard and we are all very proud of you, the station looks fab.
Thank you to Raleigh - all the staff for looking after our girl and giving her the opportunity to have an amazing experience. I'm sure she will miss all of you and beautiful India.
Tina we are so looking forward to you coming home so see you then.
lots of love
MUM XXXXXXX
Good Work and a Good time seemed to be had by all-an experience they will never forget -
ReplyDeleteLouis Nerurkar`s grandma!