Welcome to the official blog for Raleigh India 12I | July - August 2012



Welcome to the Official Blog for Raleigh India 12J September - December 2012.



Wednesday 31 March 2010

It's raining....... Hallelujah!!!!!

I know back in England, Ireland and Europe, the sound of rain has been a little too constant of late, here in India however, that very sound has not been heard since January.  So you can imagine our surprise and delight to wake to the patter of rain on the roof this morning!

The rain has not been restricted to Fieldbase, all six of our groups have had their first taste of what it is like to be here during monsoon and I am quietly confident all 6 groups are pretty pleased that rain is unlikely to be an everyday occurence.

A quick swoop around the groups -

Charlie 2 has settled in nicely to life in Kudimery where they are busily preparing their 4 allocated houses for some major makeovers.  This super keen group have already formed their own jogging club and have planned a number of 'educational' days out.  These crazy kids are also having some pretty interesting conversations.  Wells and where in fact the water comes from being the highlight so far.  Kripa's birthday was celebrated in style and included party games with the local kids - as well as a silent disco - except not everyone had earphones so they used speakers as well - a sort of silent sort of quiet disco shall we say.


The well which is a well not a bore hole because it has a structure or apron if you will






Now we all know that Charlie 4 are not too far from Fieldbase, some of us slightly underestimated just how far they are. In our minds they were 15 kms – in actual fact they are 25kms, a fact that Claire and I discovered this morning when we ran out to drop off their post.  It was a nice idea it just took a little longer then expected, but with the help of our driver (ok we cheated on the last 5 kms but don’t tell the group! ) we made it.




We are supposed to be doing C4 with our hands - it was a struggle for some of us

Charlie 4 with their adoring fans
Charlie 4 have a lovely base at the school, and have really made themselves at home. They were treated like rock stars when they arrived, literally mobbed by the kids and have now begun daily games with them. Although there are some pillars in place, there is a lot of work to be done on the classroom as the roof has been completely removed.  I can’t wait to see the finished product.



Over in Echo 4 they had the chance to put their bachas to the test – the rain test that is! All but two stood up to the task admirably. One fell down and one had no roof - the group were somewhat silent on whose exactly! They have begun de silting the dam in an effort to bring it back to full capacity – rather fitting than the rain has begun.  By all accounts they are delighted by their idyllic surroundings - gosh I wish I was there.

Sam is back for more rock action in Echo 4

Fetching water is a daily chore and 1 km walk to the well - I don't think Echo 4 members will ever take their taps for granted again

Echo 5 are well and truly living the dream – Geoff described it as like a scene from “The Beach”  Sadly no Leo! The group have made good progress on the Elephant Proof Trench which will surround the Anti Poaching Camp– should you ever be asked the dimensions of an Elephant Proof Trench in a pub quiz they are as follows – 3 metres across at the top, 2 metres deep and 1 metre wide at the bottom so that it resembles a wedge of cheese. Digging this by hand is no easy task, we will keep you posted on their progress.  Logs Manager Tom is just back after deploying with the group so we have a couple of cheeky photos for you, as well as a couple taken by Claire earlier in the expedition.

View from the work site - not too shabby!



The ginger menace looking even rosier than normal - sorry Kev we couldn't resist!


The trek in - it's hot out there!


But this makes it worth while

Tango 6 are today enjoying a day of survival skills where they will put their chicken preparing and shelter building skills to the test. The group yesterday climbed Misapulimala, the second highest peak in India outside the Himalayas. I spoke to Lauren last night on comms and she sounded brilliant!!!  Everyone is in top form and quite literally on top of the world - well higher then we are anyway.


No wonder they call Kerala "God's own country"
Tango 7 have completed a couple of long days and will take a rest either tomorrow or the next day. They are fast learning the reputation as the biggest losers in that they have so far managed to lose a tent and their route card. Their spirits remain high however and a fairly spectacular storm on their first night served to bring everybody closer together!


The perotha and chai stop - prepare yourselves you will hear a lot more about the joy of this daily snack!
So that is all folks for another day here in India - at Fieldbase Helen is busily cooking up another project while James is getting his head around logs and Claire continues to edit and take more brilliant photos. 

Trusting that you are all very well - check out the comments section for messages from some of the venturers!












27 comments:

  1. From Ruth in Echo 5
    Dear Sarah,
    Thanks for your blog, journalism hey? That’s great news! I am very proud of you! How is Marcello? I am on an environmental phase now. Building an anti poaching camp and trench to
    stop elephants damaging the building. We are living on a beach next to the river. It is amazing! When are you returning to the UK? I am aiming for the 3rd June for the wedding. Are you going? Will send a longer email at changeover in a couple of weeks.
    Love you loads
    Bun xxx

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  2. Dear Mum,
    Thanks for your blog, sounds crazy about the house situation. How long are K & R staying? Must be quite cramped. How is the weather? We had a thunder and lightning storm last night. I am now in Echo 5, it is so beautiful here. We are camping on a beach by the river. I am still with Geoff, we have been together from the start and are firm friends! How was Jersey? The work is very hard but rewarding as we can see our progress. Please try to let me know if you have managed to change my flight.

    Lots of love
    Ruth xx
    PS Imagine the set of ‘Lost’ – that is where I am.

    PPS has dad sent a letter yet – haven’t received one from him!

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  3. From Geoff - Echo 5
    Dear Mum, Ruth and Steve,
    Just to let you know all the birthday cards arrived - had a fantastic day and cake although was obviously a bit surreal. Hope all is well -currently writing this from the beach and doing my best to get into blog photos!
    See you soon
    Geoff

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  4. Message from Ellie Hayward - Echo 5
    Elli! Got your blog message! Was so surprised you found me on it! Your letter is on the way and I can't wait to get yours! Missing you so much, hope everything is well in NZ and you're keeping safe. Can't wait to see you when all our travels are over.
    Love you xxxx

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  5. From Ellie - Echo 5
    Dear Mum and Dad,
    Literally loved the letters and sweets and random easter things!!! Felt bad when I got them after sending the complaining email. You and Abigail should get my letters any day now. Missing you all so much, I'll write again when I'm next at Fieldbase
    xxxxx

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  6. To Lauren Pegg's parents,
    First can I say that I think you're blog posts are hilarious!! I don't believe all that is written though. We passed on message to Lauren so will now pass on next one, glad it is all sorted.
    Keep posting - we love it!
    Anna

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  7. Hi Kev,
    Glad to see you're in the pink!
    Your site looks beautiful, hope you get a chance to cool off in the river... any paddling opportunities?
    The time is speeding by, keep the photos coming!
    lots of love Mum xx

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  8. Hello Theo
    Looks great on your project at the school with the children and hope going well. Lots of building skills to learn and then put into practice at home maybe. Loved the dancing photos with the slightly dirty feet but good moves. Have sent some replacement pants, haribo and teeshirts in five separate small parcels so do hope they arrive ok. You look well and happy. Happy Happy Easter and all my love mumx

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  9. Hi Paula (Charlie 4)
    Just seen you on the photos on the latest blog - well you still look as if you are enjoying yourself! Will be sending another letter this weekend - is there anything you want me to put in that is fairly flat so you would be likely to get it before you return. Can't believe you've been gone a month now.
    Auntie Ren X

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  10. Hi David,
    How did the survival skills hold out? Have you survived? I don't know if I could do the chicken bit!! I hope you have taken some good photos after your climb, all preparation for your climb up Kilamanjaro. We have missed the snow so far, but it has got colder. Gran and Roger will be here on Easter Sunday. Joshua has chicken pox so hopefully he will be over the worst by Sat. Peter is coming over in the next few weeks on a business trip so it will be nice to see him. We all send our love Mum xx

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  11. Paula poo (charlie 4)

    Hello just seen the rather sad effort that was made by yourself to do C4 lol, and further more lil sis have you been hiding from the sun again i know you repell sun rays however come on at least a slight glow would be nice or stand next to a white wall. Obviously i miss you super lots still keep wanting to call ya mobile and tell you bout all the weird new tricks my pregnant body is doing but obviously you wont answer so very little point, i did consider ringing Eoin and asking him to put on a geordie accent and talk loudly and throw in the occasional "NO WAYYYYY!" but clearly it would be a rubbish substitute for the real thing.

    Its easter weekend coming up so lots of roast dinners i will savour every mouthful of yorkshire pudding and gravy for you. Not long till my next scan i will know if your gonna have a niece or nephew on the 29th April i will wait till u arrive back to tell you incase you dont wanna know. Please dont loose to much weight skinny mini because my bump is getting bigger by the day and i dont wanna look like a huge whale when i stand next to you because obviously you will be coming to visit to mock my lack of waist and bottom which is getting big enough to eclipse india.

    Anyway play nicely with the children and remember they are children and you should let them win sometimes only sometimes tho lol!!!!

    love ya lots

    Manda Panda and Bump xxxx

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  12. For Duncan Sanders;
    Hello lovely (: I hope you're having fun on echo 4!! I really miss you. Just thought I'd leave a little blog message to say I accepted my uni offers last night. DMU as my firm and portsmouth as my insurance. When you're back maybe help with my biology please? I really need that B to get to DMU! I really hope I get in after all this hassle aha.

    I'll send you a letter on friday with a little update on things, and as previously mentioned some gossip aha. Im off to italy on tuesday, so I'll write you messages on here up until then..but I doubt I'll get internet while Im out there. As you know trips with Mr Gale are quite busy! I'll take some pictures and buy you a little present. Maybe some lemoncello aswell aha, bring back some memories (:

    I hope you're having a lovely time, and you're keeping safe. I bet its strange with rain where you are! The weather started to get better here, but over the last few days it decided to be rainy and cold. Boo face ): But its nearly half way through the 10 weeks, so not too long until I can see you again..reverse boo face (: Hopefully you'll get my letters soon, and hopefully I'll hear from you soon aswell. I miss you so much dunc. I literally cant wait to see you again! I miss everything about you, and I miss all your affection.

    I love you so very much
    Your stompy xxxxxx

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  13. Hi Releigh Staff:

    Your blogs are brilliant, and the photos are fantastic. Thank you so much :-)

    To David (Smith) Echo 4

    Hope your basha survived the rain and you are well. Good luck with de-silting the dam, and collecting the water from the well. The scenery still looks fantastic. Thinking of you. Much love Ma xx

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  14. Message for Chiara Raine Echo 5:
    Hi Kiki,
    Here we are sitting in front of a roaring fire because it is sooooo cold - blizzards in NI & Scotland and the usual chaos. And you're all experiencing monsoon weather! Seeing a new Raleigh blog & catching up with your latest movements has brightened up our day especially as we have still not heard from Afghan. I'm missing you both so much. Whatever the cause behind the missing blogs, Dad & I love reading what you're all up to and spotting you in a photo. I can only assume you missed out on seeing several pages when you got back to FB. Hopefully you'll get this & our earlier ones posted after the end of Phase 1 at the next drop-off. The photos on the blog site are amazing - they could be in an exhibition. Have sent a letter to the new address today with all the latest news - someone drove into my new car, boo hoo! Now on holiday for the Easter break. Will keep your egg for you. Love you lots, M&Dxxxx

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  15. To Anna, Raleigh India - thanks so much for letting Lauren know the good news. I'm glad you don't believe all the comments that have been said about me...Lauren knows her dad's humour all too well!!!!
    Lauren's mum (Mother Ducks)

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  16. To Raleigh staff

    I love the blogs - thank you so much for all the wonderful updates and photos. Jacqui Boyce

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  17. Hey ruth
    what a lot of photos of you on the blog. where you are looks amazing! your father hasn't written to you but we have sent a postcard from Jersey. i will try to write this weekend so you have some post to open. we will do the flights as well. I think yer father has sent you a message on the blog so keep a lookout for it. he's not too good with technology though! not sure if you are getting all the blog messages - i hope so.
    K & R will hopefully be moving back home this weekend. S is talking about coming back in May for about a month but she is not sure of her plans. so she may be back for the wedding or she may not.
    will be in touch again soon
    Love
    Mumxxxxxxx

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  18. For Laura Pye(face)

    TWO photos! Love your work. Yours was probably the best C4 too- you're too cool Miss Pye. Hope you're playing some good games with those children.

    Love you! Helen xxxxxxxx

    p.s. FOR THE RALEIGH BLOGGING TEAM- you're fabulous! Thanks so much for all the news and pictures!

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  19. Hi Sarah, (Charlie 4)How does boarding school compare? Saw the pictures on the blog. I'm sure the young students are delighted to have all the extra excitement.I believe that you have experienced monsoon rain - not something you could ignore!!!Just so you realise that you are not having all the drama,we have been having snow blizzards and gale force winds - promised awful weather for Easter.We hope to go west on Friday and will miss you there but have a good Easter in whatever way you can.Looking forward to next communication from you. Love you lots, Mum

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  20. Hi Claire Traylor
    Thought i'd have another go at putting a message on here for you!I put one on here Tues 30th but dad wasn't here to see that i'd done it right!We look at the sight most days and its fab seeing all the photos and reading all the info provided. Thank you for the letter that was posted in England for us lovely to hear your news. I've the old uni girls coming for a meal tonight and to see the house. I've made the lemon cheesecake for dessert! Dad nor Ian not working Sunday so hope to go out for the day and do a stroll somewhere. Weather not very good here mid and North Wales have had snow. Sally from school lives in Llandrindod Wells decided to do her driving test there as Cardiff has no vacancies until the end of May. She was due to do it this morning but was cancelled because of snow. Hope you will get the letters and parcel we've sent I will keep writing. Hope you are managing the trek ok and enjoying yourself.Take care love from us both Mam and Dad xxxxxxx

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  21. Michelle Mcdonald1 April 2010 at 23:56

    Message for all at field base, thank you for taking the time to post these brill pictures and keeping everyone well posted. Brilliant job.

    Thank you.

    Michelle (lauren Mcdonalds mum) x

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  22. Lauren Pegg's Father... bless him!2 April 2010 at 01:06

    To Anna and, I suppose, Lauren.

    Thank you for your kind comments about the blogs and I see that Lauren's Mother has posted a recent blog about my sense of humour.
    I tell you I NEED a sense of humour.
    You don't know the half of it.
    That blog only got posted because Lauren's Mother, Jacqueline managed to undo a strap on her straitjacket and get into the computer room.
    She is secure now and spent most of yesterday trying to pick flowers..... off of the wallpaper.
    The good people at the Bideawee Sanitorium have been very understanding.
    I am a martyr to the family but do I get any thanks? No!

    Signing off now and looking forward to a soothing libation to calm myself down with.

    Anna, much love to you all out there.
    Keep on doing what you do.
    Lauren's Father ( John)

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  23. Hattie Way (Tango 7)

    Hi Hatpin

    Do hope you are enjoying the trek - it sounds wonderful and makes my 10 miles round the Surrey Hills sound a bit paltry!!

    All well here. Benjie has finished nights and going to Venice with Lizzie. We expect Charlies tomorrow and we are going to Tish and Phil for Tea and Easter Eggs on Sunday. We may go the the Point to Point at Hackwood on Monday - if it doesn't rain?!

    Take care of yourself and all our love,

    Mummy and Pop

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  24. Hi Sam Dash,
    Happy Easter, we are indulging in Chocolate, surprise surprise !! Did your Basha stay up ? Think the beard etc. looks good. Dan is off to Switzerland for a 3 week internship, we are off to Birmingham for the vets conf. All the torts are awake and causing problems, lots of smelly newspaper as they are indoors at the moment. Luckily Scuptor John will be overseeing them whilst we are away. It is great seeing pics of you and where you are, hope you are taking lots of photos. Enjoy and take good care, Love Mum, Dad, Izzy(with friends/Alex etc) and Dan xx

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  25. Hi Theo

    Am really hoping parcels may have arrived by now. Ate no chocolate yesterday, we went to the Northey with Tasha and Pete and then to Steve's family at Maggs Farm where Ali was too and Sarah Brassington with new baby Grace. Children all had big easter egg hunt with lots of clues. Barney is going through a very funny stage at the moment haha funny.
    Hope you are enjoying the children at the school there. Miss you loads and feels really odd not to have spoken but look at blog at least ten times a day incase more photos and you are now on screen of computer so all can see you. love as ever and have much much fun. xxxxxmum

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  26. To Louise K (Echo 4)

    We're now back from Scotland so can catch up with the blogs. We had 3 dry days and then it rained solidly for 2 days (the monsoon season seems ongoing there). We're going to accept your place at MBS because the deadline is drawing near. No news about funding as yet.
    Looks like you are near rocks in your latest project. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
    It's Tom's birthday today, hope you haven't forgotten!

    Love Mum

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  27. Hey Louise (echo 4),

    How are things? I have to say that the view I currently have which is the backs of the houses on homewood road probably doesn't even compare with what you are looking it although the weather is pretty nice. I'm so jealous of you. It looks amazing and you look really happy in your pictures too! Distinct lack of photo smile. It's coming towards the end of my Easter and I'm back to Sheffield on Sunday. My work is being done but I am at the point now where I would like it to be over! Roll on may the 13th. I am applying for my masters as Manchester so fingers crossed I get accepted and get money too although I still am not sure if I will take a gap year or not but at least we will have one another in Manchester...I hope! You're going to miss the general election. Its may the 6th and we are all very worried about a tory take over! I hear the new season of gg is really good although I am still only up to epi 11. Poor showing on my part. I know Liz is really looking forward to her India trip. I look forward to being able to have some sort of reciprocal relationship with you again. Not much interesting sleb news; still on going Sandra bullock drama and conflicting reports about if Brad and Jen are having an affair or even if Ange in preggers...again! Oh and not sure if Lucy got to you to tell you but there is going to be a step up 3 in 3D!!! Anyway that's all the news I have. Manchester isn't the same without you so hurry back. Hope you are having a wonderful time and speak to you soon. Love Amy xxx

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