Hi everyone I just wanted to take this opportunity to explain about the blog and how we operate it. Your messages are published -unless they contain sensitive information. Our vehicles visit each group at least once during phase. On the day the vehicle is leaving, everything that has been posted is printed out and taken for the group to read. The blog messages are then printed again for changeover and everyone has the chance to see the blog messages when they access the internet. For important messages - eg flight changes, baby arrivals etc we pass the message on during comms check in the morning or evening.
Tomorrow the vehicle will go down to the two treks in Kerala, this is a two day journey so it will be there on the weekend, another vehicle will go to Charlie 2. Trips to Echo 4 and Echo 5 are planned for next week, and a vehicle will take the blog to Charlie 4 at some point in between. When posting messages it is always best to post them on the most recent blog so they don't disappear on us. We work very hard to share the stories of 10C with everyone and we want it to be as interactive as possible but please understand that the project sites are remote and we have our limitations.
I am very proud of the blog and the effort that has been put into it by our wonderful team of volunteers and I love how much it means to everyone. There are great stories happening here on a daily basis and I promise that we do our best to share them with you as they happen.
For Hannah Mendoza
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah!! Blown away by the photographs on the blog and the achievements of the expeditions - you must be having the most incredible experience...hope your tonsils are bearing up!! Can't wait to hear all about it.. Mollie and I are travelling to Cornwall today and Dad is arriving the day after. Think of us on windswept Constantine Bay this week...Love you soooo much Mum, Dad and Mols xxxxxxx
Message for Julie Egdell (Echo 4)
ReplyDeleteHi Pet
Just to let you know we got your letter yesterday (Tuesday). Many thanks to the kind friend who posted it on arrival back in the u.k.
Hope your settling into your new project o.k. and have been making friends. We have had a look at the previous groups blog to get an idea of what you`ll be doing. It looks great! The motto of Ugadi is very true I think!
Will write soon. Hopefully, today as its my day off. Will take Bonny out in between the showers (you know how much she hates the rain). Easter weekend coming up so two short weeks. Will take Bonny out over the weekend and get her some treats and toys.
Take care. With love from us all.
Mam xxx
amy broughton and claire traylor(tango 6),
ReplyDeletealrigh girls!
hope you're having a good time on the trek,i wish i was there!i'm bored of home already....hot showers,nice clothes,food thats not porridge or curry and a comfy bed are overrated!my tan is fading by the second,its actually snowing here today!i've spoken to the visa people to see if i can come back may 10th but theres a rule that says you can't get back into india for at least two months since you last left which means i wouldn't be able to come back until 28th may which is a bit pointless with you guys flying home 3rd june!if you want to go back to india within less than 2 months you can write to the high commissioner of india for special permission so i've done that!i'll have to wait and see what they say but don't think its very likely i'll get permission to come back earlier,it says they only let you back if it's for an emergency situation e.g. someone in your familys dying!hopefully they'll understand that a charlie 3 reunion on the beach is an emergency situation!!!i've got my fingers crossed anyway and i'll let you know if i'm coming back!say hi to jo and henry for me!tell jo that i tried ordering drinks by saying "hello pounds?" in bars in birmingham,for some reason it was not as successful as "hello rupees?" was when buying vegetables in sargur!
i've written you a letter so hopefully you'll get that soon.
anyway hope you're having a great time, make the most of it coz you're not missing anything interesting at home!
miss you!!
jo xxxxx
p.s. hope jo's making you wear your gliders broughton hahaha!
Message for Lauren Mcdonald. Hiya babe well you should be into your trek by now hope it is going well, and your feet are not hurting too much, I would love to know about what you see out there in the wilderness, hope theres not too many creepy crawleys, bet the scenery is breathtaking. Well the weathers still nice i see very hot, well we had heavy rain and winds last night horrendous weather. Not much sunshine in this part of the world.
ReplyDeleteIts easter weekend here on friday but dont worry your easter eggs will be here waiting for you when you get home, lol, and its shelbys birthday next week, all i can say watch out the babys turning 13 lol. Oh and i bought ella an easter egg for you so she had one from aunty lauren lol. Anyway take care babe good luck with the rest of the trek and looking forward to seeing some pictures soon. Love you so much, mum xxxxx
dhwani, bath just gave you unconditional acceptance!!! so once again its 4/4 . the last date of acceptance is june the 7th so you have plenty of time . just wanted to let you know.
ReplyDeleteall else well, spent the morning with your horse and she looks fantastic and won the cross county in the junior class, 80 cm this friday
love you loads and i hope your hips are holding out and not hurting .
mum
Message for Charles Salmon Tango 7
ReplyDeleteHi Charles,
Hope the trek is going well. We are really looking forward in due course to hearing about it on the blog and seeing photos. I gather it is very hot in India at the moment which must make the trek even more challenging. Everyone is thinking of you on your trek and hope that you are enjoying the wonderful scenery.
Sophie and I are off to Suffolk today and Daddy and Emma are joining us tomorrow there for the Bank Holiday Weekend. Daddy is taking next week off as holiday and Sophie and i are staying down in Suffolk a further week. As you can imagine, Sophie has a lot of revision to do. Bar Bar is also joining us for the second week. We shall return to London on Sunday 18th April.
Yesterday I went with Bar Bar to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition. It was excellent.
With love from us all,
Mummy xx
For Matt Hairsnape, Charlie 2
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great changeover and are happy with the new project. I'm off next Wednesday but will try to stay in touch. Miss you loads, AD xx
For Isabella Plumptre.
ReplyDeleteDearest Bella,
I sincerely hope you have not suffered any calamity on this 'expedition' and that even more importantly you haven't harmed any of my 'belongings' a full inventory of which is being constructed with the incumbent costs calculated.
This Saturday Thomas and I are going to Hammersmith for the boat race; should be spiffing good fun but all the same you should devote an inordinate amount of time to thinking about me crammed into a creaking public house in the rainswept Thames valley cheering on some slightly darker dressed Canadians and Germans. I hope it will be pleasantly distracting. The thinking that is.
Oh well, toodle pip, remember to watch out for the unicorns. One more thing...m a h.
Much Love, David.
Message for Guy on Charlie 4,
ReplyDeleteHi Guy,
Hope your back is getting better. All fine here and Easter this coming weekend. Ruth and Ben coming home and B bringing Polly so very exciting. Doodles is well. Appalling weather here and snow in Scotland. Will save you and Easter Egg! Take care, Mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Message for Lauren Pegg (Charlie 2),
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren,
It was so lovely to see some photos of you, Ian and I think you look soooo well, tanned and relaxed...looks as though the lifestyle is agreeing with you! (I will be interested to hear about your team's skit - what were you dressed up as?!)
Well much is the same here except the weather has taken a turn for the worse and it now feels like January again...bah! Ian is taking a couple of extra days off around easter and so we are going to start looking for kittens (fancy any babysitting duties during the summer?!) We have also finished doing up the hall which is nothing compared to what you are doing I know. The project sounds incredible and what an opportunity for you to experience a completely different way of life.
Good news also that you have arranged a bit travelling at the end...you will have such a fab time. I am so jealous!!!
Well take care for now my sweet...lots of love, hugs and kisses, JJ and Ian xxxxxx
Hi Louise ( Charlie2)
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you are in for another great adventure, I'm sure you must be really enjoying yourself.
It is super to see you on some of the photos- you look really well and very happy!!
Anna and Natasha break up today, Daddy is off for easter and then has a week off beginning 12th April so we are thinking of going up north to see Grandma and Grandad and then on to Edinburgh to take in the sights!- We hope to visit St Andrews and Durham whilst we are away- what do you think.
I saw Miranda on the train the other day and had a great chat with her, she rather liked Durham when she visited it- I think she is eally looking forward to next October.
Jonny has had Hamish to stay and he has some friends at St Aidan's who really like it- He says it doesn't look the best but it is very friendly.
We hope to quiz Alice, William and Amelia about it all on Sunday!!
How is that tan coming on? you still look quite pale to us which I suppose means that you are not burning.
We hope you are putting your camera to good use, I'm sure you must be seeing some amazing sights.
Jonny says he hopes you are enjoying yourself!
It was super to chat on the phone the other day- I have topped up your phone again.
Don't forget to make your decisions so that we can reply in plenty of time.
We are all missing you my darling and thinking of you lots.
Lots of hugs and kisses, Mum xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you to everyone involved in the blog, you are doing a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteWe are eager followers.
Happy Easter to all
For Alice Maclennan Tango 7
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful and informative blog (although I couldn't see you in any of the photos - I hope you are not hiding!) tells us you are now trekking and that you can expect a visit from the Fieldbase staff this weekend and they will be leaving tomorrow so must not delay! What a great system! Thinking of you trekking in Kerala I am reminded of the first lines of the Irish blessing 'May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back'!
Good luck to you and your companions. It all sounds so wonderful and a fantastic experience. Now would Dad say that was an inappropriate use of the word fantastic?! I think I can just about get away with it!
After a slow start I have written you four letters but they will probably all arrive in a bunch.
Much love from us both Mum xx
Annie Raff,
ReplyDeleteAnnie!
i'm so sorry i didnt get to see you before i left on saturday,i couldn't find your group anywhere!hope you're having a good time on the trek and your feet aren't hurting too much!i'm already bored of being at home!its grey miserable and freezing cold!i miss the indian sun!i'm trying to sort my visa out so i can come back in may but doesn't look like my visa will let me.i'm going to keep trying anyway and i'll maybe see you in a few weeks on the beach if you're still in india!
anyway have a good time on your (very long) walk!say hi to charles for me!
love jo xxxxx
Message for Lauren McDonald :)
ReplyDeleteheey Lauren, it's your very much loved Shelby, how you doing then? hope you're having fun :)
i've seen pictures, you're well brown!
i'm jelous already ;)
anyway, just to remind you if you've lost track that it's my birthday soon, + i hope you can bring me back something, ;)looool.
anyway, i'm missing you LOOAADDS!
i love you lots and lots like jelly tots :)
love your favourite sister, Shelby (: xo;
To: Bella Plumptre
ReplyDeleteHi! Congrats on finishing your first phase and good luck with the trekking!
Lots of love
Mum
xxx
To Anna and all at fieldbase just to say thank you for the fantastic blogg this has been a real lifeline for me. You all do a fantastic job not just on here but by the work you do in all.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you all xx
Cant do easter eggs they will melt but haribos on the way (oh and a little liquorice).
Michelle (Lauren Mcdonalds mum)
Message to George Mills on Charlie 2
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you have landed yourself in another fantastic adventure up with the Paniya tribe. It just seems to get better and better. Really good to hear you are finding it amazing! Re your email I will send you a detailed reply to your hotmail account later, but you may be best off staying in India until at least the 26th May, so when you arrive in Thailand your flight back to the UK is within 30 days so no need for a visa. You can then sort it out in Thailand when you are there - i.e. extend your stay in Thailand, get a visa to allow this, or go across to Cambodia and then go back into Thailand thus still not requiring a Thai visa (because each stay in Thailand is less than 30 days)! One thing Trailfinders is saying is that getting a new visa for Thailand while you are in India may prove to be difficult.
There is no problem if you want to go overland back to Mumbai (or delaying the flight back) - but you need to sort it at your end. No money back if you do not use the flight at all but ideally you should tell Jetair that you will not be using that part of the ticket. Small charge to change the flight back to Bangalore (£11 ish). Changing flight from Mumbai to Bangkok should cost nothing (you get one free change on this part of the ticket) - but you need to do it and do it well in advance of the 15th May because those flights do get booked up and it will of course be subject to availability!
Travelling overland via Kochi up to Mumbai sounds like a great idea! I would not worry about wasting the money spent on the internal flight as this was not that much and you need to take advantage of the opportunities that you have over there while you can!
All for now - hope your hair is almost back to normal!! We are off to Zermatt on Friday - so keep smiling and blog when we get back!
Lots of love from all of us at home x Dad
For the Gorgeous (if a bit sweaty) Laura Pye!
ReplyDeleteLaura I totally didn't realise we could send you messages through this magical blog! I did send you a ma-husive letter but I totally understand if you don't make it through the whole thing! Been looking at the blog heaps trying to see pictures of you- but only one so far- what's going on?! Get your camera face on please. Hope you're enjoying it all darling. Wish I could speak to you! I did notice that you had elephantens at your last spot- niiiice! Hope you got some good pics.
All fine here, same old same old! Miss you lots but love you more!
Take care, Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
for Katie Radford
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd tell you Ive just been along to feed the hens and its freezing and trying its hardest to snow, so you enjoy the sun on your back while you've got the chance lol' get stuck in with those paint brushes and plastering trowels.
love you darling mam
Hey Ruth
ReplyDeleteNice tan!! I'd forgotten how lovely and curly your hair really is! it was good to see a photo of you nearly smiling!
we got your e mail about changing your flight and will get on to that this weekend. will let you know as soon as we have arranged it or if there are any problems. hopefully if you come back on the 3rd you will be able to come to yorkshire on the 5th for Susie's wedding.
hope you are enjoying your new challenge and we look forward to hearing more about it through this great blog!
Heaps of love
Mumxxxxxxx
Message for ROSIE MELLOR, currently with TANGO 6. Hi Rose, Dad here, speaking from a blowey and freezing cold Lancashire. Some parts of Northern Ireland and the Scottish Borders hit really badly, train disruption up the East Coast, so happily, we are not driving up to Edinburgh this weekend !! You should see the pond-- loads of dollops of frogspawn, which fascinates the cats, and Badcat has started to visit us again, so I give him the roughs of the cat food, that our lot turn up their collective noses at. Happily we are looking forward to a few days off at Easter, and I have holiday days booked for my birthday, so it's gardening on the cards, I think, if it is not beneath a foot of snow, that is. Take care out in the outback, the photos we have seen already show it is a wonderful place !! CIAO, Dad and Mum xxxx Several letters on their way.
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren Pegg (Charlie 2)
ReplyDeleteExpedia has confirmed your change of flight details to 25 May so all is well. David is signed off for another month with his broken leg so he is really happy about that!!! Love, love, love you. Mother Ducks xxxxx
Hi James
ReplyDeleteHope you are ok? Very peaceful and tidy here but the quality of food is not up to much without you! Hope the Wolf Spiders are kind ! We are fine here. Sue Lad hopes you are heeding her instructions, Sue, Mary, Mary, Nicola and Helen all send their love. Grandma and Grandad are going back to Spain next week and send their love as does Grandma B and Grandad G . Millie is still looking for you but she is fine . Heather and Will send their love and are not sleeping in your room or driving your car HONEST! Have seen Kesteral's Mum today he is missing you too and has an impressive black eye from Rugby ! Marine hopes you are taking lots of photos and wonders if there are any indian Hebes!!!!!!
It is freezing here we have even had snow today.
Take care James Love you Mum,Dad,Heather,Will and Millie x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Hi Amy I am sorry no letter so far.hopefully on your return may be two.it is wonderfull to see your happy face.i am so pleased all is going well mum dad & josie arriving soon.Just found the place to do the message.i hope the next stage goes well& is not too exhausting.i am so proud of you& congrats on nottingham.Take care tons of love Grandmaxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteTo Dhwani Soni (Tango 6)
ReplyDeleteThrough some more epic blog-stalking I have discovered that you also have an unconditional to Bath! SEE, I KNEW YOU WERE AWESOME :D Congrats! Nicola just got an offer from them as well so she's reeeeeally happy but is waiting on Glasgow School of Art...oh and Katy got an offer from GSA so happy times all round! In other offer news from the year 13s, Mike Farid got into MIT so will be turning down his Cambridge offer. Seriously...him over Nida? Honestly?
Anyhoo, point is, WOOP WOOP! I've just started some of my work, having recovered from my food poisoning and wow I have a lot to do. Only have a week left in Dubai. We're all heading to DC tomorrow for last day of term. Time to say hello to all the teachers again and I have some things to discuss with Jonesy. You're also missing the Annual Lindstrom Pool Party unfortunately but I'll make up for you and drink/eat/make merry in your honour :P
Hope you're having an ab.fab. time. Oh, and glad to hear that Pippa's doing well too (Yes, I read all your mother's post...)
MISS YOU LOADS
Love love love love
A-Bel xxx
For Tom Saville
ReplyDeleteLooks like you won't get this til after Easter when the truck heads your way. UK in grip of its second winter - snow up North, Rooney badly injured, United lost to Bayern. Saw Erik today, he's doing well and i gave him a sample of the 1922 bottle of port we drank on my birthday -smooth and mellow! Just about recovered from all the food and celebrations, it was a lovely time, except you weren't there! Take it easy, Dad
Heyy, Matthew Hairsnape :)
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well, Hope you are having a good time too. We are all fine, although weather is awful-really cold. I broke up today from school for the Easter holidays. When you were in base camp, i remember seeing that you were on face book just half an hour before i went on! Annoying. Haha
So as i have said above i hope it is all well, all well here. Miss you, love emily xxx :)
Mum-
Hi, Sounds like another good project. So glad I can keep up to date on the Raleigh blog. Seen pics of you too! Hope you are taking lots of photos. I've posted letter no.4 yesterday hope it gets to you soon. Looks a great time, carry on enjoying it, we all send our love Mum xxxxxx
Hi Nick(Finegan) hope you are feeling better and able to enjoy your trek.Let us know how things are if you can. We are in Swanage for Easter. Luke has now finished his job.Speak soon,lots of love Mum, Dad, and Luke
ReplyDeleteHi Alistair
ReplyDeleteArrgh! Can't find your glasses and in any case cost of shipping is massive - you could buy Mysore for that kinda money. Any ideas where else to look? PLEASE get some made over there.
Robert, John and Patrick (remember Patrick Dudgeon?) send their best wishes. Fish fine, guitars well and your loving relatives are all missing you, and wishing you well.
Have booked something interesting for your return - also have some ideas for V Festival weekend - will email you separately.
Uni says they haven't started allocating rooms yet - a week or two after Easter, maybe.
Best of all good wishes
Dad x
To Lauren Pegg
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your flight has been extended to allow you more time in India. Whoopee!!
The toilet rolls will be spared for another few weeks more.
G wants to know how you are getting on with the Fairy soap bar?
Has it been efficacious? also, has it worked well?
On Easter Sunday Uncle D, Yvonne & I are going over to Alan & Jean's to see Louise as she has come over with Fabio.
I will pass on your best.
Rebs is here tonight with Matt and they are lunching with Mother tomorrow.
I am working.
However, I am going to Majestic Wine to buy a few bottles on the way home. I need a drink too but not as much as your mother.
Lots of snow in Scotland & N Ireland at the moment.
Cold and very wet here in the Capital.
Be good, smile a lot and do it kid.
Much love from us here.
Pa, G & Mac (woof)
XX XX bark
4 JACK BELL hi jack hope u r well we r all ok i have a job now working at elite garages in mannings heath love the photos on the blog u r looking well hair growing going curly now suits u missing u love u loads take care xxxxxxxxxxxx meggs says hello and loads of your friends have asked how u r getting on u arent missing much the weather is cold and wet and there say we r going 2 get snow at easter typical english weather soz i missed your phone call but thank u 4 leaving a message it was lovely 2 hear u xxxxxxxxxxxx all my love always mum xxxx
ReplyDeleteHi James (James Hutchinson Tango7)
ReplyDeleteHope you are having an amazing time sorry to hear about the storm and the lost tent. Its very peaceful and tidy here but the foods not up to much since you left!!!! We are fine,everyone here sends their love, Sue Lad hopes you are heeding her instructions. Both Grandmas and grandads send their love and are keeping up to date with the blog. Millie is still looking for you. Heather and Will are not sleeping in your room or driving your car HONEST! Mrs Durkin called in today to see if you are behaving!!! The Marine hopes you are taking lots of photos and are enjoying the trecking. Miss you and love you Mum,Dad,Heather,Will and Millie x x x x x
Hi Dhwani,
ReplyDeleteYour Cardiff offer has been updated as unconditional. So now all that done and put to rest. Hope you are having a great time with the trek. It is a really beautiful place. I wonder though how the summer is treating it. Looking forward to having you and your friends back here in Bangalore before you launch yourselves into another expedition.
Love.
Papa
message for Annie Raff
ReplyDeleteAnnie!!!
I hope this reaches you well. all the pics look amazing! i just cant wait to see you. im in london at the moment but will be going to israel next week, cant wait!
hope you're having an amazing time.
love you lots
Rebecca xx
Hi, Alice, was so good to see pics of you . It ball looks so amazing. Hope the co
ReplyDeleteMessage for Alice Mathews Charlie 4
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, It has been amazing to see the pics of you and it all looks like fun and so interesting. I would have written sooner but as usual had a problem working out how to! Went to the Tate modern yesterday. Hope you're enjoying the community work and meeting the children. Here it is very cold and frosty and pia is home for easter. Miss you lots but hope that you're having a great time. I am keeping a close eye on the progress of all your ma applications a n will let you know when you need to decide. Lots of love, Mum xxx
Message for Alice Mathews Charlie 4.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, hope your having fun in India! have been trying to imagine all the stuff you have been doing. What is the village like?r you enjoying living in a tent? lol an have you seen lots of bugs yet? you'll have to write an tell me all about it! I have come home for easter an to try write my dissertation :( cant wait till its over! me an mum are gonna gp to compton verney tommoro. Im still thinking of coming to meet you after your thing but have found that my last exam is on the 2nd of june-there are flights that night but is that too late for you? anyways hav a think about it an im sure we can talk about it when u next get to a phone/write! hope you're having a good time and enjoying it all, miss you an love you lots! pia xxxxx
Message for Lauren McDonald, Tango 6
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren
Hope you are well (no sore feet) and enjoying this part of the project. Just want to let you know that I am thinking of you and am looking forward to seeing more photos and hearing more news.
Take care, love you
Nany Joanxx
Hi Euan, Mum's been sending me all the blog stuff and looks like you are all doing a great job. Well done. Will write again if this is the right way to do it! Lynne and Roxanne. x
ReplyDeleteMessage for Alice Mathews-Charlie 4
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, Happy Easter!!! I have of course eaten my easter egg already lol! We saw the area you are in on tv last night-it looks amazing-v. beautiful! think its great what your doing-know it must be hard work tho!-stay strong! we are thinking of an missing you lots here! iv been sitting around an watching lots of crappy tv to avoid doing dissertation, missing you're funniness as company! Hope the sun tan is coming along well-im expecting you to return with a perfect well brown glow!! also hope you are writing us letters-some are in the post for you! :) Love you lots, pia xxxx
Darling Harry
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy easter. Went to Kimmerghame and did the easter egg hunt with the Italian mob - lovely day. Girls back to London today and Daddy at home this week which is good. Longing to get that letter that you probably posted weeks ago. We have organised a house in France in the Pays Basque, an hour from Spain from 12 June to 3rd July. Kati and Jess are coming - Kati for a holiday, jess to write her dissertation. Do you want to come? If so we need to get your passport renewed asap - fast track when you get home. However don't cut short your adventures in India - we can sort something out. Get in touch. Love you lots M xoxoxoxoxox
Woa such a very beautiful pictures. thanks for sharing with us...
ReplyDeleteHi Sam Dash,
ReplyDeleteWonder if this will get to you?
What is this about Glamour magazine ? Is it that they feel you need to feel your feminine side or that you need to be a bit of a metrosexual or what ? Concerned of Normans Bay here.
How did the chickens feel about being kidnapped ? Much Love, can't wait to see your photos.