Raleigh Round Up

As you all know our intrepid explorers return to the nest this Friday, for 2 days of rest and relaxation, well  rest and relaxation is perhaps not how it will be described by all, but rest assured changeover 1 is set to be a fun filled two days.  

Before we get there let's take a look at what the groups are up to:

Charlie 1 have now finished the cow shed, and most of their physical labour and are currently putting their wonderful artistic talents to the test by paining a mural on one of the walls in the village.  The mural will explain in picture form the virtues of bio gas so that the local community and visitors to the model village can have an even better understanding of the concept.  Mark our Country Director, and Claire our photographer will travel there on Thursday to take part in the opening ceremony, a fitting way to end what has been an incredibly successful project.  It will be Thursday that the cows are presented to the village, marking a significant change in their current and future income levels.  Well done Charlie 1 you have made us extremely proud and reminded us that we can make a difference even in a very short time.

Charlie 3 - I will keep this brief only because a whole new post is coming your way later today following a recent loop visit.  The fieldbase team had a fabulous day which included, among other things, a Victorian picnic and sports day.

Echo 4 - Having cleared much of the land in preperation for the elephant proof fence, the team have now focused their attentions on digging holes for the fence post.  They have 50 to do before they leave on Thursday, current count is 12!  Maybe we should show them the hole that Charlie 1 built for inspiration.  The group had a day off on Saturday, and bless them they went in search of water for a swim.  Just a quick six hour round trip. Very impressive.  They had to take the next day off to recover (no just joking) Because their site is so remote, the group will need to spend a day or two carrying in the materials for the fence.  Local people will join them on the chain gang which needs to extend 2kms up the hill.  This is the place to be if you want to improve your fitness levels quickly.   

Echo 5 - life by the river continues as only life by a river can!!  We are green with envy everytime we speak to Echo 5 who continue to 'live the dream'  Digging is on their agenda here as well, they have to begin the Elephant Proof Trench, which for future reference should you ever find yourself in the position of needing to dig one, should be 3 metres deep, 2 metres wide at the bottom and 1 metre wide at the top so that it resembles a piece of cheese.  Speaking of cheese, the group have mastered the New Zealand hungi method of cooking, and are baking some fabulous bread - which they serve with cheese and tomato - how very civilised. 

Tango 6 - hooray!!!  Have finished the trekking phase of their adventure, (that's 200km and the second highest peak in India outside the Himalayas - but who is counting) and today will head to the river where they will first build their own bamboo raft and then navigate on down for two days.  What a way to end what has been a fabulous journey through the beautiful Kerala.  The group will spend their last two nights at the beautiful Hornbill Camp, before undertaking their 1.5 day journey back to us here.

Tango 7 - hooray!!! Have not finished trekking - but have finished their stint in the jungle.  They are now just a few kilometres from Mangalore and the beach where their epic adventure will come to an end on the Arabic Sea.  The final day in the jungle involved a 1200 climb in a couple of hours, where the group reached Telacauvery the source of the Cauvery river.  The group will spend a well deserved 2 day rest at the beach before returning by train on Thursday night. 

Fieldbase - here we are getting ready for a busy couple of days (and hiding all Haribo remnants!)  On that note there has been a question about sending parcels.  Please allow me to clarify.  The problem with parcels is that sometimes they get caught in customs and we never see them or sometimes they get caught in customs and we get sent a note requesting that the person the parcel is addressed to go and sign for the parcel.  Given that venturers and most staff are out for 98% of their stay here, this is logistically impossible especially when one considers the intereting processes that one encounters in the post office here in India (it takes us between 2 to 4 hours everytime we visit to send the letters from the guys).  The solution - small parcels seem to get through - I probably wouldn't risk sending anything of any value, and I happen to have inside information that parcels containing gifts to Fieldbase volunteers get through in record time - random I know but there is no explaining some things here. 

So back to our busy couple of days, the groups as you know will return on Friday, they will spend some time in Mysore and experience some creature comforts ie internet, pizza etc before returning here to Fieldbase for the much anticipated skit competition.  Never have I heard such a buzz surrounding the skits, I suspect it has to do with the prize - hot showers and an English breakfast served by Fieldbase for the winning team.  We will have a party that night and then Saturday after some well deserved chill time, venturers and staff will get ready to do it all again.  Allocations of new groups will be at lunch time, and then its packing and preparing for all before a final night BBQ, slideshow and campfire. 

I can't wait to see everyone and I know that they are desperate to see each other and catch up on the last 3 weeks.  I know that some will be sad to say goodbye to their first group.  The friendships and bonds that are formed here are just another part of the Raleigh magic, they never cease to amaze and really inspire me. 

So that's it folks, trust you are all well - quick weather check - it's hot and dry, very hot and very dry.

Namaste
Anna