10E round-up

We're more than half-way through phase two. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? Meanwhile at field base, it's been busy, busy, busy with plenty of comings and goings. But grabbing the keyboard with intent I (Marie) now bring you the news and messages.

01/08/10 - 13/08/10

Charlie One

Our new bunch of Charlies arrived safely in Koolal tribal village on the 1st August, accompanied by logistics manager extraordinaire, Jen. On the coach journey the group caught a glimpse of elephants. Arriving at the project site they caught sight of a whole lot of mud. The Charlies quickly set about putting tents up and digging trenches around them to keep dry. Attempts to keep clean proved futile and once the group had accpeted that fact, mud fights ensued!

Murugan's birthday on the 3rd August was celebrated with a banoffee pie and games. The next day it was Ben's birthday so a joint birthday party was held with tribal music and a 4kg cake. Earlier, the Charlies soaked up the torrential rain as they laid the foundations for a toilet. A day trip took the group to the Centre for Tribals and Rural Development (CTRD) to see a biogas plant - everyone was happy to escape the mud and to be clean and nicely dressed for a few hours! The Charlies also enjoyed a trip to the town of Sultan Battery in Kerala and a wildlife sanctuary.

Back on the project site a day was spent mixing cement, the floor of the school is near completion and the masons have begun working on the roof.

Messages from Charlie One

Louise

Dear Mum,

It was good to speak to you and Ed yesterday even though it was brief. Forgot to say to Ed please tell Dad I tried to call. Also send my love to Grandma - I hope she is recovering well. I hope Frances is OK too. Lots of love to you all. I am having a good time. Even though we are living in a mud pit I am enjoying the lack of leeches. Speak soon. Missing you all. Love Louise xxx

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Yvette

It's Yvette here! Was good talking to you yous yesterday! Gutted didn't speak to you Michael but I'm happy you managed to tape your TV thing - I was worried it was gonna be Crimewatch lol! Keep writing on the blog, get the packages in and send lots of sweeties! I love you all and missing yous loads and see you in less than 5 weeks!! Big hugs and kisses!

P.S. So proud of my 2 sisters and their smarts! Congratulations on passing your exams girls!

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Natalie

Hiya everyone! Thank you for all my messages, keep them coming. Thanks Lyn for my message good to know your coping without me :-) Nicola I was gutted up you didn't answer the other day, heard you had the kids as well. Bad times. Can I have some more pictures of everyone please, I'm missing you all loads. I'm doing well not got ill yet, and not too bad blisters. Having a great time out here with everyone. Don't worry 'bout me. Love you all, Natalie xxxx xxxx

P.S. Chloe have a sexy holiday and send your juicy goss asap. Love love.

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Happy Birthday Murugan!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Louise and Gemma shifting sand

Yvette, Will and Scott take a break

Taylor and Nat take a breather too

Told you it was muddy

Charlie One jump to it

01/08/10 - 13/08/10

Echo Two

Lucky Echoes inherited a lovely campsite in Huskurhadi which they are putting their own stamp on. The beloved bashas had to be adjusted or reassembled before snooze time and once this task was accomplished the Echoes hot-footed it down to the reservoir for a splish splash. Upon their return they began digging a long drop. You may recall that the previous Echoes won the prestigious Golden Toilet Brush for their long drop artistry. Will Camp Coco's new residents also be flushed with success?

Despite it being monsoon season the group has enjoyed a good spell of hot weather. Cooling off in the reservoir is part of the daily routine, as the group set to work digging trenches at 6am and finishing before midday to avoid toiling during the hottest part of the day. A weekly treat is shopping for vegetables in Sargur for the creation of tasty camp cuisine. On the 2nd August, Camp Coco celebrated Luke's 21st birthday. Mary and Helen made him a tasty birthday cake and he was given a container of assorted sweets from field base.

Well-deserved rest days were spent at the Buddhist Golden Temple and Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, and the Sringapatram Bird Sanctuary.

The Echoes have now dug all the holes for the fencing poles and dug 65m of trench. I had the pleasure of staying with Echo Two for a few days and will publish my memoirs shortly.

Breaking news: An investigation has been launched following the collapse of one of Echo Two's bashas. Unable to withstand a gust of wind it collapsed in a heap. It is not known whether the occupant was on the basha at the time. The victim is none too pleased with the camp craft of the basha's original occupant and is intent on discovering theiridentity. When the suspect was questioned by the comms officer, they responded with peals of villainous laughter.

Messages from Echo Two

Luke

Happy Birthday Ben! Hope you have a great day. Thanks everyone for you messages, I'm having an awesome time now digging elephant trenches in Huskurhadi. Miss you all. Bonjour, Luke x

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Jason

Hello everyone at home, this experience is amazing: at the moment I'm doing the environmental phase where I'm digging elephant trenches, also I'm up at 5am and work at 6 till 11:30am and then I'm chilling out by the reservoir. How's thing at home and write back. See you all soon. Love from Jason x

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Kiana

Archer Hill, my gnarly bandy, I hope you see this message as you coast through the site as I know you are. Hunting for any comments that might be left to you. I got your letter. Great stuff - you rule. Just to let you know, I sent my reply. Hope you get it soon. I know you're in Guyana so it may take a while for you to get it but it's cool. Mean thing about the sandwich from Delicious bit. Mean. It's definately on my list of things to eat when I get back. If I could have one now I would. As my song title goes, "I could if I would but I can't so I won't." Savage stuff. Have fun without me. I'll be back before you know it.

Mom, hey! I finally got that d and v. Getting better though...I think. Stomach still isn't up to par but getting there. See you next month.

Sincerely yours guitarist,

Kiana

P.S. Hey Pa; daddy still thinking of that les paul :-) I've taken a few nice pictures since Inida but nothing too serious. Sometimes I just can't bother though the scenery is lovely.  I hope you are still planning that snowboarding trip but we'll talk more later. Bye, Kiana

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Reuna

Mama! Dea! and friends, missing you all immensely although I'm still taking it all in and think about you all everyday. I'm on the second phase which is environmental where I'm helping to dig large elephant trenches. This phase is not as muddy as community but the rain is still here. Hope your being a good girl Dea, aunty loves and misses you loads. Talk to you soon, take care of yourself Mama xoxo

 Reuna

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Happy Birthday Luke!

Camp cookery with Helen and Mary

Stephen, get out of the long drop!

Off to work they go

An entrenched Reuna and Kiana

01/08/10 - 13/08/10

Tango Three

After 1.5 days travel,  fleet-footed Tango were dropped off in the Silent Valley, a unique preserve of rainforest. Arrivingsafely at Anthony's Camp they were treated to some dinner and yoga - but not at the same time. Buffetted by wind and rain, they summitted Misappulimala the second highest peak in southern India and relaxed as the sun set over the water.Elephants were in the area but they didn't pop in to say hello.

On the 5th August the group journeyed to Lakeside, where they built rafts and floated down the Anaerangal lake.Our intrepid trekkers then embarked on a 24km trek. On completion everyone was tired but happy and a food drop was warmly received as Tango arrived at Shantapara Camp.

The next four days saw the group ramble through the majestsic scenery of Chaturangappara, Pushpakandam, Karunapuram and Swttithuzhi. A rest day followed and then a day out in Kumili, where the group finally got to say hello to elephants. It is not known what the elephants said in return.

This phase the loop (field base's visits to project sites) didn't make it as far as Kerala so unfortunately at this point we currently have photos to share with you. However, messages will be coming through soon and rest assured, Tango Three are having a great time and are as happy as can be.