Echo Two Opening Ceremony

The distance that the final phase of Echo two reached was impressive, at over 50 metres in length, and at least a metre deep virtually everywhere. One extremely tiresome rock had spoilt the party, and I for one (Pete), wondered if it was not a relation to the famous Ayers Rock in the Australian outback. The original target for all three groups had been somewhat optimistic, as there were simply too many layers of rock to dig through, and where it was only mud, was still hard-packed like a concrete Benidorm holiday complex. The villagers lent a hand most days digging and shifting rubble at astonishing rates.

The solar fence posts were painted in a saffron orange that shone like a hundred radioactive satsumas. Work will continue in the next expedition with the required depth needing to be dug down to 2 metres deep and 1 metre wide to stop elephants reaching and eating the village crops.

Kyle, Tom, Scott, and "The Rock" by Taylor's shoulder.

Camp Coco was being stripped when we arrived for the closing ceremony. The Camp Coco fence of branches had been plundered for a final firelight blaze the night before, underneath a star filled canopy of the Milky Way. We wondered what may happen to the camp mascot, a stray dog that Echo Two named Suzy. She had  been on guard duty for the princely sum of a Parle-G biscuit per hour!

The third and final phase of the solar fence and elephant trench project had now come to a close, and we attended the presentation at the small school, with children dressed in some of their smartest bright clothes. I was fortunate to watch the presentation of beautiful jasmine garlands that were handed out, and the applause from the children for all the Raleight volunteers present. I considered myself lucky to be able to spend a full  seven days at the camp site, partaking of the reasonably comfortable outside beds, known as bashas, and toiling away with a pickaxe, digging pole or mamatie, as the group of ants ever so gradually sifted and shifted the rubble. The children were in fine voice as we warmed up prior to the presentations with a singalong of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", followed by Scott leading the "Aroochicha" song, much to the puzzlement of all the local adults. This was closely followed by teaching them a Mexican wave, with mixed results!! Lessons might never be the same again ...

Nick and Anita the two project managers expressed their thanks and appreciation to the villagers kindly translated by the MYKAPS spokesman. Scott then paid a moving tribute to the village that they will pass down this work and these memories to fellow generations.

Representatives from MYKAPS thanked all of the three Echo Two phases for their assistance, help and hard work on the project.

                           

 

The final Echo Two group arrived safely back at field base this morning. Though distant and some 5,000 miles from England, time flew by on this Huskurhardi project, and I'm sure it will long remain as a fond memory, and a privilege to have been part of this experience. Porridge at dawn, digging all morning, then swimming in the lake, games and camp craft in the afternoon, and star-kissed night skys. Priceless ...