This is Zero, comms check over....

The Alpha groups have now all been in their new homes for three days and have settled in well.  Field base get regular updates each morning and evening from them.  There is always much anticipation and excitement about what they have to say. 

Each morning the groups must call in with a "comms check".  This is to ensure their phone has good reception.  It is especially important for the Tango groups who are always on the move.  Other messages can also be passed on; we have started recieving a number of riddles since starting the craze ourselves!

In the evening a SITREP (situational report) is performed.  This is a much more formal communication which gives the field base team lots of information about how the projects are going.  The SITREP is broken up into a number of sections to make it clear in case reception is poor.  Each section has a special prefix such as Serial Bravo (place name or map reference) or Serial Delta (progress to date).  If the group has a place name to spell they mush use the phonetic alphabet.  My name would be Sierra Uniform Sierra Alpha November.... a bit of a mouthful!

Each venturer will have an opportunity to complete a SITREP while out on phase.  This can be more fun for some that others as it can be a bit daunting!  However we always look forwards to recieving them and guessing who is on the other end of the phone.

A number of lucky field base staff will soon be departing on loop to check out how each Alpha group is going.  Echo three has already had a visit from Del, who was kind enough to bring enough Coke and Mars bars to satisfy eveyones needs.

Rachel and John have set off with banoffee pie to see Tango six.  They are hoping to celebrate our first 10k Raleigh birthday as Kane Grennan is turning 18.  They will also be delivering all your lovely blog messages and hoping to get some replies.

I will be joining Del and Denise for a quick trip to Tango five.  We will be leaving Denise behind to carry on with the trek. We will also be bringing banoffee pie and your blog messages which will be a nice surprise for the group.

After his visit to Tango six John moves onto vist Charlie one.  They have been making great progress and have finished the foundations of their 4th house.  Echo four have also been going great guns and have even had time to pop into the local village to buy some fresh veg and a chicken for a well deserved celebratory meal.

By Doug Meehan and Susan Pollock - Guest bloggers