The storm before the bigger storm

Hello again, we’re still very busy getting everything sorted out here at field base so that it’s all ready for the arrival of the project managers who arrive on Saturday morning and then the venturers who get here two weeks after that on the 29 January. Soon this place will be home to over 100 people!

Plans are now getting finalised and everyone’s cracking through all those to do list we made at the start of the week, or making a small dent in them at least with the help of some emergency mini-eggs.

Field base is looking fabulous dahlings after having a bit of a makeover. It’s amazing what can be done with some broken chairs, a few bits of material and a spangly cushion as Becca has transformed the side area into a lovely Moroccan cafe area, fabulous!

Breakfast time

As well as sorting out field base and getting all the planning finalised, we’ve also had a chance to get out and about which has been great, even if it did involve being stalked by a cow... more of this later.

On Tuesday afternoon we headed off for a swimming test at a beautiful river close by. 

The river was teaming with fish and then field base staff and we soon drew quite a crowd...

There was also a fantastic temple at the river which we visited after the dip. 

Here’s our Olly, the trek leader from the last expedition who’s been staying here for a few days, telling us the story of the temple...

We all made a mental note not to meditate for longer six years at a time from now on, just in case.

On the way back to field base after the swim, we stopped for some chai and cake and were soon surrounded by all the school kids on their way home who showed us their brilliantly decorated bikes and then waved us off.

It was an incredible experience and it taught me that I need to get some seriously good decorations for my bike when I return to the UK.

Then on Wednesday it was time to head into the local city of Mysore for the first time to run some errands, have a look around and see some very strange cakes...

The Logistics team had were doing their best ‘Apprentice’ impersonations by having to get the best prices on all sorts of items for the expedition from various suppliers so their bartering skills were definitely put to the test during some very lengthy negotiations!

Becca from logistics bartering with 'Harry' who supplies the best biscuits in town along with a lot of our other expedition grub.

Whilst the logs team discussions we going on the rest of us were able to have a wander about and see some of the other sights of Mysore.

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This is when I first noticed the cow causing quite a stir in the busy traffic. He followed us up the road but we cunningly managed to lose him by jumping into one of the narrow alleys. Or so we thought...

Then yesterday it was time for me to head back into Mysore to meet with Shravan, the designer of the expedition magazine. The meeting went well and we're all set to get started on it once all the training has been completed.

Here are some other shots from today...

Teja in the logs room sorting out the kit for the venturers who will be joining us from different parts of India.

The lovely Suma, one of Manglamma's daughters. popped in after school and tried on my hat and sunnies, looking good!

We also held a naming ceremony for our new pets, so we currently have William, Kate and Harry the toads, Peter (Andre) and Kerry (Katona) the GIANT spiders and Sid the cobra who has been known to make an appearance in the logs shed but we're hoping he's away on holiday until mid April.

Crikey that's another epic one, I'll try and keep them shorter in future but there's so much going on it's tricky.Off now to pick up the project managers from Bangalore airport as they arrive first thing tomorrow morning and then we're into two weeks of induction training, can't wait!