Here we go loop de loop

The teams have not long been gone and it was already time for a few of us to head out on the first loop visit to see how they’re settling in, hand over their blog messages and have a good old catch up over some chai. So Julia, Becca and I packed up the Bravo and headed off on Friday morning to Tamil Nadu as our first stop was the village of Vellary to see the guys from Charlie 1.

On the way we had a very exciting moment as we saw a group of three wild elephants whilst driving through the national park, an amazing sight.

A mother with her two young children.

The drive through to the village of Vellary was just stunning, as was the village itself. We all attended the opening ceremony where Vijay from our project partner, CTRD, introduced the team to the villagers.

Vijay introducing the new Raleigh group to the villagers.

Outside one of the village homes where they were drying coffee beans.

Charlie 1 raring to go
Back row L - R - Stuart (PM), Dharmendra, Danielle, Ben, Kannan, Philip
Front Row - L-R - Samantha, Laura, Rachel, Clare, Ed, Fieke, Eeva (PM), Scott.

The local villagers that we'll be working alongside.

Fieke and Ed get down with the kids.

Scott, Ed, Fieke and Danielle are welcomed into one of the homes.

Stuart looking out over the river near the camp.

The villager and the land next to his house where we'll be installing the bio-gas system.

After saying our farewells to the group, we headed over to the offices of CTRD (The Centre for Tribals and Rural Development Trust) where we’d be staying for the night. The setting of the offices is just stunning with a view out to the ‘dolphin’ mountains.

The next morning, we headed out with Mr Ranganathen, who set up CTRD in 1988, to their new hospital for tribal villagers that was built by a Raleigh group from Singapore and opened in 2009. It’s run by one doctor and a group of nurses and other medics that volunteer their time.

Becca, Mr Ranganathen and Julia at the hospital

The hospital

It was then time to head out to a few of the villages that Raleigh have worked in previously to see how the projects are being used.

First stop was the tribal village of Ealamanna where Julia and her team had  worked in 2009 for a few weeks installing 32 toilets.

Passing the tea plantation on the way into the village

Julia and Becca walking into the village.

One of the toilets built by Raleigh in 2009.

Julia with one of the families she worked alongside in 2009.

We then traveled on to Kudimery, another beautiful tribal village in the mountains where three bio-gas units were installed last September.

The Raleigh cows in their sheds that were built in September still showing the remains of the opening ceremony decorations.

The slurry from the cows goes from the shed into a bio-gas unit next to it which then produces four hours of gas a day for the family house to use instead of having to build fires within the home for cooking.

One of the villagers showing us how her biogas cooker works as she cooked up some rice for lunch.

Some of the other tribal villagers in Kudimery who now have biogas units at the back of their house.

The tribal village house with the cow shed and biogas unit at the back.

After leaving the kids hanging up the tree is was time to start the three hour drive to meet up with Tango 6 at their camp at Thirunelli in Kerala.

Some of Tango 6 enjoying dinner cooked by Alex and Phil.
Round the table from L - R - Clare, Jonathan, Jessica, Alex, Sam, Maddie, Simone, Thatte, Sarah, Binika and Rob

  

Stuart (PM) tucks in, we're still not quite sure what he was eating though...

Thatte and Ameze

Driver Manju and Becca logs with the three trek guides from our project partner Muddy Boots.

Here’s the news of what Tango 6 have been up to over the last couple of days courtesy of their team member Binika Liu...

T6! T6! T6!

Everyone is agreed that being chosen to be part of T6 with PMs Stu and Susan is a privilege!  Our team spirit and enthusiasm is second to none!

Day 1

Our first day began with a really fun bus journey to our trekking experience. Before arriving to campsite one, we had a trip by raft to an island in Kerala – we were well up for it – we all grabbed out water bottles and Parle G biscuits and we were off. We saw a variety of wild animals including elephants, deer and wild boars! Ending up swimming in the river - absolutely fabulous! We then just had to taste the local food which was served on the traditional banana leaf, amazing!

We arrived at our starting point, made our pasta  and tuna for fifteen, then all lay on the grass around the camp fire with full tummies only to be greeted by a SHOOTING STAR - one word AMAZING!

Day 2 - ... Aint no mountain high enough! 
Going into trekking with a bang – we were thrown right in at the deep end with an uphill climb through the jungle with our 20kg backpacks. We definitely as T6 had team spirit to go on and pursue the dream. However, when those thighs start burning, your thighs are burning!

We emerged from the jungle to some amazing picturesque scenes only seen on the discovery channel! After taking 50 million photographs, we arrived at the Demon mountain, or so we all thought, it was Demon’s brother! Literally a 90degree angle mountain. We braced ourselves and we were determined to conquer, grabbing on to plants, soil and stones almost grasping for the top – we arrived 1600meters above ground, we embraced the beauty of what was before us, breathtaking. The sense of achievement was overwhelming that every single member of our team reached the top of the summit, cheering T6, yes we had conquered.

Day 3

Porridge for breakfast, which was different you know, bit of sugar, jam and jobs a good one! Full of energy we began trekking through the long grassland for 3km then arrived at the cave!

This cave is nothing you have ever seen, you feel yourself looking in every corner, at every stone, meandering around each crack, behind secret hiding places. We climbed up and down wherever we could go and finding a bat cave, keeping quiet and sitting observing, it was amazing to see bats in their natural habitat – fascinating. Once emerged from the cave, we climbed on top of it and sat and ate, yes more Parle G biscuits and possibly also a few peanut bars. The view was spectacular. Almost got blown off by the wind but don’t worry we all managed to stay put.

Final note from Binika ‘The crack in T6 is IMMENSE’

So sounds like they’re having a whale of a time and, apart from a few blisters, they all seemed very well and happy last night.

We all stayed at the camp and said cheerio at 6 this morning as we headed back to field base for a quick stop off before we head back out tomorrow to see Charlie 2, Echo 3 and Echo 4 over the next three days. I’ll bring you all the news from them when we return.

Whilst on our trip I collected some more messages from the guys to you back at home...

From: Clare Evans

To: Penny Evans

Hi Mum! Hope everything’s ok at home.  Currently on my first project where we’re building a bio gas unit and part of a house in a small village near the Kerala/Tamil Nadu border.  Weather is amazing as is the scenery.  Can you wish Jack a very happy birthday from me – there’ll be some letters in the post.  Can you send the one for him onto him at uni?  Hug the animals for me.  Love you!  Clare xxx

From: Dhamendra Patel

To: Mum and Dad

I sent you a postcard yesterday and I just got your blog message today but just in case you don’t get the postcard, yes I am loving it here!  I know Amit must be getting so bored at home. Keep on looking at the blog.  Tell Ba and Bapujee and Rupa and everyone else I said hello and I’m having a blast. Love from Dhamu

From:  Samantha Anderson

To: Everyone

Thanks everyone for all your messages, I’m loving hearing from you all so keep them coming.  Am now in Vellary in Tamil Nadu – will be starting on the bio gas units tomorrow.  We have built the long drop and the shower and they’re looking good.  Can’t write loads to each of you individually but I love and miss all of you.  Glad Shelby is better.  El – glad you’ve not replaced me yet.  Nan and Grandad – the angels are doing their job.  Tash – get your bum out here.  Ish – what is a langur?  Love you all so so much!! Xxxxxx  Miss you all loads xxxxxxx

From: Philip de Koning

Hee allemaal. Ik ben veilig aangekomen en na een paar dagen introductie aangecomen bij het project: oouw van bio-gas eenhewen.  All-es is goew, moet nu stoppen.  Liefs, Philip

From:  Sam Ummat

To:  Joanna

Having an absolutely amazing time!  The views are soooo unreal!  Already seen elephants and tiger tracks! I am loving it sooo much and made so many friends and I have never seen a more beautiful place!  Climbed a 1600m mountain yesterday!  I miss you loads, but Raleigh is amazing!!  Love Sam XOXO

From:  Sarah Churlish

To : Steve Churlish

Hey family, thanks for all the messages.  It’s really nice to hear from you in amongst the hectic life here.  I’ve just had the last one delivered today after a day of trekking and exploring bat caves!  I’m exhausted but still having fun.  It’s really challenging – all that preparation in Langley didn’t seem to make much difference – but my team is really good so all’s well.  I hope you’re enjoying sunny Durham, its about 30c+ here.  Tonight we’re actually staying in a building with beds AND running water.  Keep checking the blog, I’ll be back at fieldbase in a few weeks so can get more messages then.  Much love, Sarah xxxxx

From:  Simone Slagboom

To: Ton & Bernadette Slagboom

Lieve Papa en Mama tiedereen die dit leest, ik kan nu een berichtje terug schrijven wat de PM’s zullen over typen.  Maar hier gaat alles heel goed gister hebben we een hele lange eerste trip gemaakt van guur.  We zyn van 800 meter naar 1600 meter geklommen en vandaag zyn we door een hele diepe grot gegaan.  En elke avond kamp vuur.  Hoop dat bij jullie alles goed gaat, ik mis jullie wel hoor!  Heel veel kusjles ik hou van jullie  xxx Simone

From: Sam Ummat

To:  Mum, Dad, Ben, Alice and Max!

Hi guys! On the trek atm and it is unbelievable!  The views are so so so unreal!  Having the time of my life and made loads of amazing friends.  Climbed a 1600m mountain yesterday and already seen elephants and tiger tracks!  Miss you loads and thanks for all the messages.  Raleigh’s amazing!!  Love you loads Sam xxxoxxx

From: Meh/Amz

Hey (To my family and friends).  It’s been a week now but it feels like a month!  I am having so much fun and I’m doing things that i never imagined.  The views are like something out of a travel brochure, so surreal and amazing.  The weather is great and our food rations are... Interesting! (Porridge every day, then a lovely choice between noodle or cold rice for lunch).  The treks are difficult, very long and energy consuming – but still great fun.  (Never thought I would like walking so much) – My trek group is great ( Tango 6 – Woop!) So everyday so far has been exciting and filled with surprises.  My backpack is still going strong but my boots have been slippery (slipped down the hill more than ten times!)  Hope to hear from you soon.  Take care of yourselves :>   Love Meh/Amz   P.S 7 days and still no diarrhoea!