Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

While the loop crew were out visiting all the project teams there was still a lot going on back here at field base so here's an update created by Polly, Eleri and Una on what they got up to while we were away.

While everyone has been out enjoying their phase, back at field base we were also working hard but also having lots of fun.  Our main contact with the groups was through their calls in the morning and evening when we got to talk to all of them on the phone and find out what they had been up to.  Our day starts with a laugh and a chat with the groups early morning before we commence our work here in the office.

Una caught up with all the paperwork that the venturers completed during their induction which took a very long time to complete!! 

Photo by Eleri.

She has also been very busy getting all the shop goodies sorted for the loop as well as for the changeover.  She is also very good at making all the cups of tea and coffee that keep us going throughout the day. 

Photo by Eleri.

Polly has been very creative and she has been transformed into a DIY guru. She has made a wonderful bench (painted in Bath Rugby team colours if you hadn’t noticed), a work bench in the logs room and some shelves are also now in place with a little advice from Mark (in the instruction of how to wear health and safety gear whilst playing with power tools!). Polly is also an excellent chef and we have dined very well on her creations in the kitchen.

Photo by Polly.

Eleri has been busy sorting out the medical room – thankfully not required for anything so far. She has also had her hair coloured (a mahogany shade) for the first time and is very pleased with the result.  She was also very excited about being able to visiting a couple of groups that are working close to FB and having a swim in Huskarhadi with Echo 4 and Una.

Photo by Una.

We had fun painting the field base meeting area benches bright pink to match the amazing tablecloth and then flowers were painted by each one present here – they now look very bright and colourful.

Eleri's painting looking a bit like a daffodil to me.
Photo by Una.

Theja, Big Manju and Little Manju make their stamp on the benches.
Photo by Jen.

Camp as Christmas!
Photo by Jen

The day ends with one member of the team having the luxury of sleeping in the comms room which has a nice comfortable bed to the envy of the rest of us!!  Now that changeover is only a week away  we are looking forward to getting everyone back in field base to find out all about their adventures during phase one. 

Thanks to the guys for that update, the place is certainly very pink now!

So now the team is all back together at field base, we decided to get in on some of the water action that the project teams had been having, and on a rare afternoon off we headed to the local water park in Mysore. So much fun, so little time.

Polly a bit overexcited.
Photo by Polly.

As we're in India, everyone remains fully clothed when in the water, including full school uniform. Saves so much time on changing!
Photo by Eleri.

Eleri and Una.
Photo by Polly

Becca, Jen, Polly and Una.
Photo by Polly

An underwater Manju.
Photo by Polly

It's time to start the loop all again tomorrow so we'll be out and about until Sunday as we're all heading off to see different teams. Kathryn, Una and I are out for four days to catch up with the teams furthest away. We're spending two days with Charlie 1 in the beautiful Vellary seeing how they're getting on living in the community and building their bio-gas units. And then we're off trekking with the lively Tango 6 for two days so will be great to catch up with them. 


Tango 5 had our Kathryn with them for a whole eight days at the start of the phase, and as they're so far away we won't be able to catch up with them again in person until they return to base on Monday 21 Feb. Through the wonders of modern technology we have been able to get the gossip from them so I'll be posting this up tomorrow morning before we head out, along with some goss from the other teams.


Eleri, Theja, Polly and Becca will be heading out on different daily loop trips to catch up with our friends at Echo 3, Echo 4 and Charlie 2 so there will be more from then again very soon. 


Thanks to those that have sent Kathryn and I messages about the blog, your kind words are greatly appreciated and we're so glad that you're enjoying it. Lord knows each post is epic but we want to make sure we show as many of your friends and family as we can. Also a quick note re the languages, the posts in French and Dutch are all fine so keep them coming and I apologise for the mistakes I am no doubt making when typing out the non-English messages, I hope you can still understand them!


And here's a quick message from Becca Logs...

Hello Mum and Dad and Bean, thought I would send a blog post to see if you can spot it (even though I know you are getting my emails and calls). All is busy here again as we are preparing for the PM’s coming back so I did all the food lay out again. On top of it all so that is good. Off to the local school today to teach the ‘Little Doctors’ that Raleigh has set up there. Speak/email soon. Love you all very much. Becca xxxxx

Dear all Costa Rica 09L and 10B……..hello from India 11A. Hope you are all having a ‘Get out there’ time whatever you are up to. Lots of love to you all. Becca xxxx