Morning folks from a very busy field base! It's our last full day together today so we're all making the most of the last of our time all together as the full expedition team. Sad days indeed. But before I get all emotional on you again I wanted to ask for your help with a little something and don't worry it doesn't involve money this time.
We're having our last supper together tonight and it's going to be a formal Indian dinner with us dressed up in our finery for once instead of the grubby t-shirts and shorts that we're usually sporting.
We're having our last supper together tonight and it's going to be a formal Indian dinner with us dressed up in our finery for once instead of the grubby t-shirts and shorts that we're usually sporting.
I wanted to pin up some quotes at dinner from the teams' friends and family about your thoughts on the expedition and everyone's hard work as a little something for them to take away with them. So if you did have any kind words to say about the teams' efforts which have been incredible over the last ten weeks then it would be amazing if you could post them as comments on this blog and I'll be able to use them tonight. I'm sure they will lead to smiles all round.
Thank you and back soon with more updates from all the action.
Whole Raleigh Team - Really awesome guys! absolutely great what you are doing and great the way you do it. You've made a big difference to peoples lives (locals and the visitors). Give yourselves a big pat on the back. I followed the blog most days with great interest and I cannot express how valuable that was to us at home. Thanks for that!!! good luck for the next one, Steve Churlish. (Say hello to Sarah, we have missed her loads).
ReplyDeleteDear Wieger, fellow venturers and volunteers,
ReplyDeleteHi Wieger, het was fantastisch je zondag te horen én te zien. We verheugen ons erg op jouw thuiskomst.
Now some in English. As family we have followed the India 2011 expedition closely and were super happy to read new blogs once or twice a week over the past 10 weeks. We are amazed by the results you guys have reached and the good work you have been able to offer the communities in Southern India. The differences between week 1 and week 10 were considerable, looking at the photo's that were posted. Constructions arose out of 'nowhere; fresh clothes looked torn (and very dirty) after intense wear and tear; bodies seemed tanned (or darker somehow); smiling faces continued to smile, and fatigue slowly built in those same smiley faces.
We are proud, happy and extremely jealous; from day one to the very end. In order to be joining you in the overall experience we have built our own long drop with blue tarpaulin at home. We don't know about you, but we still think it is not the most comfortable thing. Anyway, you lot can be extremely proud of yourselves. We rate you hero's!!
David, Dick en Margé van Rinkhuyzen, the Netherlands
To the members of 11A:
ReplyDeleteWell, it's been quite a ten weeks.
You've laughed, you've cried
You've moved tonnes of sand and soil
Dug hundreds of metres of trenches
Done things you always thought you could do but never had the courage to try
Done things you never wanted to do and never wanted to try
Seen things that will stay with you forever and things you'd really rather forget!
You've made friends that will last you a last time and you've worked with people you never thought you would.
From a Raleigh veteran here's a word of advice:
Stop. Take a moment and look around you. Breathe in the Indian air and let it fill your lungs. Look at the people around you and think about all that you have done in India in the past ten weeks. Know that these are the moments that you will remember for the rest of your life.
You've been part of something truly incredible, welcome to the Raleigh family!
xxx
To David Gutteridge Echo4
ReplyDeleteHi Dave
Just to say WELL DONE!!
To be honest, we all wondered how '2 showers a day David' would manage roughing it for 7 weeks but you seem to have taken it all in your stride. From what we've read on the blog, you and everyone else have achieved some very worthwhile tasks and enjoyed it into the bargain. Can't be bad!
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, enjoy your last days.
Dad
Hi there Ed Hadrill
ReplyDeleteLoooks like you've had an amazing time over there! Enjoy the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to see you on the 21st. ( Please don't wear that skirt on the plane back !! )
Love Colin and Caza xx
This was not easy but you did it!! There is nothing better than giving your time to others. Thank you for making us so proud of you!
ReplyDeletePierre and Peggy
Katy Star Stocker
ReplyDeleteHi Honey
I hope you are enjoying your last meal meal together. I am really proud of what you have have achieved, you must have had some very difficult times as well as some amazing ones. I think that you are all a great example to the rest of us. I am really looking forward to seeing you. I found this funny bit of verse that expresses the sentiment in some of those blog messages that I have been reading. I hope it makes you smile!
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quitting,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it!
I love you loads, see you soon.
Dad
James Bell Tango 6
ReplyDeleteJames, your Dad & I just wanted to tell you how immensely proud we are of you as well as everyone that have participated in Raleigh India. It must feel extremely rewarding to have completed the demanding challenges set before you where it takes such perseverance to get through each challenge. It must feel uplifting to know that you have helped other people less fortunate than yourselves and to have formed new friendships on the way, but most of all satisfying that you have faced the unknown and conquered your fears and that everything in life is possible. May your future efforts be equally successful and rewarding and your achievements are an example to us all. James enjoy the rest of your trip & keep safe, we can’t wait to see you give you a big hug! xxx
To Ellie B, Team Tango 5 et al.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say, after following ALL the teams' efforts, hard work and hopefully good fun in all the blogs, postings and photographs over the past 10 weeks, that how amazed I have been to see so many of your smiling faces whilst involved in the various projects. Probably the reward for you all has been to experience the environment in which the incredible people of this country live in and to be on the receiving end of their amazing hospitality.
To be able to see the gratitude on their faces as a direct result of what you have created for them, is I believe payment enough.
I am sure you you will have forged many friendships over these past weeks and this whole experience will remain an endearing memory for many years to come.
Well done to you all.
You should be so very proud of what you have achieved.
xxxxx
A message for George Kemp
ReplyDeleteGeorge, We're very proud to think that you must by now have conquered your fear of huge, dusty, flapping, beady-eyed MOTHS.
We're very proud to know you've made it through seven tough weeks - enjoy the rest of your travels.
All our love, Mum Dad, Ralph, Annie and Maddie.
xxx
In a world where so much today is about 'take' and 'rights' and so many people are only busy looking after themselves, it is wonderful and heartwarming to know that a great group of young people are prepared to give up 10 weeks of their time for the good of others less fortunate. What comes across in the blogs and messages is the incredible enthusiasm, dedication combined with a happy disposition and a sense of fun! Our son Rob (Robert to us!) tells us "I have had the time of my life" and I'm sure this is reflected many times over even if most venturers don't talk as much or somehow loose an eyebrow!!
ReplyDeleteWe are sure you will never forget this experience and it will make you better prepared for the challenges of 'normal' life in the future.
Well done to all and Thank you to Raleigh!!!
Safe travels!!
to sean cullinane(expedition dinner party)
ReplyDeletei would to thank everybody for looking after all the team groups and for keeping us updated hope you have a great celebration dinner thank you Raleigh from john,june,colleen cullinane
To all the team - well done for all the hard work and determination and, for looking after each other. I hope the friendships you've made will last a lifetime. Many thanks for the blog which has made us feel involved too; we will miss that. Enjoy the rest of your stay, Ganga, and keep safe.
ReplyDeleteTo
To Scott Rae and the rest of the Raleigh team.
ReplyDeleteWell the supper/party tonight! You've done it...Well done everybody especially you Scott who went out there to prove yourself and you've certainly done that, so nothing else will be a problem. Dad and I are sooo impressed how you have tackled all that has been put in front of you and still seem to be smiling! Raleigh..Thank you for making this opportunity available to these young people - they will all return more confident more rounded adults with new amazing life experiences and new friends with whom these experiences have been shared.
See you in "cool" Glasgow on Wednesday, Scott.
Well done all of you.
Marjorie & Peter Rae
Hi Sheena J, and all the Raleigh adventurers,
ReplyDeleteJust to say, you all should be really proud of what you have acheived, i'm sure it was hard work, but hope loads of fun was also had!
We are all extrememly proud of you, and I can't wait to hear about your adventures when you get back, (especially those involving Ooty :) )
Have a safe journey home!
Alpa (and all Sheena's fans) xx
Anne Smith says
ReplyDeleteWell how can I follow all these lovely messages and poetry. Just to say I am immensely proud of all of you especially my son Richard. It has been an amazing time for you, one you will always remember and I cant wait to here more about it. Well done to all the venturers and to Raleigh.
To all of you at Raleigh (with a special hi to one Miss Emily Howell!) -
ReplyDeleteWhat you have done in the last three months is incredible. You should all be truly proud of what you have achieved, not only for the people of India, but for yourselves too. To be able to create homes and units for better living, literally from the ground up is absolutely astonishing...it makes me realise that sitting here, on a sofa, with a laptop, i take my surroundings and things for granted, and it is projects like this that make you realise how wonderful people can be to the others in the world that really need it. I am in awe of you all, and congratulate you highly for all that you have done.
I am sure you will keep the memories of this time for the rest of your life...and probably the toning it's done to all your muscles too!!!
Enjoy your last night, have fun and give yourselves a MASSIVE round of applause.
From, Gretel.
ps, Emily...can't wait to see you!!!!
A message for Louisa Mohsen and all the volunteers
ReplyDeleteWhat you have been doing over the last 10 weeks has been amazing and I am full of admiration for all of you. I have really enjoyed reading about the projects you have worked on and looking at the photos. It has been an education for me! I think you will always remember this experience and whatever happens to all you lovely young people in the future, nobody can take this away from you. I am sure your time in India helping others and learning all sorts of new skills is something that will stand you in good stead for all the challenges that life will throw at you in the future both personally and professionally. But more importantly you have played a big part in making a real improvement to other people's lives and that is something to be really proud of.
Well done and enjoy your last supper! Oh and Louisa, I guess curry will be off the menu for a while when you get home!!
To Katy Star and EVERYONE (but especially Katy Star...)
ReplyDeleteYou've all done such incredible work...looking back over the last few weeks, to see what you've created with your hard work and deication is inspirational.
And one of the really wonderful things is...YOU'RE ALL STILL SMILING!!!
A message for Louisa Mohsen from her Mum and Ben via Aunty Geraldine!
ReplyDeleteLouisa, your mum is working at the moment and nowhere near a computer and this needs to be sent quickly due to the time difference. So she asked me to send you a message of love and support on behalf of her and Ben. They can't wait to see you again and are both really proud of you.
xxxxxx
Martyn Parry Echo 4
ReplyDeleteA big thank you to everybody at Raleigh for keeping us all up to date with the venture rs exploits and achievements and a special thank you to Kathryn for her excellent photographs it made us at home feel a part of the expedition Paz's henna tatto's reminded us of his drawings on the wallpaper when he was younger,Congratulations to everybody on completing a challenging but worthwhile expedition, India are cricket world champions for 2011 but in our eyes RALEIGH INDIA 11A are
world champions, may I suggest a chorus of Queens we are the champions.
Looking forward to seeing you soon
Paz (Martyn to us )
Love Mum & Dad xxx
To all the Raleigh Team
ReplyDeleteHope this gets to you on time. Have a wonderful last supper - you are all amazing and what you have is just wonderful. You can all feel very proud of yourselves. I bet you will all miss each now and hope you can keep in touch
love to you all
Mary and Ruth (Becky's mum and sister)
To Jenny Muir (comms)
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of all your hard work and know we have been lucky to 'hear your voice' in the blogs as you have written about all the projects and adventures. Your work has been appreciated by all the families and friends and along with all the photos will be something everyone returns to, to remind themselves of just how hard they worked and what an incredible time they had. lasting friendships will have been formed and hopefully good times await you all on your onward travels.
All our love and take care Mum & Dad xxxxxxx
To Louisa Mohsen:
ReplyDeleteBabe,
You have done sooooo well and I'm so proud! As my mum has always said, you're a survivor and you've so proven this to be true. I've loved logging onto the blog for the updates and the photos - I remember seeing that first one of you when you arrived at the airport. Every single photo of you shows you looking very beautiful and happy. I can't wait to see you.
I hope this experience has given you the chance to prove to yourself how strong and what perseverance you have inside of you.
Enjoy the travelling...and look after your skin!!
Lots of love,
Lucy xxxx
I could never have imagined what the trip was going to be like and what my daughter would face and what the people she would meet would be like. The amazing blogs and photos have shown so much from day 1. Thank you so much for sharing the fabulous experience with all of us. I defy anyone who has followed the blog, to not want to be part of the whole trip,
ReplyDeleteI know Georgi will have learned and gained so much from this last 10 weeks, but I do hope that she will not have changed completely! Thank you again to all of you who have done so much to organise such a wonderful experience and for lookng after my girl.
Hi Louisa
ReplyDeleteWe are immensely proud of you. Well done for completing all 3 ventures. Thank you to the project managers who have looked after you and to the staff on field base who have kept the blog and supplies going, and to all the venturers who have kept you company and to the Indian people who have welcomed you and given you hospitality. The whole Raleigh experience seems to be an incredible feat of stamina and and inspiring exchange of culture. Congratulations for everything you have achieved and enjoy a well deserved rest. Miss you Louisa and hope you can ring soon. Love Mum and family xx
A message for Elliott Leishman and all volunteers.
ReplyDeleteWe would like to say a very big thank you to Raleigh for all the blogs, and beautiful pictures. It has helped us to keep in touch.
The work that has been carried out in these communities is something you all should be very proud of, and may it continue for a long time. We have missed our son Elliott very much, but we are extremely proud and know that this experience will stay with him forever. Happy travelling after Raleigh. Love Mum & Dad
Hoping to catch the last dinner and send this message to congratulate you all on such a huge spectrum of fantastic achievements.. It has been so wonderful to get a glimpse of just some of your hard work and adventures on the blog (thank you Raleigh). Memories and friendships that will last a lifetime and so impressively you have really made a difference wherever you have been. Something that will last forever. We toast you. Hat's off. Chapeau.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia's Z's Mum x
We are so truly thankfull having an organisation such as raleigh to enable these young people to have such an amazing life experience and one which will never be forgotten. The organising must be a real challenge and we as parents felt safe in the knowledge that our daughter Bryony Wilde was going with you. Congratulations on undertaking the trek ,it must have been tough Bry ,and we never want to hear you say I don't like walking again.!!! We are immensely proud of you and the opportunities that have been available to you all . A special heartfelt thanks to the V M 's and photographers. Without these and the blogs would have been a worrying time.Also thankyou to the team in the london office /PIP who saved BRYONYS' BACON several times!!!! Keep going Raleigh International ,you are ACE !!!
ReplyDeleteReached the end of this awesome adventure
ReplyDeleteAmazing memories to cherish forever
Lots of new life-long friends
Eaten a LOT of curry!
Incredible work has been done by all
Greatly appreciated by a huge number of people
Hot hot hot!!!
India has been challenging but rewarding
Now a family have a brand new home
Trekking for days in a beautiful country
Elephants delighted with their new trenches
Rest is what you need now
Not before one last big party
A time for you all to reminisce
To end it all, a 10K run
Impressed doesn't even cover it
On Wednesday you'll be back
Need to catch up on all the goss from home
Astounding, amazing, awesome and awe-inspiring
Lots of love from Jen & Nic (Scott's sisters)
2 India they went
0 idea what to expect
1 superb group of people
1 trip of a lifetime!
To: Everyone at 11A
ReplyDeleteFrom: Dharmendra
Judging by the time difference, you guys would have already finished your last supper by the time this gets posted. But just in case its not too late for you all to see this, I just want to say that after following what you've all been up to since I got back home, I'm just so impressed with the work everyone has achieved.
I bet the 10k run was a challenge itself let alone building, digging and trekking in the heat.
This is my last blog. I'm going to miss writing to you lot. Never written to anyone via blog before this expedition. It's been really cool.
I'm so proud of everyone. We definitely made our mark on India. GO 11A!! :D
Alice Corby
ReplyDeleteI guess your fab dinner has been and gone by now so I was unable to post you a message , but I am very proud of you and glad that you finished the trek and looking forward to seeing you after your travels . keep safe lots of Love mum xx
To all at Raleigh India
ReplyDeletewell done for all your hard work over the last ten weeks. I'm sure that it has been an experience of a life time. A particular thanks for all who contribute to the blog site, without whom we would not be able to keep in touch. It's been great to follow all the action.
We can't wait to hear more tales from your adventures!
Best wishes and safe onward journies to all!
the Conquests
James bell and to all raleighers.
ReplyDeleteHi James! I don't know whether this message is too late to get to you in time for dinner but I figured you'd all like to read it at some point! I wanted to say well done to everyone on all of your projects. I'm sure you all realise the immense changes you've made to other people's lives and you should all feel
so proud of yourselves!! Hopefully you can all meet up together once you're all back as I'm sure you'll all miss each other soon enough!! James, although I've missed you loads, I'm so happy to see that you've had an amazing time and I'm looking forward to hearing all about it in more detail and to see the photos!! Enjoy the rest of your time with everyone and see you very soon!!! Lots of love!!! Xxxxxxxx
Also to all raleigh staff and managers - a massive thank you for organising everything and making it all possible for venturers to have to best time. And thank you for updating the blog for us lot back at home and passing on the messages to our loved ones and back. it's been a pleasure to read!! Xxx
to philip de koning and all Raleigh 11a
ReplyDeleteIt's been a great pleasure following your terrific work, both managers and venturers!
I bet you're going to miss all this.
Have a good ending of the expedition together, safe journey home or following adventures.
Many thanks for all the lovely stories and for keeping us so well informed!!
En Philip, bel je snel?
Raleigh and its legend reputation hasn't been going for 26 years without good reason - and now we have the privilege of discovering through our daughter Brookie's first hand experiences - which beyond the blog we eagerly await to hear more about - the true reasons for the success of the organisation. We salute you all for your dedication, commitment and genuine will not only to want to make a difference but to deliver, and the fact that teamwork is key to all this is a credit to each volunteer and their local and international members of the support group: medics, PMs, comms, admin, drivers, negotiators, logistics - and all those I have not mentioned! Thank you for providing a wonderful opportunity for what will undoubtedly provide lifelong memories of a most rewarding experience - with challenges both practical and personal which have been overcome, and best of all from Charlie 1 Phase 2 (not forgetting Tango 6 phase 3) the legacy of a newly built house for a tribal family and a cowshed on the side! Thanks too to Pip - always at the end of the phone or email in London, who provided the encouragement, information and reassurance much needed at the outset and throughout the expedition , which contributed to the memorable experience of being part of India 11A. Well done Georgia, we're mighty proud of you - and all your fellow volunteers. With love from all the Brookies
ReplyDeleteto sean cullinane
ReplyDeletehi ya sean hope you enjoyed your chinese meal hope the last message did'nt embarras you to much(lol)this will be the last message because you will be coming home soon, dont forget to text
on train xx
message to Ellie Jayne Burton,
ReplyDeleteHey Elliejellie, I hope i've written this in time! I know ur Raleigh days are coming to an end! It must be quite a feeling, I've no doubt this whole experience has been 'sick' in every meaning of the word :ppp.
I've been having a bit of a facebook dialog with Jeanette and shes given all the goss on you and your plans, u matriarch of india and showerer of waterfalls and king fishers! And u and do-er of crazy treks (i bet that trek along the wyyle (can't spell, but u know where i mean!) feels like childplay now... I hope ur journey to Goa goes well :), don't be away to long tho... who else can sing about a lack of maps with!!??! Missing you like limb
Mai
p.s the photo in the blog (the 1 that went in article thing) is IMMENSE!! U gotta frame and sign that!! I'm surprised Raleigh havnt signed u up yet as "the face" of the organisation :D, seriously beautiful 'thousand word' picture!
A message for Jonathan Williams, sorry im not sure what group he is in, couldn't quite make heads or tails of the group thing...
ReplyDeleteThe Jdaaaaad! btw, pls tell me your m8s in india have adopted that 'nickname' aswell. euh its been about a month that ive been trying to find this, but was just on skype with lance a minute ago and he guided me through it. Kind of wasted considering you are coming to the end now, but neways.. Hope everything is going well. From the looks of your last msg you are loving it! What date are back on exactly? cos i'm bk on the 10th of may, need to get a crusty night or 2 planned. All is sweet in france, nothing too exciting going on, but bants all the same. What you got planned for the next couple of weeks cos heard of lance that you are staying on or sumthin? hope you get this msg
From Danger
to the Raleigh Staff
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for all you have done. It was great to be able to follow the expedition from week to week. Well done, what a good job. And what a goor experience for all the venturers.
So again: thank you!!
Family Fieke Haak
samantha anderson
ReplyDeletehi hope you enjoyed your last meal, got message to late to post on time, we are all very proud of what you nave achieved,experience off all sorts some you thought you could`t do, some hard some easy, tears,laugther, lots of memories,you did them all, well done, can`t wait to see on 27 april
have fun travelling :)
love you lots and miss you
see you in 3 weeks tomoro !!!
xxxxx
well done to all of 11A! :)
Well done Louisa!! It's so great you've had this amazing experience and reckon you'll come back with a refreshed outlook on life. So proud of everything you've achieved man! Cannot wait for your return, so so much you have to tell me about your adventures... Also can't wait for your phonecall, but understand it's difficult with us both not being in our hometown! Miss you lots.
ReplyDeleteChiara xxxxxxxxxx