Messages From the Loop

Hi all,


Here are all the messages we picked up from the groups on the loop visit. Just a little reminder to let you know that the groups have no access to the internet or the blog while they are out on their projects - but don't worry they get your messages when they return to base and when the loop vehicle goes out. Keep writing to them all as when people receive their messages from home they have the biggest smiles on their faces and there are quite often some happy tears too!


Enjoy!


Fletch x

FOXTROT 1

From: Tristram Castling

Hello to all back home, I am writing to you amazingly from the middle of a tea plantation in Tamil region of India which is beautiful and Dad you will be pleased to hear has elephants that I have seen. Everyone in Foxtrot 1 is cool and get on well which has helped our progress in building the toilets for the local community. Speaking of which we have been welcomed warmly and have surprisingly been treated like celebrities. Thankfully I haven’t been bitted too much by the mosquitos but sadly it seems that the rain has followed me to India, though saying that I have already managed to get a tan that will make Stephie jealous! The food here is non-surprisingly curry to which I must have eaten 14 of a possible 60 curry meals so far, thus I am missing your cooking Mum! Weirdly I have also decided to try and grow a beard so depending on my determination you may possibly pick up a more hairy version of me at heathrow!

Looking forward to seeing you and hoping you are all well.

Love, Tris xxxx

From: Ali Leonard

To everyone at home.

Hello to everyone at home! I tried to send you postcards but forgot to post them, but I am having a really good time. Monsoon season is not as wet as it sounds in the end which is lucky as I have been doing a lot of digging. We are staying in a small house among tea plantations as part of a village for which we are building 11 toilets. The location is very beautiful and the local people are very friendly. My group is great – including Emily which is lucky! Food is also really nice... not bored of curry yet and getting to like the spice I think. Hope you are all well.

Lots of love, Ali xxx

  

From: Katie Roberts

Hey Everyone,

Hope you are all well. Just writing to let you all know that I am having an amazing time, We are currently staying in the middle of a tea platation and have now almost finished digging all 11 toilts for the villages. Now we just have a lot of work to finish all the buildings. As well as the building we have spent lots of time playing cricket with the local children and we went to visit a local tribal hospital.

See you all soon, Katie xxx

PS 1. Happy Birthday Matt, sorry I am not there; hope you have a great day

From: Alex Humphries (3^rd July)

Hi All, Sorry I’ve spent so long to write to you, but its been busy ever since I arrived. It’s my second day of community work and I absolutely love it. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better team on my travels and we are all really good friends. I’ve also made friends with people on other expeditions. I got used to the food (even the porridge) and I really enjoy them. My only regret is that I am not in India for 10 weeks doing all the projects. Enjoy Spain (keep up to good work with the Spanish mum and Michael) and I’ll try to write back soon.

Love Alex xxx

From: Jack Jones

Hi Mum and Dad, Demi and Bryan.

Hope you’re not missing me too much because I’m having an incredible time. I’ve been really lucky with regards to the group I am in and the project we’ve been given. We are currently staying in a village here which is outside the main village amongst the steep slopes of the tea plantation – the views are incredible. We’ve been working on the project to provide 11 toilets for some of the poorest families in the community and the first stage of this is to dig 4x4x4 feet holes which had resulted in many aching backs. Despite this we are ahead of target and are ready to move on to the next strange for the first 5 toilets. We will stay here in Ponanni for another 2 weeks before making the two day journey to Kerala for the adventure challenge. Today I got the chance to play cricket with a group of village children who were more than welcoming despite the fact their sporting skills were considerably greater than mine. Having a great time so don’t worry about a thing.

Love from jack.

From: Isy Foster

Hi all, I can’t write back to you individually at the moment but I just wanted to say hi and I’m still alive. We’ve moved onto our project phase now in Ponani. We are living in a house in the middle of a tea plantation and it’s beautiful. We do probably have an ant infestation! Were building toilets for families in the village and progress so far is good. The group is amazing, as are the locals who go crazy for a game of cricket and any opportunity to play with a camera! Overall, juts having an incredible time. Hope all is well back home. Jules can’t believe you had a party without me! Hope it was a success. Charlie get a job! Works over soon for you Liv, so looking forward to some party times! Mum and Dad don’t worry about me!

I love you and miss you massively

Isy xxx

Ps. Keep writing blogs are amazing.

From: Isabel Foster

Dear Charlie

Ah Jees! Get looking on the job front! Glad you’re having fun back at home – I’ll be home soon and boring you with all my stories.  Send my love to Henry and Hayley and the rest of the crew/ your family. Got to keep this short but I’m still well and having a great time. I’ll write next time I can, which will probably be in a week. What’s happening with my room next year! I literally cannot wait for Portugal.

I love and miss you all lots

Isy xxx

PS. I’ll say it again thank you so much for my card!

From: Lewis Dowding 

Mum, don’t worry about me. I’m still alive! Having a fantastic time so far, everyone is getting fantastically and the rain hasn’t been too bad! Currently living in a village where we are building toilets for the local community. My painting skills are coming on a treat. Hope everyone is good at home and that Robyn had a fantastic birthday. Looking forward to seeing the dear family soon.  Xxx

From: Elizabeth Wai

Hey everyone,

Hope all is good back home or wherever you are at. I’m having an absolute blast here in the land of curry. The foods less spicy than I thought it would be and we get our food cooked by the local Indian women. I am in the community right now I’m on a community project phase and we’ve been constructing 11 sanitation units around the village Ponani. We also went on a day trip to the local hospital constructed by CTRD trust and the facilities are quite basic! I am enjoying every moment and can’t wait to see you. Miss you all! J xxx

From: Rachel Stott (3^rd July)

Dear mum, dad, Hannah, will and chazz.

I miss you! But I’m having an amazing time and surprising myself a lot. We are now at our community project site. A village called Poonani (yes, really). We’ve spent the past two days digging 4 ft holes for the toilets and ive actually enjoyed it. The tan isn’t happening though, it’s cloudy here and rains once a day, but is a nice temperature. Tomorrow we are mixing cement, and will soon be bricklaying. 10 of us are sleeping in small Indian house up a mountain in the middle of a tea plantation, its pretty surreal but the group get on incredidbly well and have ridiculous fun even though we are exhausted. Food is alright although all carbs and no protein. The local ladies cook us veggie curries etc. For lunch and dinner each day. Celebratory beef wellington when I get home?

Love you so much and cant wait to see you. Xxx rachie (blr)

From: Rachel Stoll

Mum and Dad: Got your messages today! People from field base are here on a visit and they bring them. I cannot reply in-between. Love you so much and miss you and have been dreaming about doing everyday stuff with you! Xxxxxxxx

From: Hayley Burnell

Hi guys (Mum, Dad & James)

All is well in Ponani. We have an excellent team and we are making great progress on the toilets – 7 out of 11 toilets are already on the way. The locals are all pitching in to help and the woman are looking after us well with some great food.

We only have 1 more week here and then we’ll be travelling to Kerala for the adventure phrase. Wish me luck! I’ll be in touch when it’s all over.

Love and hugs, Hayley xxx

From: Alice Bayfield

To my beautiful family and wonderful friends.

It is Monday 4th July today and we’ve been on project a few days. Our welcome ceremony was so incredible! Covered in flower garlands by the school children, blessed with incense and burning oils and given local snacks. The locals are so friendly and I’m loving spending time with them – yesterday we joined in with a huge game of cricket. You would be amazed by the house we live in – buried in the middle of a tea plantation up a mountain – I showered in the open yesterday looking out over one of the most spectacular views! We are digging and creating 11 toilets for the village which is such hard work but we have a laugh and it’s so worth it. The group I’m with is made of amazing people and after a week we’re all so close already. Fingers crossed no one’s been too ill yet – trying hard to stay so clean! I have to keep pinching myself that I’m actually here – feels like a dream! Keep blogging as much as you can – I’ll get the next ones through on the 19th and it’s so good to hear about what you’re up to. I think about you all the time and miss you all so so much! I love every single one of you!

From Alice/ Ali/Ali Cat/ Wombat/ Bee <3

Ps. Got your messages sorry I can’t reply yet xxx

From: Alice Bayfield

Today is the 9^th July, Mum and Dad thank you so much for the parcel and blogs- we can barely reply so don’t worry I am fine! Sent a long letter twice so hopefully you’ll get them soon! Love you so much!

Boys- Ned, Congrats darling!! Go you in the play. Haz, where’s my blogging comments? Send me more.

Hatty, Adam and Soph, thanks so much for writing. It’s Brilliant here but I hardly have anytime to reply – catch up when I am home! Rachie- got your card, thank you sweetie!

WM – your lovely thank you and miss talking to you so much.

Getting messages was amazing thank you all so much! Lots of happy tears but keep writing as much as you possibly can!

I love you all so so so much! I think about you all the time and I’m missing you loads but it’s still brilliant here! 20 days left, it’s gone so quickly. Hopefully you have sorted out my party and Heathrow airport return???

Keep writing xxxxxx

From: Katie Roberts

Hey Everyone,

Hope you are all well. Just writing to let you all know that I am having an amazing time, We are currently staying in the middle of a tea platation and have now almost finished digging all 11 toilts for the villages. Now we just have a lot of work to finish all the buildings. As well as the building we have spent lots of time playing cricket with the local children and we went to visit a local tribal hospital.

See you all soon, Katie xxx

PS 1. Happy Birthday Matt, sorry I am not there; hope you had a great day

PS 2. So excited about Mexico!!!

PS 3. Liz!! Thank you for the message, can’t wait to see you to tell you all about it

FOXTROT 2

From: Clare Watkinson

Hello from India!

We are now half way through our stay in a field digging ele-trenches. Really enjoying it so-far, never thought a field could feel like home. The main problem is getting woken up by crows at 6:00am everyday and thinking they’re getting into the barrels and stealing all the biscuits! We have the fussiest cow in India – it won’t eat our slops!

Missing you all.

Lots of love, Clare xx

From: Sophie Ramsden

Hi Mummy,

Hope your well. Great to chat to you the other day! Had a brilliant day out in Mysore. We looked around CREST in the morning and then the market in the afternoon – an amazing atmosphere. Back at camp now and has been really really hot so the digging had been hard work. We only have a week left here now and then we are off to Kerala for our adventure phase which should be great and apparently had amazing scenery. Hannah broke my basher just now which was hilarious – managed to fix it.

Lots of love, Soph xx

From: Hannah Jones

Hiii Mum and Dad, Having a bonging time in India at the mo, everyone’s really lovely and the weather has been amaze. Also, I haven’t got ill yet which is a miracle because we have to poo in a hole. Hope you’re both well and say hi to Mattie moo for me. You better have already written/be in the process of writing a blog/letter for me, so if you haven’t, get on it please. Also, when I get home I’d like to have a roast then apple crumble and custard as my first meal please, and cheese. I have had a curry more than anything and I never want to see it again and it’s only been a week!!

Also I can’t wait to have a pedicure etc mummy do can we (you) book it please because you have never seen me looking so rank.

Lots of love to you both, Love Hansies xxx

PS. Also I can’t use my phone at all because its in a safe back at field base so don’t be offended that I haven’t called.

Pps also all the stuff you brought was actually useful in the end, so well done. Xx

From: Hannah Jones

Hi Mum and Dad,

Right, I don’t get your blog message until later so I can’t comment on what you said because I don’t know about it. Still having an amazing time – we went to the market then other day and I brought you some glass bangles (mum) and there wasn’t anything manly for Dad but I did buy some cloth. Weather is still sunny and v. hot with occasional showers. Haven’t lost ANY weight at all like you thought I would. We went to a school the other day which was an experience. Love you, Hannah xxx

Ps. I’m fine, not ill yet. Can’t wait to get home and NOT eat pasta every day.

From: Tu Wei Ting

Hi Mum, Dad and Sis!

I’m doing well here, getting used to the food, long-drop (toilet) and environment. The weather is fine, about 20oC. Will be back home in 18 days.

Hope everything is fine at home and happy B;day to Mom on 15.07.11. Miss all of you a lot  xx

From: Lucy Mason

Hi everyone! 

I am honestly having the most amazing time ever. Sorry about the confusion with the phone calls the other day Mum and Dad, but thanks for checking I’m okay. I tried every way possible to speak to you. Everything is fine here, Mysore the other day was incredible. My love for curry still hasn’t improved although you will be pleased to hear I have eaten everything that is anything out here! That does not mean I want something wacky to eat when I get home, make me something I will love! Hope everything is well at home, my tan is very impressive I have proper trench tan. Don’t get too tanned in Turkey please! Has anyone been to visit yet? The loop is coming today so I am hoping for a message!

Miss you and love you. Lucy xxx

From: Chelsey Lee

Hello Lee family and Jen and Lucy and my snutchie,

Today we have the loop visiting to deliver letter s and blog notes (and choccy bars yum yum). Theres a competition for who has the best camp, being the competitive person I am I helped write a song explaining WHY we are the best which is to the tune of Angels – Robbie Williams (just for you Mum). Our topic today whilst digging the elephant trench was what we wanted to eat when we arrived home. Can I be very cheeky and request a ‘roast dinner’ and some Pavlova (don’t ask but we are all craving it!) I’m having a lovely time in the boiling heat and pouring rain digging a giant trench. Just kidding, it is actually fun! Missing you all millions!

Lots of love. Chels xxxxx

From: Edward Garcia

Thanks for the support Becky and Mum I am having a great time in India.

From: Jonathan Oakman

Hi everyone! I’m having a really good time here in India. The work is fairly hard work – particularly when digging trenches in the monsoon rain!

Mum, I hope you are coping alright and having a great time in Portugal. I’ve settled in well to our little base – the bashers are surprisingly comfy and I feel like I’ve been here for ages. We went into Mysore the other day. India really is an awesome country. I’ll see you soon. Love Jonathan xx

Ps. Amsterdam sounds great. When are we going and for how long?

From: Christina Ambrose

Hey everyone! Having fun here. Hope you are all okay. Happy birthday for last Sunday Gill! Paul and Shell give Izzy a big cuddle and say happy birthday from me on the 19th, can’t believe she is 3 already.

Happy birthday for Thursday Rich  will be thinking of you… hope you are ok and have at least got one of my letters by now. Will give you a call when I am down in Kerala in a couple of weeks. Miss you!! Xxx

From: Matt Deveson

Hi all!!

Having an amazing time here in India! Work on the elephant trenches is going really well, and we’re getting a lot more done than any of us thought we could!

Hope Eastry Cricket is all going well and that you haven’t had as much rain as we have here! Adventure challenge soon and only a few weeks left so really making the most of the time I have.

Xxx

From: Ellie Dowle

Hi Mum, Dad, Scary Jo and Jimmy.

Hope you are all okay. It was lovely speaking to you the other day. I’m having a fantastic time. I’m sat in the shelter with everyone writing this it’s pouring with rain outside! Although it had been really hot and sunny too. My group are lovely we have made things really homely, everyone is getting on well. Got to go on a trip to Mysore . Went in to a fruit market, it smelt amazing like an aladins Market. Miss you all lots, the loop is arriving tomorrow so hopefully I will get your letter then. See you on the 29th.

And super doper Happy Birthday John for the 20th. Sorry I can’t be with you on the day. Love you all loads. Ellie xx

From: Pamina de Hauteclocque

Hola Pat, Te quieu! We just read your message. Send us more notes. I cant wait to see you. We have to go to India together. You’ll have a postcard. Lots of love Pamina and Chelsey. Xx

From: Pamina de Hauteclocque

For Joe

Joe we are waiting for your postcard. We love you and miss you but we are having a LOTS OF FUN.

From: Pamina de Hauteclocque

Hello Maman

Je viens de recevoir ton message. OK pour les dattes de Cambridge. Je rentres a Paris le 25 aout. Tiens moi au courant. Je ne savais que tu regarder le blog.

Alors je le racconte vite fait. Je creuse des tranchees pour proteger les plantations que les villageois entretiennent. Donc grace a nous, les elephants ne peuvent pas detruisent les plantations et ils peuvent donc manger et rendre.

Notre group est genial. Je m’amuse et m’adapte a la vie avec rien du tout au milieu d’un champs. I’Inde est un pays FANTASTIQUE - il faut que l’on  y aille ensemble AU PLUS VITE.

Petit message pour  Casimen. Ok zut. Tu l’auras la prochaine fois. C’est tres dure a avoir du premier coup en ete. Merci pour ton message.

Continuez  a m’ecrire. Quelles sont les mottes de Cyprien?

Quelle est l’adresse de la Sineme et de Amee?

Je vous embrasse tres fort et papa aussi.

PS You are going to see pictures of me soon.

From: Joanne Harrower

Hi Mum, Dad, Ellen and anyone else who remembers this blog.

Just letting you know it’s all good on my end. I’m having tons of fun, met lots of people and becoming a pretty champion builder. India is beautiful and although we’re basically living in a field, it feels like home. Right now, we’re just about to start the project (building trenches to protect from elephants) and in a few weeks doing the long drive down to Kerala for more hiking.  I already know its going to be devastating to leave here, so hope you’re all having good summers as well.

Enjoy Belgium/ Hong Kong/ Australia and don’t forget my exam results!

Much love, Joanne.

From: Joanne Harrower

Hello again! 

Just letting you  know I’m still alive. We’re still in camp at Basava Pura….keeping busy building trenches and doing mountains of washing. I’m still planning for potentially staying on in India which is also filling some time. Mum and Dad, hopefully we can talk about acquiring some more money and flying out of Delhi instead of Bangalore. It’s really fun out here and it feels like I’ve known everyone for months. We visited Mysore a few days back and ate way to much, but had a good day. Missing you (a bit) back home but I’m sure you’re surviving without me.

Love Joanne x

From: Jonathan Oakman

Hi Mum,

I hope you are well and looking forward to Portugal. It’s great here in India. We’ve just completed our campsite for the next two or three weeks – it’s nice to finally have a steady home in my jungle basha.  You’d love the scenery – I know I do. I am gradually getting used to being away from home and I am settling in well alongside all of the great people in the group. We start the trenches today so that should be exciting. By the way, have you heard about accommodation yet?

Miss you but I’ll see you soon.

Love Jonathan. Xxx

Ps.  To my friends who have remembered the blog. I’m having a great time here and I hope your summer is going well.

From: Rachel Libby-Mills

 ‘Namaste from India’

Hello everyone, hope everyone in England is well. Its my birthday!! And I’m just sitting in our living room in our makeshift ‘Trunk Town’ writing this. We have been building the camp for two days and have finally finished! It involved a lot of hard work and digging eight holes per basher was tough as there is nineteen of us. Today we are having a community meeting with the neighboring village and then we start digging the elephant proof trenches.

Thanks for the cards, they are hanging from my basher.  The guys made birthday bunting and hung it in the living room and we had a special ‘energy bomb’ breakfast of oats, condensed milk and cocoa powder – yum! 

Miss you and see you all soon. Love Rachel xxx

From: Sophie Ramsden

Hi!! Having an amazing time in India and hank you for your post. The last week has gone really quickly and managed a 25km trek on the first day. Impressive or what? Really hot and havents had much rain yet so the tan is developing… I am on the environmental project with a brilliant group of 18 others. We have made camp and are having a community meeting in a couple of hours, then the digging starts! Hope everything at home is good and can you please post me the Wimbledon results – still in the dark about it all. Will keep you updated. Love you loads, Soph xxx

TANGO 6

From: Jason Rhind

Hey Jenn

Thanks for the message, Loving India so far. The fellow venturers and staff are all wicked. Been trekking through the jungles and mountains for the past seven days. Seen some beautiful scenery and crazy animals. I’ll give you a call in the next two weeks or so. Give Catherine, Bandit and Bryan a big hug from me.

Jason

Hey Mum and Dad,

All is well.  Been trekking through the jungles and mountains of Kerala for the past seven days. It’s really beautiful out here! Loving it so far… There has been lots of rain, mosquitoes and leeches, but nothing too serious. I’ll give you a call in two weeks or so.

Jason

From: Chessie Clarke

To Mummy, Martin, Oli and Julie. Lovely to hear from you and hope that you are all well. The trek is going ok, few dodgy moments here and there! Also had a day of rafting and cycling, which were brilliant. I will be ripped by the time I am back! Glad to hear how well your dad is doing Martin. Send my love to them both! Sorry this is the first time I have contacted you, I have only just been able too. I hope to hear from you all soon.

Lots of love

Chessie

Ps. Send my love to all the Clarkes and if anyone has written on my travel blog please comment to say that I can only be contacted through the Raleigh blog: http://raleighindia.blogspot.com/

From: Louise McStravick

Re Nicola you stink!!! I do actually miss you guys I didn’t know you had the address of this thing innit! Tell dad he smells and to make me curry good when I get home. I want to come to Darlington – you did it on purpose because you know I am not at home. Tell your baby to wait till I get back. Thanks Au revoir!

Ps. July 21^st I can use my own forms of communication so I’ll try Skype or call you of something.

To Ramsey

Thanks so much for your message – don’t know if you’ll be back on this. You have no idea how it’s been here. I have really been missing it back home and you a lot please be around 21^st from the am so I can contact you properly. I miss your stupid voice.

Love Louise

From: Emma Williams

Hi everyone.

Thought I would give you a little update on the trek phrase.  It is now day 4 and my feet are seriously hurting… we have walked about 45ish k so far but still got 150k to go. I have also been bitten by leeches – yuk.  Missing you all like crazy and don’t forget about my internet day. Love you all lots  emma xxxxxxxx

From: Tim Pollington

Hi mum and Robert, now day 6 into our 19 day trek. Spirits are high with the group as we finish our 2nd rest day before we start our 2nd leg.  There’s 13 of us and we’ve done trekking, cycling and rafting so far. Learning lots amidst the mossies and the leeches. Write me a blog message! 

Love  Tim xxxx

From: Chaitali Desai

Hi Mum, May, Amit, Clare, Alex and all the west Sussex ladies! I’m in my first phase trekking in Kerala. It’s tough but seeing lots of great views and camping every night under gorgeous starry skies (sometimes) been cycling 49km today. Also built a raft and paddled down a river. Shame about all the leeches and mozzies.

Miss you all lots love Chaitali xxxx

TANGO 5

From: Elvis

Dear Tracy,

Nice to read your message! Life here is tough, but I’m getting used to it. Don’t worry about me! Hope you ok in HK !  As this is a public message sorry for not saying something sweet about you!!!

Miss you Elvis.

From: Elvis

To my dearest family members

I am in the trekking phase and am now in the Western Ghats Mountains. Everything is fine though! The life here is a little bit tough. 12 more days for the trekking afterwards I am going with the community and environment projects I think life will be better! Miss you and may god bless you all.

Elvis

From: Sarah Whetter

To the friends and family of Sarah Whetter.

Hello all,  we have survived 6 days of torrential rain, leech infestation, close encounters with a tusked elephant and no hope of Catwalk glamour due to a severe lack of showers! ( we are even missing the cold bucket showers from field base) Tango 5 is a very fragrant bunch! We have a fantastic group of venturers and have seen some incredible sights on our trek and cycled through the forests and villages of northern Kerala. Only a third of the way through this part of the adventure and feeling damp, dirty but happy! Missing you all from afar. Love and hugs. Sarah xxx

From: Amy Donegan

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a fab summer!  I certainly am in the middle of Kerala. I’m currently a third of the way through a nineteen day trek- honestly it’s the hardest thing I have ever done but so rewarding at the same time. I am covered in tons of leech bites. (and dirt) I haven’t had a proper shower since I left home. So yes I stink! In terms of food it’s basically curry and porridge, but whilst trekking noodles and pasta. The curry here is so good. What makes me laugh is that they don’t know what a Korma is! They eat curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner – it’s amazing!

This trek is so hard we are up at 6 am everyday to pack away tents and make breakfast and then walk all day! I now don’t actually own a piece of dry clothing anymore- I’d say that wet shoes and socks are the worst. But trekking through villages and being with my team Tango 5 makes up for it! I miss western toilets as well. Will be in contact as soon as I can.

Love Amy x

X PS the mangos here are delicious.

From: Raleigh Field Base

To: Amy Donegan’s Mum

Hi there,

I was chatting to Amy last night and she was wondering if you could let her know the different marks she got for her exams. I can then pass them on to her when they call in this evening. Amy already knows about your previous message and was very happy!

Thank you.

Fletch

From: Tabitha Ha

Hi Dad, Marlene and Joey.

Thanks for your message! Things are going great so currently on the trekking phase of the expedition and have covered about 140 kms. Its been pretty tough but I have also seen some amazing sights and wildlife. Will give you a longer message in 2 weeks when I get back to fieldbase. Hope you are all well, please let Alex and Emily know so they can remind mum about this blog.

Love to all

Tabitha  

CHARLIE 1

From: Roxanne Simpson

A message for my mum…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

1.     Sorry it’s late

2.     Sorry I wasn’t able to call  you on the day…!

BUT I am stuck in a tropical forest with no contact with the outside world! I hope you had a great day. Love you very much and look forward to tell you my tales :)

Lots of love, Roxanne xx

From: Kat Rosen

Dear Mum and Dad,

Hope you guys aren’t missing me too much. How is everyone at home, please send my love and best wishes. At the moment I’m on the community phase, work is progressing very well, we have dug foundations to a house and 4 toilets and today (7^th July) we started filling them with cement. The village we are living in is on a very steep hill so getting the materials down to site has been a bit of a challenge. I look forward to Skype on 21^st July. Will fill you in much more then.

Lots of love always, Kat xxx

From: Kat Rosen

Dear Lisa and Thomas

Hope you are both well and a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA! Hope you had a lovely day! How is work going? I am looking forward to Spain, have you told Grampa yet/is he coming? I am currently on my community phase we are building 1 house and 4 toilets, it’s going very well. It was quite tiring digging the foundations as the ground is very stoney and clay! I will be checking my emails 21^st July so will look forward to an update. I start my new phase on the 23^rd July and have my fingers crossed to be on the trek – it looks and sounds incredible! Please give Thomas a big hug and kiss from me!

Love, Kat xxx

From: Lauren Hopkins

To Mum, Dad, Family and Friends,

Helloooo! Sorry I haven’t been in touch – it’s crazy here. I’m living in a rainforest surrounded by tea plants. From out front door there is a massive drop to the house below which is dug into the side of the mountain! It’s really incredible. The locals welcomed us with flowers, bindis, chai and food… we’re eating SO much!

Having the best time, will send you all a postcard soon!

Lots of love, Lauren xxxx

From: Tom Leggart

Thanks Mum and Dad I am having a good time. That snake man is mental; he was playing around with that Cobra knowing it will not go for him. Hope you’re all doing well. Give my love to everyone.

Tom xxxxx

From: Devon Nepeir

Dear Mom,

Hey how’s everything? Everything here is kool – you know you raised a survivor lol. Just wanna know how the college stuff is working out, talk to you soon.

From: Vandana

Hey mom, dad, bro.

Love you guys. Spent a few days being homesick, but I’ve great friends and love the views here. Missing you guys loads and my friends too, and Claudie. Do tell anu I miss her. Working my ass off, shower in the wild and having porridge every morning. I’m pretty fat now lol. Cheers. Love you.

From: Catriona Duncan

To family and friends,

I am sending my love too all and wish I could share the views which I wake up to each morning here in Kotipadi. Stunning rainforest surrounds out camp = a small house with 2 rooms but still big enough for 13 of us to sleep in. the worst thing is the steep hills leading to the project sites, the loo and the difficulty of washing ourselves  or our clothes frequently. I have only been here for four days but as a team we have already begun work on the foundations of a family home, carried bricks, shifted earth and dug out long drops for the duration of our stay. We have also done 4 toilets for the community. Work aside; we plan to travel to Ooti sometime next week. I am really enjoying it here and love seeing the community observing the work from the hillside. It has been amazing seeing our work develop and seeing them smile. In return, they cook our lunch and dinner and have welcomed us with open arms. I watch the women carry large stones for the foundations on their head, without shoes at a rapid pace with no sign of dirt, quite how they do it I don’t know! The weather here has been a mix of sun and monsoon showers. In fact I am writing this in the middle of the monsoon. Hoping its lovely and sunny back at home and everyone reading this is well.

Lots of love, Catriona xxx

From: Catriona Duncan

To Mum

Just to let you know I am enjoying the Raleigh experience. The community phase has been challenging at times in the heat and torrential downpours. I keep slipping on mud but friends and managers have been very supportive in keeping me on my feet! Really enjoying the work/involvement with the locals and even the food. It’s a bit peck so I am drinking lots. I wish you were both were to admire the work we’ve done so far and the views but unfortunately my camera is out of battery L I know this is a big request but could you post my camera charger – it should be in my bedroom by the sill or under the bookcase. I need the camera! I can’t go on without pictures! A stock up on cereal bars would also be helpful – the fruit and nut ones!! J Please send the camera cradle and lead at least ASAP to the address at field base – name and Charlie 1 on the package. Remember it takes 3 weeks to arrive. Any problems let me know. It must be small. Missing you so much. Give Big Bear and Spicy a big hug for me and send Alice my love – and happy belated birthday!

Lots of love, Dwangjai xxx

ECHO 3

From: Michaela Passingham

To Mum

I’m missing you hope everyone is well. Don’t write me letters in the last month because it takes 3 weeks to get to me. Love you all xxx

To Dad

I’m missing you all can you text me and tell me how Chloe is please? Can’t wait to see you all again. Lots of love to you all xxx

From: Alex Jackman

C, it’s surprisingly comfortable, really good food but I’m getting skinny – though not from amoeba related problems… probably. Doing fun stuff like carrying water and digging to pass free time – it’s actually fun, can you believe it? So glad you’re finally okay! My turn next J though really well so far...

Loved getting your message, miss you!

Copy! Ale

PS. Seen no elephants, but thanks for the news, hope they have some amusing jokes, good to know!!

From: Alex Jackman

To Mum, Dad, Mattie, Sarah and C;

Missing you all lots, but having a really good time. Challenging and tough but I’m really finding it worthwhile! I’m fine, hope you are all too… so so hot here but doing well – saw snake charmer and had great food! Hope you got my videos, i’m missing you all and love you all so much – see you soon!

Lots of love, Alex xxx

PS. So happy to get your messages! Really glad everyone is okay, can’t wait for parcel and will send letters when I next can. First torrential rain busy filling trench with water outside… hope camp went well for Mattie and Durham for Sarah. Missing you all loads.

From: Manpreet Sidhu

Hey Mum, Sip, Musi, Karen, Shan, Lucks, Rar, Sharon, Mumi, Muma, Jinda, Isabel, Jazzi, Callum, Liam, Ashie and not leaving out my Nani. Miss you all miss talking to you and our weekends together; hope Shannon had a great 18^th (make up for it when I come back, promise) on the environmental phase at the moment; I’ll contact you on the 19^th/20^th. PS. I’ve got dark and miss meat (sad face); Musi can you make lamb when I get  back… thanks lol. Love you all.

PS 2. So excited about Mexico!!!

PS 3. Liz!! Thank you for the message, can’t wait to see you to tell you all about it

From:Kai Wallace-Mayer

Hi Gitti and Xavier! Hi mum, hi Suana and of course hi Zac! It’s great to hear from you all. I’m having an excellent time. Rest assured that I’ve taken plenty of pictures! I miss you all (except suana) and I can’t wait to see you all again. Tell Dad that I said Hi as well!

Love, Kai.

From: Ashley Johns

To anyone who may be reading!

Loving it out here, I’m on the environmental phase at the moment. Haven’t seen any elephants but it’s beautiful out here. Love and miss you all. xXx

From: Bed Salter

To Mum Dad David and All

Sorry I can’t use my phone out here but I am really enjoying it and pushing myself. I’m on the environmental phase and is amazing. Missing you all, sent a letter in the post. Lots and lots of love, Ben xxx

From: Louise Shute

Namaskara everyone!

Having a wonderful time out on the environmental project. Such a beautiful site to be working on and we are with a warm and hospitable community so are very lucky. The camp is growing everyday and already feels like home even if we are going to the loo in a short drop, washing ourselves in the reservoir, using the 3 bowl system to wash up and sleeping in tarp covered bashas! Digging the trench at a steady pace and working on erecting the solar fencing. Are also going to paint a mural on the wall. Hope youre all well, think of each of you and miss you – wish you were all here.

Bundles of hugs – Lou x

From: Katia Philip

To all you lovely lovely peoples,

Big hugs from a very beautiful, very isolated Huskurhadi! Loving the outdoors life. Physical work under blazing sun brings sweat and blisters but the night is a chilled moment next to the fire under the stars next to a lake and mountains. Getting to know the local kids well too and already taught in a school. Much love from our humble camp.

PS. Send me some newspaper clippings, I have no idea how the world is doing!

Katia xx