Happy Diwali!

It has now been a few days since all the newly formed groups left Field base and arrived at their new projects.


Tango 5 had a great start to the phase spotting elephants on the drive down to Kerala. They are now well in to their 16 day trek and have already climbed the second highest mountain in South India – Misappulimala, which peaks at 2,637m.

Charlie 1 arrived at Uluvadu and got stuck into things by digging a new long drop toilet. They are now continuing with the 7 houses started last phase.

Charlie 2 have met the villagers at Hagaranahalli and settled in to the school where they will be living for the next few weeks. One the first day they managed to complete the foundations for 6 of the 24 sanitation units that are being constructed.

Echo 3 set up camp and met the locals. They have been having lots of fun continuing with the Elephant Proof Trench and Solar Fencing started last phase.

Echo 4 also had a new long drop to dig and got their new bashas organised before continuing work on their Trench.

A few of the groups have also had the chance to celebrate Diwali with the locals, which is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. Also known as the ‘Festival of lights’ Diwali is celebrated for 5 days, and involves lots of fireworks, candles and firecrackers.

Here at Field base myself (Christina) and Anna walked into the local village to see the morning celebrations of Diwali and found lots of Cows being cleaned ready to be painted with bright colours, and everyone wearing their best clothes to celebrate ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’.

 This day of Diwali signifies the victory of ‘good over evil’ and ‘light over darkness’. Small oil lamps are lit and elaborate Kolams (sand paintings) are drawn outside houses to bestow prosperity to homes.

Through the daily sit reps we were able to find out that Echo 3, Charlie 1 and Charlie 2 were fully involved with local celebrations, visiting local temples and being included in the community festivities.

Polly C and Del will be back tomorrow from Echo 3 and Echo 4 with an update of how they are getting on. If you have any messages for any of the groups leave a comment and all messages will be taken out with the loop vehicles.



Diwali Celebrations at Field Base



All text by Christina Ambrose

Photos by Anna Tate and Christina Ambrose



The 5 weekers are ready for ADVENTURE CHALLENGE!!

A coach journey to Kerala marks the end of the first phase of expedition for 10H.  Following a night’s stay at a hotel, the venturers arrive at the remote field base in Kerala, “Anthony’s Camp”, on Friday morning and eagerly await details of their forthcoming Adventure Challenge.  Based 2000 meters above sea level, “Anthony’s Camp” is located within the beautiful mist shrouded hills of Kerala, overlooking a reservoir.

 

The first day at “Anthony’s Camp” sees the Foxtrot groups setting up their tents and then the evening entertainment begins.  Each group performs their own skit demonstrating what they have been doing over the last couple of weeks.  Congratulations to Foxtrot 1 group who pipped the other two groups to the post and won the best skit of the night.  Then followed a slideshow and a video of the groups, created by Hannah our cinematographer, which generated lots of laughter and even an encore. 

        

         

        

        

        

        

        

        

Following an evening of suspense, this morning each group found out their first day’s challenge and are given only minutes to prepare for their task and depart base camp!  The Adventure Challenge involves a competition between each of the Foxtrot Groups – each challenge successfully achieved can win the team up to 100 points a day.  Only by support and great teamwork will the groups be able to succeed at their daily challenges.  At the end of the 7-day challenge one Foxtrot group will be victorious! 

Today, during Adventure Challenge Day 1, Foxtrot 1 experience the Survival Challenge - armed with only their waterproofs, a bottle of drinking water and a sweater the team will learn how to build a shelter from only available resources, start a fire and cook a vegetable meal as well as keep warm during the cold night outdoors.  

Foxtrot 2 undergo the Anaerangal Challenge where they will learn to build a bamboo raft from scratch and will be using the raft tomorrow.  Hope it floats!  The team will be camping overnight at the nearby Lakeside Camp. Also they celebrated our one and only Olly's birthday!!

Happy birthday Olly!

Armed with a USB memory stick, Foxtrot 3 had to gain access to a computer in the local village, Suryanelli, to find out the instructions and route for their Trek Challenge.  Tonight they trek back to base camp and will camp overnight here at Anthony’s Camp.

Kalypso our professional adventure team on Day 1 of the challenge

And....

A message from Lara Buckley (Foxtrot 3) to her Dad and Barbara;

"Miss you loads but having fun. Bought lots of materials and tea. For results, please could you call London head office and tell them to tell Mr. Mark Ashby and he will give them to me. Thank you, hope the family is well...

Love Lara 

xxx "

Posted by our Lady Banker Anita Walker by  special request!!