It's just not (only) cricket at Echo Three

Myself and Polly B had the pleasure of having a long weekend with Echo Three. We arrived Saturday afternoon just in time for the end of their digging shift which runs daily from 6.30am to 1pm. After the Raleigh rations staple of noodle lunch prepared by the 'housewives' on camp duty (the two team members who stay behind at camp to look after the site and prepare tea break and lunch), a spot of cricket was played with the local children from Basava Pura.

That evening we were treated to Kat's delicious cheesy pasta followed by Elisabeth's Banoffe Pie, most de-lish. Round the campfire we were serenaded by Owen, Robbie and Dr Phil, who each took it in turns to strum the guitar and sing us some good and some questionable songs!

The next morning we were roused with their delighted yells of 'DIGGING' which motivates them out of bed! Into the trench we put in a good day's work. The ground they're working on is full of rocks so it can be slow progress at times but spirits are kept high with plenty of banter and trench games.

Time for tea! 'Housewife'  Katie is a welcome sight

Shift over and Sunday afternoon was a blaze of sunshine, normally office bound myself and Polly B took the opourtunity top up our tans. Some of the group popped into local Basava Pura for some chai while Robbie and Owen entertained the local kids by making up 'crimping' songs to much humourous affect!

Sunday night was Hannah L's last evening as PM with Echo Three as we were bringing her back to Field base for her to job share with Hannah W in Mointoring and Evaluation for the expedition. As Sunday was also 'Sinterklaas' for the Dutch Venturers, the group gave out their secret santa pressies.

A misty Monday was welcomed with more yells of 'DIGGING'.

The group changed trench digging location for Monday's shift to where the soil was easier and less rocky and really got stuck in.


The commute to work ...

 



Anniek adding a touch of glamour to the trench



Then all too soon The Loop was there to deliver Hannah W to take up the reigns of PM for the final part of the phase and whisk me, Polly B and Hannah L away. We'd had a lovely weekend with Echo Three, they really seem to have the perfect set up there - a good enthuasuim for digging and entertaining ways to while away the well deserved lazy afternoons. We bid a fond farewell to Echo Three with big waves and drove off to the yells of 'DIGGING' in the air ...

 

All text by Polly Carpenter and photos by Polly Baldwin http://www.dynamicpictures.co.uk/ (unless stated otherwise).

Messages from Charlie One

From: Elisabeth
To: Caroline & Carlyn
Hee lieve cacie & ninja! Het gaat heel goed! Ik struggle een beetje met de tenten want die zyn verschrikkelyk. Het dorpje is echt superleuk! Ik ben byna geadopteerd ha ha. Mis jullie! Xxx Liz (mn nieuwe naam)

From: Aimee
To: Mum, Dad, Max, Craig, Pippa, Poppy & Ginger
Hello from a very muddy campsite in india. I am fine having a lot of fun and sculpting the guns after digging 5 foundtations and moving tonnes of rock. Hope you are all well in cold England. Lots of love Aimee. P.s. What's the traffic cop gossip?!

From: Ryan
To: Charlie, Mum , Dad, Craig, Jordan, Nana & Grandad
Hello everyone. i'm having an amazing time we've dug 5 foundtations already. We're living with a tribal community and they're all really friendly. I've been teaching some of the kids some football skills! Hope everyting's good at home. Ring you soon  Love Ryan & Charlie x

From: Rosie
To: Ma, Dad, Kate, Shannon, Hazel, Bev & all my friends
Hiiiii! We are digging foundations in Ula Vadu and I feel like I'm in a documentary. We were all dancing with the villagers the other night so surreal. They are all lush. I would love a letter miss you all xxx

From: Phillip
To: Family and friends
Having a great time. Hope you are all well and Yorkshire life is treating you well!

From: Caroline
To: Ben
Hello Helmand! Thank you for your messages and letters - always puts a smile on my face. Life is good here - i'm even getting used to the mud especially getting covered in it! I miss you everyday. Lots of love xxx

From: Caroline
To: DE
Hi guys, thanks Shaz for the blog messages - big morale boost! Life is good in India. I'm really enjoying getting hands on with thi construction lark! Not a change order in sight!! Hope you are all well. Missing the office craic. Love Caroline x

We built this (basha) city on rock and soul

News flash: More blog responses from Alpha 2 have arrived, see the "comments" section attached to this blog if you are waiting to hear from someone!

(above: Tom D, Sofa, Tjebbe, Claire, Eveline, Ed and Esmee getting clean in the check dam at Alpha 4. All pictures by Gavin Shelton)

Hello avid blog followers!

Today Country Director Gavin Shelton returned to Fieldbase after scouting out a new trek route for future Raleigh programmes, which took him and PM Ivan Phillips through the Alpha Four campsite.

"I have to say, the Alpha Four campsite is just amazing, they have really put in a lot of effort and it looks wonderful," Gavin said.

He said the group was working at a cracking pace repairing the solar-powered elephant-proof fence that protects the village of Anaikatty from wildlife including wild boar, deer, bison and of course elephants.

"It was really wonderful to see some of the fields within the boundary of the fence becoming green and growing well now they are protected by the fence," he said.

(picture: the mess tin tree at Alpha Four and below, the Alpha 4 basha-based campsite)

The group is also reinforcing the fence by digging some lengths of elephant-proof trench, as the fence repairing project was going so well.

"They have also been getting involved with the local community which is great to see," he said.

The next loop vehicle with Programme Administrator Lucy, Country Programme Manager Mark Ashby and photographer Ann Taylor is due back later today, so there will be more tales from the projects in the next couple of days.

In the mean time, Alpha 2 is set to visit the monks at the Golden Temple, at Alpha 3 rumours have been emanating about a fancy dress dinner, and at Alpha 1, they've done amazing times with their trekking and pitched in to hire a dorm room for a night so are no doubts feeling a little more refreshed after a real bed and wash.

Standby for more news from the Alpha groups

(Above: PM Peter leads Ed, Parthi, Eveline, Sreejith and the rest of Alpha Four to work)