Phase Two: Over and out

So here we are again, on the eve of Changeover two eagerly awaiting the return of the venturers back at Field base. This time we have them here for two days before packing them off for the final phase of their Raleigh India 10K expedition.

As always, Field base has been working hard in anticipation and preparation of the Venturers return: Myself and Polly B have been pulling together the expedition magazine, a long hard slog but hopefully well worth it for a great memento of everyone's time out here. Doug over in logistics has been his usual calmly organised self, everything raring to go with enough tins of tuna, porridge and noodles ready to fuel the venturers in Phase Three. Christina has done a brilliant job organising the loop shop (always a welcome sight for the sugar and e-number starved venturers) and creating the Raleigh India 10K t-shirt. Phil's been the reassuring voice on the end of the phone for all medical queries and entertained himself by writing, directing and editing our 'comedy' skit video ready for the venturers return. Whilst Anna has been masterminding the operation and Del has been a hive of organisation both ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

Out on phase they've been telling us what an amazing time they've been having. The projects are really taking shape and each group are able to tangibly see the difference they are making out here, both on site and to themselves.
 
Charlie One have now completed all brick work on the five houses, two roofs are up and they've finished plastering on one. Tonight is a closing ceremony with the village, no doubt a joyous but emotional affair.

Charlie Two completed all 12 eco-sanitation toilets. Today they had a sports day with the community and a leaving celebration tonight.

Echo Three have worked tiresly on the trench and made fantastic progress. They had a leaving ceremony yesterday where they enjoyed a big feast.

Echo Four have had a a slightly challenging phase due to weather conditions but have been resourceful finding other ways they can support the community and certainly made the most of their time out there.

Tango Five are jubilant after completing the trek yesterday! They're now making their weary way back to Field base on the day and a half journey up from Kerala.

We can't wait for them all to descend and tell us all their stories ...

Training, Treking and Team allocation

It's been a intense week of training at Fieldbase as the Volunteer Managers settle into their Raleigh roles. Over the past few days the team have sharpened their map reading skills, got up to speed with Communications protocol and sorted out all the important admin.

   



Trek training came as a welcome respite from the classroom, although the 5am alarm clock was not favoured by all! Split into two groups setting off half an hour apart from Fieldbase, the team orientated themselves over a 21k route.

The groups both held a decent steady pace of about 4k an hour and so were done just in time for lunch. Luckily the end of the route was marked with a bakery where the team tucked into delicious egg puffs before jumping on a local bus taking them back to Fieldbase.



We've been well fed so far with local caterers providing curry for lunch and dinner and breakfast being the obligatory Raleigh fuel of porridge. We're also a fit bunch, with sun rise yoga classes and jogging groups going out on routes past paddy fields and through local villages, not to mention the odd game of late night frisbee!

The main topic of conversation and head space for the Project Managers has been Project Allocation to find out where they will be on Phase One. Anticipation has been building all week and the wait was over last night as the announcements were made whilst the team were out to dinner in Mysore. So without further ado ...

Phase One Community team will be Carloine, Eira and Liam leading Charlie One. The inital Environmental phases are Echo Three with Hannah L, Charlotte and Christina and Echo Four consisting of Hannah W, Sterling and Laura. Heading out for Adventure phases are Tango Five led by Mountain Leader Lynne accompanied by Josse and Bethan and Tango Six which Mountain Leader, Olly will be leading with Phil and Rachel. Finally, Fieldbase Medic for Phase One is Luke and assiting Logistics will be Susan.

The teams have now set about familiarising themselves with their individual projects and will be off visiting their sites for a few days this week to get to know ther surroundings and complete their preparations. Upon their return we'll catch up with each of the groups to tell us all about their projects.

Till then, Raleigh India 10k Volunteer Managers bid you farewell :)

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

Meet the Field Base team

Field Base is a hive of activity as the permanaemt Raleigh India staff and the Advanced Volunteer Managers busily prepare for the India 10k expedition. But here they take 5 mins out of their day to tell you a little something about themselves ...

 

Name: Mark Ashby

Role: Country Director

Loves: Monster munch - one of many great things from the 80’s that is so good it is still cool now, like stone washed jeans

Hates: Porridge – a big problem in this job!

Random Fact: I can cut string with my bare hands!

Luxury Item: Hot water that comes out of the tap!

No. 1 day I was born: Coz I Luv You by Slade

Name: Anna Tate

Role: Country Programme Manager

Loves: Great friends, good food, preferably at a beach

Hates: Bad manners

Random Fact: I once swallowed a chicken bone

Luxury Item: Double bed

No. 1 day I was born: I Just Want to Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb

Name: Del Roberts

Role: Deputy Progamme Manager

Loves: Fiancée, running and spinning at the Gym – in that order!

Hates: Not being able to run

Random Fact: I’ve hand fed a female black rhino dates and I had a cup of tea made for me by Prince Andrew.

Luxury Item: Three pairs of trainers and running gear

No. 1 day I was born: Squeeze Me, Please Me by Slade

Name: Charlotte Parbery-Clark

Role: Medic

Loves: Good hugs, naps and scuba diving

Hates: spiders

Interesting Fact: Used to sponsor a three legged badger and fox

Luxury Item: Face moisturiser

No. 1 day I was born: Hello by Lionel Richie

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Name: Laura Burnet

Role: Medic

Loves: The sunshine

Hates: The mosquitoes!

Interesting Fact: Got my stargazing badge at Brownies

Luxury Item: The photobook from my sister

No. 1 day I was born: Holding Out For a Hero by Bonnie Tyler

Name: John Miller

Role: Logistics Manager

Loves: To travel

Hates: People who talk to supermarket checkout staff and spend ages looking for their purse

Interesting Fact: Spent the last 10 months following the sun around the world - and intend to continue for the next 10.

Luxury Item: iPod

No. 1 day I was born: When by Kalin Twins

Name: Doug Meehan

Role: Logisitics Coordinator

Loves: Croquet

Hates: Pully suitcases

Interesting Fact: My great great ... Great Aunt is on the British five pound note

Luxury Item: Willy's Wonky Chocolate Factory A dime bar

No. 1 day I was born: True by Spandeau Ballet

Name: Polly Carpenter

Role: Communications Officer

Loves: The feel of sun on my skin and amongst good friends - ideally in a field at Glastonbury

Hates: My hair going frizzy

Interesting Fact: Earlier this year I featured on a pop single that reached the dizzy heights of No. 107 in the charts

Luxury Item: My luxury travel pampering kit my lovely work colleagues got me – everything a glamorous traveler could need

No. 1 day I was born: Hello by Lionel Richie

Welcome back!

We have now welcomed two more staff members to the team. Neil (above), project manager, and Ali (right) who will be the photographer, are both staying on from previous expeditions after a quick jaunt to Sri Lanka to sort out their visas.

This week has been a mixture of comparing insect bites, working, finding our feet in Mysore and lots of fun with a trip to the circus (interesting and scary in equal parts), an Austrian cafe (delicious) and various games (Vijay will be getting all the new staff to play Jungle Speed at some point!).

Birthday celebrations

Also, in honour of Neil’s birthday, this morning we went next door to the Olive Garden restaurant to have a fancy breakfast and tonight we plan to throw some cheesy moves at a local nightclub after a meal out.

In feline news, the mother cat did keep returning to the logs room with her kittens but have once again been rehomed outside of field base.

The induction programme for the project managers has now been sorted and we’re all very excited about welcoming them. I’ll be updating the blog after they arrive and we can introduce the team fully. Not long now!

The beginning and lots and lots of curry

The advanced staff team have made it to field base and have made ourselves at home. After an exciting drive to Mysore - passing cows in shops and various large packages on motorbikes - we arrived at field base rather jet lagged but intrigued to know what our roles would be like. We were helped through our day by curry for breakfast, curry for lunch and curry for dinner, and venturers and the remaining staff members (not to mention parents) will probably be reassured to know that field base (above) is feeling very much like a home from home already.

The team so far...

It’s already clear we’re well suited to our roles. Finance officer Claire is tackling spreadsheets “In my life, if it’s not on a spreadsheet it doesn’t get done”, medic Frankie “ooooh this anti-biotic is magic!” is sorting through the medical kits and logistics managers Andrea “I can not work in a messy area” and Mike (aka Mutley due to his laugh) are going through the kit and food in the logistics room but also rehoming a mother cat and her very new-born kittens who had nested in there. Whereas I (Alison) am telling everyone what we’re up to!

We’ve all settled in well, taking time to create a fitness regime into our busy schedules. After a quick explore around the base yesterday morning, Andrea and Frankie set up a circuit involving skipping, press-ups, sit-ups and lunges and then we had a yoga break a bit later. Then this morning we tackled the nearby Chamudi Hill and its 1,000 steps...

There’s currently a festival on in Mysore called Dasara which celebrates Hindu goddess Durga slaying a demon and therefore the triumph of good over evil. The events include elephants being dressed up, painted and paraded throughout the city (according to 60/60, one of Raleigh’s drivers, the elephants love having their make-up done!), and there’s various yoga, drama and music events. The elephants are due to parade on the 28th so the next lot of staff members can see them too. The city is heaving with locals and tourists who have flocked to the area so going into Mysore could be a bit of a baptism of fire...

Above, from top, Claire, Frankie, Mutley and Andrea, and Alison

Getting to work

In the meantime, we’re busy preparing for the next lot of staff members, who are due to arrive on Saturday 26th, and then the venturers, who arrive a couple of weeks later. There’s lots to do!

Do feel free to comment on this blog as we’re going along. Once the projects are underway, if the person you’re trying to contact is out on one of the sites, the messages will still get passed on and will be most welcome. And if there’s anything in particular you would like to know about the projects and how they’re getting on, do ask, I shall try and keep you updated as much as I can. Welcome to the beginning of our Raleigh adventures and stay tuned for the next blog in the next few days.