Arrival of the project managers

All the cleaning is done, the plans are in place and the presentations are ready which can only mean one thing – the project managers are here!

Celine and I travelled up to Bangalore yesterday to stay over for the night and arrived at the airport at 4am this morning, clip board in hand (as well as some seriously strong coffee) ready to meet them all and head back to field base together.

Left to right, Eeva, Kate, Mona and Naomi

Kate and Eeva

L-R back row - Stuart, Kathryn, Susan, Dan, Kate, Dave, Mona, Naomi, Ros
Front row is Eeva, Stuart, Cat and Celine

Cat, Mona, Stuart and Dave boarding the bus to Bangalore.

On the bus chatting soon turned to snoring after the overnight flight.

Arriving at field base to meet Mark, Julia and the rest of the team.

Introducing Deepak to the project managers

Manglamma's daughters welcomed all the project managers to their home.

And so training begins...

So we're now all starting two weeks of intensive induction training before the venturers arrive so things are going to be busy but we'll be back to keep you posted on all the gossip. And talking of gossip, Wills and Kate are welcoming all the new arrivals in the showers but there isn't such a grand welcoming ceremony from them. Right, I'm off to catch some sleep with the new dorm mates as I'm on poo bag burning duty first thing in the morning, oh the glamour!

The storm before the bigger storm

Hello again, we’re still very busy getting everything sorted out here at field base so that it’s all ready for the arrival of the project managers who arrive on Saturday morning and then the venturers who get here two weeks after that on the 29 January. Soon this place will be home to over 100 people!

Plans are now getting finalised and everyone’s cracking through all those to do list we made at the start of the week, or making a small dent in them at least with the help of some emergency mini-eggs.

Field base is looking fabulous dahlings after having a bit of a makeover. It’s amazing what can be done with some broken chairs, a few bits of material and a spangly cushion as Becca has transformed the side area into a lovely Moroccan cafe area, fabulous!

Breakfast time

As well as sorting out field base and getting all the planning finalised, we’ve also had a chance to get out and about which has been great, even if it did involve being stalked by a cow... more of this later.

On Tuesday afternoon we headed off for a swimming test at a beautiful river close by. 

The river was teaming with fish and then field base staff and we soon drew quite a crowd...

There was also a fantastic temple at the river which we visited after the dip. 

Here’s our Olly, the trek leader from the last expedition who’s been staying here for a few days, telling us the story of the temple...

We all made a mental note not to meditate for longer six years at a time from now on, just in case.

On the way back to field base after the swim, we stopped for some chai and cake and were soon surrounded by all the school kids on their way home who showed us their brilliantly decorated bikes and then waved us off.

It was an incredible experience and it taught me that I need to get some seriously good decorations for my bike when I return to the UK.

Then on Wednesday it was time to head into the local city of Mysore for the first time to run some errands, have a look around and see some very strange cakes...

The Logistics team had were doing their best ‘Apprentice’ impersonations by having to get the best prices on all sorts of items for the expedition from various suppliers so their bartering skills were definitely put to the test during some very lengthy negotiations!

Becca from logistics bartering with 'Harry' who supplies the best biscuits in town along with a lot of our other expedition grub.

Whilst the logs team discussions we going on the rest of us were able to have a wander about and see some of the other sights of Mysore.

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This is when I first noticed the cow causing quite a stir in the busy traffic. He followed us up the road but we cunningly managed to lose him by jumping into one of the narrow alleys. Or so we thought...

Then yesterday it was time for me to head back into Mysore to meet with Shravan, the designer of the expedition magazine. The meeting went well and we're all set to get started on it once all the training has been completed.

Here are some other shots from today...

Teja in the logs room sorting out the kit for the venturers who will be joining us from different parts of India.

The lovely Suma, one of Manglamma's daughters. popped in after school and tried on my hat and sunnies, looking good!

We also held a naming ceremony for our new pets, so we currently have William, Kate and Harry the toads, Peter (Andre) and Kerry (Katona) the GIANT spiders and Sid the cobra who has been known to make an appearance in the logs shed but we're hoping he's away on holiday until mid April.

Crikey that's another epic one, I'll try and keep them shorter in future but there's so much going on it's tricky.Off now to pick up the project managers from Bangalore airport as they arrive first thing tomorrow morning and then we're into two weeks of induction training, can't wait!

Expedition 11A is go!

Hello hello from India and welcome to the blog for the 11A expedition. This first post is pretty hefty as there’s so much to say, so keep reading as it gets really good towards the end, honest…

After an amazing five hour journey from Banagalore with the Raleigh drivers Prashanth and Manju, the bleary eyed advance team arrived at field base to a lovely welcoming ceremony with Manglamma and her daughters who we’ll be living alongside.

Bravo 1 and 2

There's so much to see on the way from Bangalore and it's a quick introduction into the Indian style of driving!

The  very tired field base team with our lovely jasmine garlands from Manglamma.

So now we’re settling in and getting everything ready for the arrival of the rest of the gang. We’re getting through lots of coffee and many, many ‘to do’ list are being written. We've also learnt to eat curry with one hand and no cutlery (messy!) and been getting to know the local wildlife pretty well. Being joined in the shower by two toads was definitely a first.

Ok so before I introduce the field base team and our new home, I just wanted to explain a bit about this blog and how it works for those out in here on expedition in India as well as you guys reading about your family and friends who will be coming to join us very soon.

The blog will be updated 2-3 times a week with news and photos of what everyone is up to, who’s working on what, how the projects are going, plus gossip on who’s got the best tan and who’s the most glam after not washing for five days – you know, the really important stuff!

This blog is also how you can send messages to people out here on expedition to let them know you’re thinking about them and reading about what they’re up to. The venturers and project managers will have no access to phones or the internet whilst out on project sites for a few weeks at a time, so coming back to field base to messages from friends and family really does create some huge smiles and possibly a few tears, but good tears. All messages for individuals will be printed, cut out and handed to them when they return back to field base between phases so it’s like getting their own letters through the post from you guys back home, just without having to wait a few weeks for the post!

While they’re out on project sites, venturers and the project managers will also have a blogbook that they can write messages in for friends and family and we’ll post these on the blog so you can see their responses to your comments. So use this blog to keep us posted on all the gossip from wherever you are and we’ll be doing the same in return.

Right, now onto the 11A field base team. Joining the permanent staff of Mark (country director), Julia (country expedition manager) Deepak (facilities manager) and Big Manju, Prashanth and Little Manju (the drivers) we also have…

  

We’re also going to be joined by Kathryn our photographer when the project managers arrive on Saturday so we’ll get her mug shot on here as soon as she arrives.

And here’s a quick tour of field base for you...

View as you come in the gates.

The main building and offices.

The field base staff and project manager dorm.

It's a large bamboo and grass hut open at the front and on the sides.

There are triple layer bunk beds with wooden boards to sleep on, so a good sleeping mat that works is a must, believe me! We were relieved to discover that the toilets are western and there are showers in the form of a tap, a bucket and a jug. There's also a few mirrors hung up and we've installed an amazing travel hairdryer for fringe emergencies. We've put in a request for a hot-tub but haven't heard anything back as yet...

The venturers dorm is right next door and in the same style just with a LOT more beds.

Next door to the venturer dorm is the dining hall where many a feast shall be had.

The new classroom building where we'll all be training together.

The logistics shed where all the expedition supplies are kept and the view back down the track past the dorms, the field base main building and out the gates.

Directly opposite the field base office is where the bravos are kept and to the left is the all important generator building for when power deserts us.

An incredible sunset that we witnessed last night.

Wow, that was a whopper, and there's so much more to come! Right, better go and decide what to name those toads, back soon...