The Beginning of the end......

Although it only felt like a few short moments ago that the 11J expedition began, the end is now in sight. 

The groups started arriving back in this morning from the project sites and spent the morning greeting what now seem like old friends, reviewing the last phase and sorting out all the equipment that has been used to do all the hard work of the past 10 weeks.

The fieldbase team have been working hard to ensure that the last few days of expedition are packed full of fun!  Tonight we have the skits so the groups can show us what they have all been up to and usually this has a large comedy element then tomorrow we have prepared some Fun Stations for the groups to go round before we have our final slideshow and meal together and dance the night away!

For followers of the Echo 4 group, don't worry - they are on their way back but have been slightly delayed due to a late running train, they will be with us soon though! 

Keep a look out for the last blog and photo's of all our final fun which will be coming soon.....

Carolyn

Off to the beach!

Guest bloggers Lee and Hannah here.

We have just got back from our trip up to Velas visiting Echo 4.

Our journey started with an overnight stay in Bangalore with an early flight up to Mumbai. After a 7 hour journey from Mumbai we arrived with Echo 4 feeling a little tired but ready to get stuck in.

Echo 4 are at a beautiful campsite contained in a small cluster of pine trees on the edge of the beach. The group made us feel welcome by preparing our ‘beds’ for us and making us dinner. The menu was chips and omelette which went down a treat. Following dinner we sat around a bonfire on the beach and did a quick shift on turtle watch. Unfortunately we didn’t see any turtles but we haven’t given up hope.

The following day after a good night’s sleep we were awoken with pancakes and the prospect of a hard mornings work.  We set out to work carrying bricks and cement for the building of two gates along the path to the beach. The group had built a stretcher to make carrying the 30kg bricks a lot easier as Anna took her place as cement mixer.

After lunch the group took us on a brief tour of what we were missing out on by being nowhere near a beach in Mysore. We went to a nearby rock pool and relaxed before the group set up a slip ‘n’ slide down the beach. The slip ‘n’ slide consisted of some plastic sheeting with some soapy water poured on it and was aimed into the sea. It was amazing. We also managed to fit in a game of cricket followed by a game of football with the locals.

On the menu in the evening was chicken with cheesy potatoes and cauliflower. This was followed by a review and then an unsuccessful search for turtles before bed.

We left Echo 4 at 7:00 and began the 7 hour drive back to Mumbai. We both really enjoyed our time at Echo 4 and have massive envy towards their camp.

We have a blog message from Lisa:

To Nan, Pap’s, Bernie, Jo, Kate, Mel, Tina and Stephen. Thanks for the messages guys, miss you all loads. Having a good time out here but can’t wait to come back and tell you all the random stories. I will be home in a week, Thursday 15^th, see you all soon. Love Lisa xxx.

Out of Field Base and into The Loop

Hannah FB medic here.

I had the good luck to join Helen on the last loop of 11J visiting Tango 5, Echo 3 and Charlie 1.

Helen in Top Gun attire working hard in the office before heading out on loop

Please find below, in true Raleigh review style, the highs (and very few lows) we experienced on the way....

Tango 5

Highs

• Johnny and Lavinia singing Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly" - amused by hearing that Johnny strums team sing-a-longs along whilst trekking
• Charlie's chuffed-ness after her request for binoculars to spot the wildlife from FB was fulfilled

• Lavinia's camp cooking - of course it wouldn't have been half as good without Jake's chopping and Steph's stirring! 
• Ambience generated by team spirit - made me feel fuzzy inside.
• Sinterklaas parcel from Esmee's mum including a packet of pepernoten for all trekkers and loop members - thank you!  Confused?  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas
• Another parcel - this time for Lavinia from home with birthday goodies
• Pamper evening for loop members including beautiful henna hand-painting.

Esmee showing the loop how to draw beautiful henna designs

Lows

• Leaving Tango 5 - I miss trekking with Muddy Boots!

Tango 5, Helen, Hannah and the guitar!

Echo 3

Highs

• Awesome campsite!  Two-tiered amphitheatre built from bamboo around the campfire.  Brilliant.

• Blind Date hosted by Robyn and Victor with the loop members doing the choosing from 3 screened-off venturers - answers a little too risque for the blog but suffice to say the first dates went well.  
• Food - sweet and sour one evening, followed by banoffee pie with dessicated coconut.  Next evening treated to egg noodles with a delicious satay sauce.  Innovative use of Raleigh food!
• Music - 80s cheese and Mumford and Sons 
• Escaping without head lice
• Again great team atmosphere in a homely environment

Lows

• The Safety game - yuk - Andy has a lot to answer for!
• The long drop - yuk yuk.

Charlie 1

Highs

• Tangible hard graft had been done by the team in the first half of the phase with all 10 toilets nearing completion - good work guys!

• Shafi's chicken curry, fish fry and parothas - outstanding.  The hours he spent in the kitchen were much appreciated.

• Playing "In The Box" and the team putting up with my being a stickler for the rules

• Wandering through Maligali and soaking up village life - seeing the process at the dairy whereby locals brought along their pails of milk, it would be assessed and weighed, a receipt for volume given and decanted into churns to be taken to town for sale

• The team having an arts and crafts session with the local kids during which they made an advent calendar

Lows

• Charlie 1 being the end of the loop and heading back to Fieldbase for the end of expedition!!

Hannah, Fieldbase Medic

Here are some of the messages we picked up from some of the venturers on the loop. Apologies if the Dutch is wrong, I tried my best to type it up. Helen 

Blog Message from Elizabeth Gattrell – Tango 5

Dear the Gattrells!

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven’t been in touch much.  I am trekking in the jungle, it is really hard and I still can’t believe I am doing it. You would be shocked at the things I am doing and my manly attire.  Can’t wait to come home for xmas and see you all, especially your outstanding progress mum, am really proud of you and thankful to all the family for taking care of you so well.  I miss you all dearly.  Met some wonderful people here, we all help each other through the hard times but sometimes you just want your family.  Know what I mean!  Anyway off to do some raft building and then onto the lake with the help of the FIT Indian guide lad!

Love and miss your kangaroo mum, all my love always, in all ways,

Lizzie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mum,

Just wanted to say how happy I am to hear you are doing so well.  I really can’t wait to see all of your progress in action and to finally see you settled at home.  I am missing you so much here but will have lots of funny stories for you to make even funnier.  Have sent another letter home but I may get there before it.  So just to tell you I’m fine and that I love you! Your braveness is living on in me throughout this, anyway i’ll be seeing you very soon, Lots of love

Jungle Lizzie xxxxx

Blog message from Emma Christopher, Tango 5

Hi Mum, Dad and Freddie,

Thank you for your blog message, it’s so good to hear from you and it was delivered to us on a day when I really needed a pick me up!  I’m glad to hear everyone is well at home.  I’m missing you all so much but not feeling homesick as there is so much going on here.  It’s not long until I come home so I ‘m going to enjoy every day I have left.  We are well into our trek now... it’s killing me! No , really! It’s such a physical challenge but the mental challenge is even harder.  I have never felt so gross in my life, I stink!  But so does everyone else so all is good!  I cannot wait to see you all soon, lots of love Emma xxxxx

Blog message from Esmee, Tango 5

Ome Ab & Tante Nel,

Lieve ome Ab en tante Nel, Huub & Meckel,

De loop bracht vandaag onze post en bericht jes en daar zat een kaartje wan jullie by!Heel erg lenk bin wat van jullie te horen en bedankt voor het kaartje.  Hier jchat alles prima, neg 7 weken en dan ben in alweer Heins :) Dikke kus Esmee

Lieve pam,

Ik heb miet veel tjd wu.  Maar heel erg bedankt voor je lenke terberichtje Tim een vriendin, dat was een verrassing! Haha! Wel heel erg lenk. Graetje dan de fam en een dikke kus, Esmee

Lieve mama, papa & Lieke,

De pepernoten en het godicht zyn aangekomln heer! De gruep heeft ervar genoven. Ih wilde je een rief sturen maar die ben ik vergeten. Das die krijj je Vals in terzeg ben. Ook die van lieke is kwijt. Is die oor papa al gearriveerd? Ik sturr welee brief voor de meiden via jullie. Er zitten foto’s bij, dus dan kumnen jullie die bekjken! Ook een klein cadeanje voor fiek zik erbij.  Alles eped hier. Na 2 dagen rash, want Stef kar niet verder en heeft even tydnodig I om bj te komen. Hert is eigenligh neit nwaar, meevalle dus, haha!  Otja, kurinen jullie pepernoten mix bewaren, biodat ik die kan bakken als ik terug komi? Hopeligh gaat daar ook alles good , maar daar twigfel ik eigenlijk wief aan!  Heel veel liefts en kassen! Esmee

Lieve Elien & Nienke, & nateuertjk de andere meiden,

Jullie kaartjes vyn helaas (neg) niet aangekoman (voor eline en Nienke) Ik ben nu 7 dagen op trek en het is echt heel erg leik. Ooh een dag gefitsk.  Bergopwaards en dan racen naar beneden. Beetje eng wel, haha! Over 2 weekjes al weer henis, kan niet wachten on jullie allemaal weer te zien. Eline, is net gelukt met kaartje voor rauw & lauw? :)

Ik heb jeen tyd meer schatten! Dikke kus Es.

Ps eln nieuwe brief & foto’s is onderweg.

Blog message from Robyn Brooks, Echo 3

To Mum and Pops,

Hiya! Was so nice to get blog messages off you all last night, really good to know that you are all okay!  Miss you both millions! Was thinking the other day about how nice it will be to come out of the Airport and see you all, I cannot wait!  Hope your arranging my homecoming party;)  Although, when you pick me up, no matter how far or close it is, we are stopping at McDonalds!  Honestly cannot wait to see you, have so much to tell you all! Tell fat head I got his blog message, it’s taken him this long to write that one sentence!  Some things never change, HaHa!  Send Grandma and Bob my love, tell them I got the millions of messages and letters and I cannot wait to see them! Give Lucas and Lilah a HUGE kiss from me and I will see you all in 14 days! GET EXCITED! Love you all so much Bobbin xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Blog messages from Lucy Shipp, Echo 3

To Mum,

Hello! Sad not to hear from you on the blog, but thank you for the mini birthday parcel.  Am being very restrained and saving the post until tomorrow – it’s quite hard, they are snuggled away under my pillow!  Having a lovely time by the reservoir; lots of swimming, a little yoga and massive amounts of digging.  It’s nice to have a bit of personal space after the school in Malligalli.  Our camp is really incredible – we even have a swing.  Hope things are going will at home, not long now until I’m back – we already have Christmas decorations in the camp! Miss you lots, Lucy xxx

To Ekta,

I was so happy and surprised to see that little envelope from you! I’m being really disciplined and not opening anything until my birthday tomorrow – I’m so excited to read what you’ve been up to! I’m also hoping that tomorrow might be my first hot and sunny birthday – wahoo.  Went swimming in the lake today and bobbled like a mushroom should.  Miss your face xxx

To Alice,

So excited for your new dance moves, I’ve been inventing some too. Loved hearing from you, missing your killer sneezes and happiness lots, but London not so much.  Really happy to be here. Looking forward to seeing you in the soon-ish New Year. Love xx

To Sarah,

Ahh! 2 parcels from you at last changeover – so good.  We have pimped our camp and decced it for Christmas, with a lot of help from the advent calender.  Fantastic.  So much to tell, cannot wait to get back and plan some more adventures.  Hope home is not as frustrating as it sounds, I’m sure you are remembering to have lots of fun too – look forward to hearing all about it lovely. Love xxx

For Julie Scheer’s Fam. Echo 3

Allerliefsle Fam,

Wat heerlyk jullie berichten en qedichten (mam) le ontuangen. Ons kamp hier is AMAZING! We hebben onze eigen chillroom gemazkt: I banken haha, so fyn.  Ons bad her is in enorm lake, wat helaz ook ‘t bad is van de koeien, re wordt hier letterlyk nooit schoco.  India is noq steeds waanzinnig, masr allos is zil redelys nokmaal wen it worden: koeien ipu auto ‘s Ryst, Smbar and porridge, Regenbuien die rivieren veroorzaken en de zon die meet zoeken, ‘t slepen in een hangmat onder in klamb de, engels and NI door elkaar (praat Englesin min slaap) muziek zu/7. Pieverds meet it kori howden, mzzr mail julie zondag.

Dikke x u jullie nzzns wit India.

Charlie One

Guest blogger Lee again, this time reporting from Charlie One.

I have just got back from a ten day stint with Charlie One building Eco-Sanitation toilets and am here to keep you updated.

When we arrived we set up our camp, the venturers slept in a classroom in the school while the PM’s were banished to tents outside. After we had set up camp we played a quick game of cricket and then had a tour around the village to look at the work of the competition to see what we were up against. 

After cricket we met our cook Galesh. As we were a community phase we had the pleasure of not having to cook for ourselves 99% of the time which was a welcome break from noodles for some of the venturers.

During the day we would build the toilets. We were helped by several experienced masons who were always on hand to correct a wonky brick or a bodged plastering attempt. We finished the structure of ten toilets whilst I was on Charlie One

On one of the days we were lucky enough to get invited to a wedding that was happening in the village. So we rocked up, covered in cement and dirt and hijacked the service. We posed for photographs and acted like the minor celebrities that we knew we were born to be. 

After probably ruining the couples day, although they seemed very pleased we were there, we went back to work and continued to make the toilets for the village.

Friday was a special day in camp; it was Gemma’s 18^th birthday. We wanted to make the day special for her so we took it off work and went into the local town and spent the day relaxing and sari shopping. Back at camp the group had prepared a surprise cake for Gemma to celebrate her birthday. She didn’t cry but I could tell at points she was close, it was beautiful. 

We had an extra member of the group from time to time, a puppy called either ‘Charlie’ ‘Manni’ or ‘Dog’. The group decided to buy him for 100INR only to find out that the dog was free at heart and left our camp soon after we introduced him to his new home 

None of the locals knew me by my name in the village; I was ‘John Cena – WWE Superstar, World Champion’. I think that I will leave you to be the judge of similarities.

Lee 

John Cena

That is all from me. 

Tango 6 Trekkers

Guest blogger Andy Damant here! I’m just back from a weeks trekking with the ever so lucky to have me Tango 6, here’s a run down of what we got up to:

Day one

We left field base at 06.00 for the two-day journey south into Kerala. Of course, we made regular chai, cake and ice cream stops and spent the night in Munnar to break the journey up.

Day two

Day two meant more travel by bus to reach the Silent Valley base camp aka the start of the Misapulimala Trek. 

The moment we stepped off the bus the rain began! Spirits remained high though and we completed the 4km walk to camp in just over an hour. With darkness fast approaching we set about erecting tents as the guides made a huge fire for us to huddle round and dry off. Unfortunately, during the night one of the ladies tents gave up against the wind and rain and was swiftly abandoned for hard cover!

Day three

The day started as the last had ended, heavy rain and even stronger winds! We set off at 05.30 to conquer Misapulimala herself; in English this translates to Tiger Moustache Mountain due to the shape of the ridgeline.

At 2638 meters high (8654ft), Misapulimala is southern India’s second highest peak, the scenery is staggering. As we descended, we passed through the worlds highest organic tea plantations and of course, we stopped for chai! We were so cold we ordered 36 cups between the 12 of us!

Day four

The group learnt to fend for themselves on what turned out to be a brilliant survival day. They learnt how to get drinking water from their own urine and how to make cold water from a water bottle and a sock for use in hot climates. Then with Suthakar on cooking duty the group ate like kings and queens, the menu was veg and chicken curry topped off with a sponge cake, yum yum.

Day five 

The first dry day and a very welcome blue sky as we headed down to the lake for a spot of rafting. The rafts took about 2 hours to put together and thankfully kept us afloat! Once on the far side we cut the rafts apart and trekked on to our lakeside campsite, talk about room with a view.

Day six

Another great day trekking through cardamom, tea and coffee plantations with some stunning views of Shantanpara.

                                     
Day seven

Sadly I had to say goodbye to Tango 6 and head back to field base to take care of logistics. The group were excitedly preparing for another long climb, safe in the knowledge that day 8 was a scheduled rest day! 

That’s all from me, I really enjoyed my time with Tango 6... Stay tuned for more updates from the other groups.

Andy.