I have officially been living in Buxton for 6 weeks and it has been an exciting time of learning, meeting new people and opportunity. A time that has mainly consisted of running the Stores for the Overseas Training Expeditions at the Leadership and Development Centre in Buxton, it has also taken me to Pitlochry, Scotland twice with benefits of once the work is done your time is spent on personal development. So naturally I have been out climbing and pushing my grade to prepare for my SPA assessment.
It has been an exciting time, seeing and meeting Challengers due to depart for far-flung countries all over the globe next summer and unfortunately brings back the want to travel again. Only being back from Bolivia less than 3 months I'm already eeking to get away again, but where to....
On a safe arrival back to the centre 2 weeks ago from Scotland, I had had an eventful weekend in Pitlochry where beautiful weather graced our company and a school from Glasgow had their training for their trip to Malawi next June. It was at the same time that my leading aspirations were being contemplated by the techinal and HR team back in England. They wanted me to lead this coming summer and no better placement than with a team that requested me! Yes, this team from Glasgow were very happy with me and wanted me to be their leader.
Now to be honest if this had happened a couple of weeks before I think I would have cacked myself and said no, but after being questioned about what I wanted to do next summer I put some serious thought into it, talked to many leaders that I had recently worked with and then came to the conclusion that I was ready for the plunge. With the right group, the right destination and the right itinerary plus plenty of research and preparation I would be ready!
Even so, on getting back to Buxton, I had to wait for over 2 weeks, even with my training instructor Chris making phone calls and arrangements of Potential Leader paperwork to go in, until I finally got the all clear that it was going to be my expedition. With a mixture of nerves and excitement I now write my news and plan for the start of research and preparation.
So 324 days until action (the World Challenge members site tells me) :-)
Amongst the excitement, we have the return of Jo to the centre, one of the trainee instructors that live in the little attic flat of Oaklands Manor, Buxton. The other being Aaron, who has recently moved in this week. We are now the new instructors of the Manor and are ready for the onslaught on the training expeditions that run regularly amongst other such courses. Jo has been in Morocco on a development training week, the lucky thing. Looking forward to hearing all the stories and look through the photos! And then we have 4 days off until the next course after having back to backs running throughout October due to halfterms across the country. It will be nice for some quiet time and more time to get out climbing working towards my assessment which is penciled in for April time.
And with that, I return to looking out over the Peak District, waiting for the return of the groups tomorrow :-)
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Good news!
As ever it has been hectic! I have officially zig zagged around the country about eight times in only 3 weeks or so. I have just finished a couple of expeditions for Duke of Edinburgh with work only down in the Chiltern Hills then around the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District. Interspersed with that I have been to some job interviews and been working on the Adventure Quest work in Buxton and Bushey. Fun it has all been and with living out of my car for about 2 weeks since leaving home last, I have finally returned to Dunstable with the expeditions under my belt, being signed off to run high ropes courses around the country and.........a NEW JOB!
Yes I am finally sure on my movement and it will be to Buxton on either 20th or 21st September to take up the new trainee instructor position at the World Challenge Expeditions centre in the beautiful Peak District! I had been tipped off about the position opening up again this September so quickly threw a beautiful CV together, got my log books together then zoomed up to Buxton for the nerve-racking interview. It was pretty laid back but as usual I suffer under 'interview-pressure'. It all paid off though as after 2 weeks of waiting to hear back from them I was doing some shadowing at the centre for the week and was then told the good news. It was definitely a relief to finally know the outcome. I had been quite positive but then everyone else was telling me that I would no doubt get the job but then I thought I might be devastated if I didn't so went with the negative view. It all worked out though :-)
So the job is actually a 6 month placement where I will be 1 of 3 trainee instructors living in the centre with a small wage, helping to run the training expeditions for the groups going abroad in the summer, as well as running the stores, being on call if there are any problems, being the face of World Challenge, centre assistant, plus all the menial jobs like folding tents and pairing up boots. We also have a personal development programme where I will be able to finish my SPA climbing award and start working towards my kayaking qualifications. It's going to be an intense 6 months which I know is going to be hard work but it's an opportunity to be working over the quiet winter period and work towards further qualifications. It was even mentioned about possible trips to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Morocco! It boils down really to have dedicated you are to the work and what you put in reflects what you get out of it so I'm looking to be very busy. I can't wait :-)
Yes I am finally sure on my movement and it will be to Buxton on either 20th or 21st September to take up the new trainee instructor position at the World Challenge Expeditions centre in the beautiful Peak District! I had been tipped off about the position opening up again this September so quickly threw a beautiful CV together, got my log books together then zoomed up to Buxton for the nerve-racking interview. It was pretty laid back but as usual I suffer under 'interview-pressure'. It all paid off though as after 2 weeks of waiting to hear back from them I was doing some shadowing at the centre for the week and was then told the good news. It was definitely a relief to finally know the outcome. I had been quite positive but then everyone else was telling me that I would no doubt get the job but then I thought I might be devastated if I didn't so went with the negative view. It all worked out though :-)
So the job is actually a 6 month placement where I will be 1 of 3 trainee instructors living in the centre with a small wage, helping to run the training expeditions for the groups going abroad in the summer, as well as running the stores, being on call if there are any problems, being the face of World Challenge, centre assistant, plus all the menial jobs like folding tents and pairing up boots. We also have a personal development programme where I will be able to finish my SPA climbing award and start working towards my kayaking qualifications. It's going to be an intense 6 months which I know is going to be hard work but it's an opportunity to be working over the quiet winter period and work towards further qualifications. It was even mentioned about possible trips to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Morocco! It boils down really to have dedicated you are to the work and what you put in reflects what you get out of it so I'm looking to be very busy. I can't wait :-)
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
It was the plan... opps!
Well the plan was to be able to log in and blog as much as possible but unfortunately, though it wasn't exactely hard to find the Internet, time was against me with the amount of work and how busy we were scrambling around Bolivia! I was so busy I even forgot it was Dad's birthday which I'm sure he wasn't happy about but it wasn't until I was camped on the Isla del Sol with my diary (which also suffered) that I realised that it was the 16th July and I wasn't going to be in a town for another week.
I did try to get to the Internet once back in the capital, La Paz but it was all action stations to organise everything for the main trek which was an epic 4 day trek across the Yungas Cruz high up in the Andes! The views were amazingly beautiful that even the photos can't show but the memories will be there forever.
Once back from the trek we then had the excitement of heading down to Rurrenbaque, the jungle which was the bit that most were looking forward to out of the whole trip. Also the one bit of the trip that went completely wrong. The flights down there were cancelled for 2 days and with much disappointment and upset we had to bail the idea and spent another day or so trying to claim money back for the flights and tour. We then were given an option to go down to a place called Corioco which was a nice change from La Paz. We then headed back to the capital (which also went badly) for a couple of day trips. We ended up getting stuck on a mountain pass 4000+ metres in tonnes of snow. The traffic jams were crazy but again the views were amazing. We managed to spend the day preparing for the project we were working on in a remote village then visited an Inca remains site before boarding a night bus down to the Uyuni Salt Plains.
The Uyuni tour was amazing, the one thing that I was seriously looking forward and it was mindboggling how vast it was! This huge lake that didn't exist anymore, just a huge salt plain with the random cactus islands then bordered with the Chilen mountains. Words again can't explain the sight but it was fantastic. There, of course, were the problems of communication which resulted in the night that could reach as low as -20C and our bags, sleeping bags and warm clothes didn't turn up. The group had to pair up and huddle all night, thankfully it didn't reach -20C, only around -5C or so but then a boy got really sick and we were really worried allnight. The leaders got no sleep as we nursed he through the cold. We were very lucky to have had a doctor staying in the same hacienda as us and helped us out. The next morning he was much better so no sleep for us helped alot. We were then off to the geyseurs, hot springs and finally onto the village of Santiago 'K' where we were to be based for 5 days working on our project/
The project consisted of re-painting the school theatre as well as replastering the walls and also digging a cess-pit due to their lack of a sewage system. It was quite hard labour but was such a beneficial phase of the expedition for the group, especially the interactions with the kids of the village. I think it was one of the best bits of the expedition minus (of course) the problems of the lack of food, communication and understanding between us and the locals and then the poor project organiser which I won't go into on here.
The trip, for me, unfortunately ended on a bummer for me as I got travel sick travelling back to the capital and then I went on to get sickness. I ended up missing the last dinner, along with the leader who got me strong enough to travel back to the UK. We did have the downer of one of the group members losing his passport on the last day so he had to stay out in country with the teacher. So we went from 17 to 15 for travelling home. Still waiting on news on whether they are home yet, fingers crossed! Even the travel through America was scarred with passport problems but eventually we arrived back at Heathrow VERY shattered. The M25 was the last straw not allowing Mum and Dad to get to the airport on time but by 3pm on the Saturday I was back in Dunstable.
The trip was probably the most amazing form of work experience. It was a bit of a bummer that so much went wrong but so much went right as well. If the situations every happened again I would have the knowledge and understanding to sort them out as best as possible which is great for if I end up leading a group next summer. Bolivia is such an amazing country and I can't wait to get out to South America again and to explore more countries. Role on the opportunity for Peru and Machu Picchu. But for now I will be content with the UK and getting on the road for work :-)
I did try to get to the Internet once back in the capital, La Paz but it was all action stations to organise everything for the main trek which was an epic 4 day trek across the Yungas Cruz high up in the Andes! The views were amazingly beautiful that even the photos can't show but the memories will be there forever.
Once back from the trek we then had the excitement of heading down to Rurrenbaque, the jungle which was the bit that most were looking forward to out of the whole trip. Also the one bit of the trip that went completely wrong. The flights down there were cancelled for 2 days and with much disappointment and upset we had to bail the idea and spent another day or so trying to claim money back for the flights and tour. We then were given an option to go down to a place called Corioco which was a nice change from La Paz. We then headed back to the capital (which also went badly) for a couple of day trips. We ended up getting stuck on a mountain pass 4000+ metres in tonnes of snow. The traffic jams were crazy but again the views were amazing. We managed to spend the day preparing for the project we were working on in a remote village then visited an Inca remains site before boarding a night bus down to the Uyuni Salt Plains.
The Uyuni tour was amazing, the one thing that I was seriously looking forward and it was mindboggling how vast it was! This huge lake that didn't exist anymore, just a huge salt plain with the random cactus islands then bordered with the Chilen mountains. Words again can't explain the sight but it was fantastic. There, of course, were the problems of communication which resulted in the night that could reach as low as -20C and our bags, sleeping bags and warm clothes didn't turn up. The group had to pair up and huddle all night, thankfully it didn't reach -20C, only around -5C or so but then a boy got really sick and we were really worried allnight. The leaders got no sleep as we nursed he through the cold. We were very lucky to have had a doctor staying in the same hacienda as us and helped us out. The next morning he was much better so no sleep for us helped alot. We were then off to the geyseurs, hot springs and finally onto the village of Santiago 'K' where we were to be based for 5 days working on our project/
The project consisted of re-painting the school theatre as well as replastering the walls and also digging a cess-pit due to their lack of a sewage system. It was quite hard labour but was such a beneficial phase of the expedition for the group, especially the interactions with the kids of the village. I think it was one of the best bits of the expedition minus (of course) the problems of the lack of food, communication and understanding between us and the locals and then the poor project organiser which I won't go into on here.
The trip, for me, unfortunately ended on a bummer for me as I got travel sick travelling back to the capital and then I went on to get sickness. I ended up missing the last dinner, along with the leader who got me strong enough to travel back to the UK. We did have the downer of one of the group members losing his passport on the last day so he had to stay out in country with the teacher. So we went from 17 to 15 for travelling home. Still waiting on news on whether they are home yet, fingers crossed! Even the travel through America was scarred with passport problems but eventually we arrived back at Heathrow VERY shattered. The M25 was the last straw not allowing Mum and Dad to get to the airport on time but by 3pm on the Saturday I was back in Dunstable.
The trip was probably the most amazing form of work experience. It was a bit of a bummer that so much went wrong but so much went right as well. If the situations every happened again I would have the knowledge and understanding to sort them out as best as possible which is great for if I end up leading a group next summer. Bolivia is such an amazing country and I can't wait to get out to South America again and to explore more countries. Role on the opportunity for Peru and Machu Picchu. But for now I will be content with the UK and getting on the road for work :-)
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Welcome to Boliviaª
Now I already know that my Dad will be still pacing up and down the hallway waiting for me to make some contact but sorry its a busy time watching over 17 people in a developing country.
We arrived into La Paz and my god the altitude hit us like a tonne of bricks suffocating us. It was even worst at night as it was rather cold and my down jacket was definitely a good call.
We have since sent 3 days travelling to and from as well as walking around the Isla del Sol where there are Inca ruins, amazing views of the huge mountains spanning the Altiplano, llamas, donkeys, Bolivia ladies in their tophats and beautiful fabrics to carry anything from luggage to children on their backs.
It hasnt been a culture shock, not so much as India was back at the beginning of the year but the altitude makes walking very hard, especially as the whole of La Paz is on a hill. I was literally dying from just climbing the stairs. That has since changed and we are much better acclimatised after reaching and trekking around 4000 metres plus. We have camped on the beaches at Copacabana and Isla del Sol, watching amazing sunrises and sunsets over looking Lake Titicaca, bartered at markets for food, been to the Witches market of La Paz where dried llama fetuses are a sacred thing to have in the house, the coca leaves can be found everywhere but I havent found myself near any yet.
We are due to leave to do the Yungas Trek in the high mountains this Friday for 5 days trekking. We will have mules for our kit and a safety horse if anyone is feeling ill. We have a couple of bouts of illness at the moment but nothing too serious. I am currently in charge today as the leader has a rest day to recover from his bout of illness. Exciting stuff.
For now though I am off helping to buy up all the food for the 5 day trek which should be interesting as their is the 200 years anniversary of the Independance of La Paz so Im not sure what will be open.
Will try to update soon. For now though Adidos.
We arrived into La Paz and my god the altitude hit us like a tonne of bricks suffocating us. It was even worst at night as it was rather cold and my down jacket was definitely a good call.
We have since sent 3 days travelling to and from as well as walking around the Isla del Sol where there are Inca ruins, amazing views of the huge mountains spanning the Altiplano, llamas, donkeys, Bolivia ladies in their tophats and beautiful fabrics to carry anything from luggage to children on their backs.
It hasnt been a culture shock, not so much as India was back at the beginning of the year but the altitude makes walking very hard, especially as the whole of La Paz is on a hill. I was literally dying from just climbing the stairs. That has since changed and we are much better acclimatised after reaching and trekking around 4000 metres plus. We have camped on the beaches at Copacabana and Isla del Sol, watching amazing sunrises and sunsets over looking Lake Titicaca, bartered at markets for food, been to the Witches market of La Paz where dried llama fetuses are a sacred thing to have in the house, the coca leaves can be found everywhere but I havent found myself near any yet.
We are due to leave to do the Yungas Trek in the high mountains this Friday for 5 days trekking. We will have mules for our kit and a safety horse if anyone is feeling ill. We have a couple of bouts of illness at the moment but nothing too serious. I am currently in charge today as the leader has a rest day to recover from his bout of illness. Exciting stuff.
For now though I am off helping to buy up all the food for the 5 day trek which should be interesting as their is the 200 years anniversary of the Independance of La Paz so Im not sure what will be open.
Will try to update soon. For now though Adidos.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
18 days straight...
What a hectic 18 days but dear god they were so much fun. That's 2 days training down in the New Forest for a Silver DoE followed by the 3 day practice expedition, race back to Stoke via a pit stop in Bicester to see the parents and grandparents for Father's Day then a Gold expedition in the Dark Peak not before collecting my degree results (2:1) and then after ending a day early from an amazing group from Thatcham, I zoomed back to Stoke and back up to Buxton on the train to be a Team Leader for a residential with World Challenge all rounded off with another Gold expedition in the Yorkshire Dales!! And yes, I'm absolutely shattered, though still waking up at an instilled 6am :-(
The Gold expeditions were the usual, working with the British Gas apprentices, a group from Thatcham and 2 from the Leeds academy. All very determined lads and ladies that all passed with flying colours, well done guys. The Silver was a stretch for the minds as the whole Silver process from training to qualifying happened in less than 2 weeks. Again very determined youths that performed amazingly. The WC residential, which I was truely nervous about, was a real change to the usual work that I was used to. It was a 6am (or before) start setting up camp for the 14 year olds, going climbing, abseiling, raft building, a selection of high rope problems, cooking on trangias, continual team building games and reviews.... pretty full on that us leaders weren't going to bed until 11pm after being debriefed ourselves.
The residential was probably a setting stone for my life within the outdoor industry in terms of dealing with a situation that has never happened before but is likely to occur again sometime. I had to call for an ambulance in what turned out to be no more than a severe winding and cramping trapping some nerves after a slip on the raft. Thinking back to it I'm not really sure how I dealt with the situation but was later told that it was a 'text book reaction' which was very encouraging and reassuring as I was pretty shock up over it. Thankfully it was nothing too serious though could have been in another situation but now I know what to do and can be confident in my reactions to such an incident again. In a way I'm glad it has happened and my training through World Challenge was put into place. Let's hope that I don't have to deal with any emergency crews again though.
So it has come to the last 4 days of saying that I live in Stoke on Trent. I spent the most of today packing up my room ready for the parents to come and take it all away on Tuesday not before graduation on Monday at 11.30 at Trentham Gardens. I even decided to buy a new pair of smart trousers for the occasion, and if people are really lucky I might even wear a pair of heels (wait while people get a chair to sit down from shock!). It has been a defining part of my life, University, and it feels very strange that I'm now set for the big bad world and a life of working at last. It's going to be really sad moving away, though it will only be in Buxton. The next step of excitingness has commenced :-)
But not before heading out to Bolivia for 32 days with World Challenge Expeditions next Wednesday/Thursday! Oh my, I can't believe how quickly it has come around and as I pack away my room and house I now have a rather huge pile accumlating of kit to take out with me. Really going to have to try and hold the nerves until at least Tuesday evening so I can say a proper goodbye to Stoke. Thankfully some people are going to be still in Stoke so it's not like I'm being completely cut away from the area, especially with work being based only up the A500.
But for now, its graduation and travels before moving to Buxton and working the life of an outdoor instructor :-) I hope to update whilst in Bolivia. If not it's going to be some epic updating once back in Blighty.
The Gold expeditions were the usual, working with the British Gas apprentices, a group from Thatcham and 2 from the Leeds academy. All very determined lads and ladies that all passed with flying colours, well done guys. The Silver was a stretch for the minds as the whole Silver process from training to qualifying happened in less than 2 weeks. Again very determined youths that performed amazingly. The WC residential, which I was truely nervous about, was a real change to the usual work that I was used to. It was a 6am (or before) start setting up camp for the 14 year olds, going climbing, abseiling, raft building, a selection of high rope problems, cooking on trangias, continual team building games and reviews.... pretty full on that us leaders weren't going to bed until 11pm after being debriefed ourselves.
The residential was probably a setting stone for my life within the outdoor industry in terms of dealing with a situation that has never happened before but is likely to occur again sometime. I had to call for an ambulance in what turned out to be no more than a severe winding and cramping trapping some nerves after a slip on the raft. Thinking back to it I'm not really sure how I dealt with the situation but was later told that it was a 'text book reaction' which was very encouraging and reassuring as I was pretty shock up over it. Thankfully it was nothing too serious though could have been in another situation but now I know what to do and can be confident in my reactions to such an incident again. In a way I'm glad it has happened and my training through World Challenge was put into place. Let's hope that I don't have to deal with any emergency crews again though.
So it has come to the last 4 days of saying that I live in Stoke on Trent. I spent the most of today packing up my room ready for the parents to come and take it all away on Tuesday not before graduation on Monday at 11.30 at Trentham Gardens. I even decided to buy a new pair of smart trousers for the occasion, and if people are really lucky I might even wear a pair of heels (wait while people get a chair to sit down from shock!). It has been a defining part of my life, University, and it feels very strange that I'm now set for the big bad world and a life of working at last. It's going to be really sad moving away, though it will only be in Buxton. The next step of excitingness has commenced :-)
But not before heading out to Bolivia for 32 days with World Challenge Expeditions next Wednesday/Thursday! Oh my, I can't believe how quickly it has come around and as I pack away my room and house I now have a rather huge pile accumlating of kit to take out with me. Really going to have to try and hold the nerves until at least Tuesday evening so I can say a proper goodbye to Stoke. Thankfully some people are going to be still in Stoke so it's not like I'm being completely cut away from the area, especially with work being based only up the A500.
But for now, its graduation and travels before moving to Buxton and working the life of an outdoor instructor :-) I hope to update whilst in Bolivia. If not it's going to be some epic updating once back in Blighty.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Dales and Peaks
Now I'm not going to complain but what a hectic 7 days of work! Bloody awesome though :-)
The week started with a very early start for the Yorkshire Dales where we had a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Assessement on, where I was the assessor after newly 'qualifying'. I was being shadowed for the week but there isn't alot extra to do on top of the usual duties on working with a group. The Monday was an absolutely beautiful day that once all the kit was handed out, tents were up and lunch done with we basically spent the rest of the afternoon getting rather burnt while the British Gas apprentices were playing football and throwing a frisbee. We even had a brave guy who jumped into the plunge pool in the river, which was freezing! It was that hot though. I wound down in the evening after having drove all the way up there and organising for the afternoon, taking a walk up to the village of Middlesmoor whilst camping at Spean. It was a beautiful evening and the views out over the Dale was fantastic.
The week involved a sprightly jaunt up Great Whernside, keeping up with my ex-military co-worker, in the extreme heat. I really need to get fitter before heading off to Bolivia, where we met very slow walking groups but after the first day the guys starting getting used to the pain and hardship involved with carrying your life on your back. Another 3 days of checking pointing and walking sections with the groups as the weathers started to detiorate throughout the week, though spirits were still reasonably high.
A very successful 5 days though as the group walked from Spean, up and over Great Whernside to Kettlewell, north to Newbiggin, across over to Leyburn ending at Aysgarth Fall, and I passed them all aswell. I even got a dinner in with Claire on the Thursday night at a pub half way between us (time whys) which made the week!
Saturday and Sunday was spent in the Peak District starting out at Ilam Hall for a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice expedition. It made it very interesting with the comparison of such time and distance during the week to just one night camping at Hulme End and then walking to Waterhouses. It was long slow walk with kids that weren't used to the rucksacks, the weight, the distance, the whole experience really. I have a great group though who were reasonably enthusiast if not a little sneaky with wanting to cut corners when I wasn't there. Little did they realise was that I could see them all day! I must have walked another half of their walk though trying to meet up with them at different places. Who would say Bronze is easy?
Sunday ended not until around 7.30pm in the end as we had to talk the students back to their school in Swadlincote then over to Sponden to dump some kit until finally back to Stoke on Trent. Well and truely shattered I sit surrounded with smelly wet kit and the weather was truely abysmal. We were lucky to have a clear evening yesterday for tents to me put up and dinner to be cooked. Us instructors were even lucky enough for a BBQ in the evening once all the kids were sorted, by the SEL (Senior Expedition Leader). It was a great evening talking to the other instructors that we normally just pass by on collecting kids and straight out on the expedition.
Thankfully, or not so, I have 9 days off now to get vaccines for Bolivia sorted, packing arranged for Bolivia, the slow packing away of the Watford Street house plus the numerous other chores to get done. I'm even going to try and cook some bread sometime this week. We'll see, all before heading off to the New Forest for a Silver Duke of Edinburgh! Fun fun :-)
The week started with a very early start for the Yorkshire Dales where we had a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Assessement on, where I was the assessor after newly 'qualifying'. I was being shadowed for the week but there isn't alot extra to do on top of the usual duties on working with a group. The Monday was an absolutely beautiful day that once all the kit was handed out, tents were up and lunch done with we basically spent the rest of the afternoon getting rather burnt while the British Gas apprentices were playing football and throwing a frisbee. We even had a brave guy who jumped into the plunge pool in the river, which was freezing! It was that hot though. I wound down in the evening after having drove all the way up there and organising for the afternoon, taking a walk up to the village of Middlesmoor whilst camping at Spean. It was a beautiful evening and the views out over the Dale was fantastic.
The week involved a sprightly jaunt up Great Whernside, keeping up with my ex-military co-worker, in the extreme heat. I really need to get fitter before heading off to Bolivia, where we met very slow walking groups but after the first day the guys starting getting used to the pain and hardship involved with carrying your life on your back. Another 3 days of checking pointing and walking sections with the groups as the weathers started to detiorate throughout the week, though spirits were still reasonably high.
A very successful 5 days though as the group walked from Spean, up and over Great Whernside to Kettlewell, north to Newbiggin, across over to Leyburn ending at Aysgarth Fall, and I passed them all aswell. I even got a dinner in with Claire on the Thursday night at a pub half way between us (time whys) which made the week!
Saturday and Sunday was spent in the Peak District starting out at Ilam Hall for a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice expedition. It made it very interesting with the comparison of such time and distance during the week to just one night camping at Hulme End and then walking to Waterhouses. It was long slow walk with kids that weren't used to the rucksacks, the weight, the distance, the whole experience really. I have a great group though who were reasonably enthusiast if not a little sneaky with wanting to cut corners when I wasn't there. Little did they realise was that I could see them all day! I must have walked another half of their walk though trying to meet up with them at different places. Who would say Bronze is easy?
Sunday ended not until around 7.30pm in the end as we had to talk the students back to their school in Swadlincote then over to Sponden to dump some kit until finally back to Stoke on Trent. Well and truely shattered I sit surrounded with smelly wet kit and the weather was truely abysmal. We were lucky to have a clear evening yesterday for tents to me put up and dinner to be cooked. Us instructors were even lucky enough for a BBQ in the evening once all the kids were sorted, by the SEL (Senior Expedition Leader). It was a great evening talking to the other instructors that we normally just pass by on collecting kids and straight out on the expedition.
Thankfully, or not so, I have 9 days off now to get vaccines for Bolivia sorted, packing arranged for Bolivia, the slow packing away of the Watford Street house plus the numerous other chores to get done. I'm even going to try and cook some bread sometime this week. We'll see, all before heading off to the New Forest for a Silver Duke of Edinburgh! Fun fun :-)
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Lake District 16th - 20th May
I had planned for a long time that once I had finished all my work for University I was going to go to the Lake District for a week or so to take a break from the rat race that I have called my life for the past few months. I hadn't expected to have anyone come with me but ended up with my new housemate, Dave a friend also on the World Challenge Apprenticeship scheme, heading up with me. It was would be a good opportunity to get to know each other as we had only actually met once before.
We headed up on the Saturday morning to Keswick where we stocked up on food and then parked up at the National Trust car park at the Great Wood where we took our rucksacks up and over Castlerigg Fell to Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove, Middle Crag over to Blea Tarn where we set up camp for the night. The weather was pretty miserable raining nearly all the time but then it cleared as we got to the tarn which was a welcome relief but then it came down again. I had the unfortunate experience of going up to my thigh in a bog and getting some very soggy boots. It was very uncomfortable and knew I would end up having wet socks for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning the weather was just as miserable. We headed up and over to Ullscarf and then followed the ridge along to High Raise where we were met with some beautiful sunshine which was a welcome relief. I still had wet socks though. We then dropped down into the West valley and followed Langstrath Beck all the way down to Stonethwaite and then we stopped at the Rosthwaite hotel where we had a drink and a little rest then we went back up to Grange Fell where we set up tent again for the night. It was blowing a gale all night and the weather again was pretty miserable but we did have some nice clear moments.
We woke up in the morning with two puddles in the corners of the tent which were worrying, it was thankfully not my tent and thankfully none of our things got wet otherwise I would have another few nights in some miserable conditions. We headed down to Watendlath and in more rain we followed the road all the way back down to the car where I happily removed my wet boots and made some lunch of beans and bacon on the stove. Yum! We ended the good weekend with a cup of tea in a cafe in Keswick and then I rearranged and sorted all my stuff for my journey to continue on. Dave dropped me at Grasmere and then I walked up to Easedale Tarn with my puzzle book and had some glorious weather. I then set up tent and watched the night fall in the sun over the tarn. Beautiful. It was these moments when I love wild camping, with no-one else around and all I have is the things on my back. So all in all we had a good time, minus the bad weather, where we decided we probably won't kill each other when we move to Buxton. I think he was quite happy to get to a warm dry house to get the last of his degree finished the Friday.
I woke to, again, some lovely weather but then as I continued up and over Blea Crag, Castle How, Lang How, Silver How, Dow Bank and Loughrigg Fell I think I had pretty much all the weather under the sun, hail, rain, gales as well as being quite burnt. I ended the day walking around Ambleside then along the lake towards Windermere, where I bailed at Brockhole for a bus to the centre of Windermere. My boots had really started to rub with the wet socks so gave in. I was shattered and was happy to finally get to the Lake District Independant Hostel. A squishy bed, shower, non-boil-in-the-bag dinner and then a little wander to the vantage point over looking Windermere and the lake with the hostel night manager finished off the day lovely.
Wednesday, I wasn't getting the train until 6pm so had a day to kill. Thankfully the guy at the hostel allowed me to leave my rucksack in the reception and I then went down to Bowness, over the lake on the car ferry and then up to High Top which is the home of Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit. It was a lovely day, sun all day and I thankfully had my flip flops with me so my feet could have a little break. I then made the trek all the way back to Windermere. I was truely shattered and was very welcome for the cup of tea from the manager man again :-)
I would have been having dinner cooked for me that evening by Ceara as I was due to be back in Stoke by 9pm but the train turned out to be cancelled which was annoying. I didn't get back until 11pm. After having a chance encounter with a lovely man who bought me some sandwiches from Booths after I lent him my phone to ring his wife to say he was going to be really late home (his phone had died). A favour for a lonely traveller :-)
All in all an awesome time away, though I ended up with some very sore feet and I also pulled a muscle in my left shoulder which is still hurting but oh well. I was away from Stoke :-)
We headed up on the Saturday morning to Keswick where we stocked up on food and then parked up at the National Trust car park at the Great Wood where we took our rucksacks up and over Castlerigg Fell to Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove, Middle Crag over to Blea Tarn where we set up camp for the night. The weather was pretty miserable raining nearly all the time but then it cleared as we got to the tarn which was a welcome relief but then it came down again. I had the unfortunate experience of going up to my thigh in a bog and getting some very soggy boots. It was very uncomfortable and knew I would end up having wet socks for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning the weather was just as miserable. We headed up and over to Ullscarf and then followed the ridge along to High Raise where we were met with some beautiful sunshine which was a welcome relief. I still had wet socks though. We then dropped down into the West valley and followed Langstrath Beck all the way down to Stonethwaite and then we stopped at the Rosthwaite hotel where we had a drink and a little rest then we went back up to Grange Fell where we set up tent again for the night. It was blowing a gale all night and the weather again was pretty miserable but we did have some nice clear moments.
We woke up in the morning with two puddles in the corners of the tent which were worrying, it was thankfully not my tent and thankfully none of our things got wet otherwise I would have another few nights in some miserable conditions. We headed down to Watendlath and in more rain we followed the road all the way back down to the car where I happily removed my wet boots and made some lunch of beans and bacon on the stove. Yum! We ended the good weekend with a cup of tea in a cafe in Keswick and then I rearranged and sorted all my stuff for my journey to continue on. Dave dropped me at Grasmere and then I walked up to Easedale Tarn with my puzzle book and had some glorious weather. I then set up tent and watched the night fall in the sun over the tarn. Beautiful. It was these moments when I love wild camping, with no-one else around and all I have is the things on my back. So all in all we had a good time, minus the bad weather, where we decided we probably won't kill each other when we move to Buxton. I think he was quite happy to get to a warm dry house to get the last of his degree finished the Friday.
I woke to, again, some lovely weather but then as I continued up and over Blea Crag, Castle How, Lang How, Silver How, Dow Bank and Loughrigg Fell I think I had pretty much all the weather under the sun, hail, rain, gales as well as being quite burnt. I ended the day walking around Ambleside then along the lake towards Windermere, where I bailed at Brockhole for a bus to the centre of Windermere. My boots had really started to rub with the wet socks so gave in. I was shattered and was happy to finally get to the Lake District Independant Hostel. A squishy bed, shower, non-boil-in-the-bag dinner and then a little wander to the vantage point over looking Windermere and the lake with the hostel night manager finished off the day lovely.
Wednesday, I wasn't getting the train until 6pm so had a day to kill. Thankfully the guy at the hostel allowed me to leave my rucksack in the reception and I then went down to Bowness, over the lake on the car ferry and then up to High Top which is the home of Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit. It was a lovely day, sun all day and I thankfully had my flip flops with me so my feet could have a little break. I then made the trek all the way back to Windermere. I was truely shattered and was very welcome for the cup of tea from the manager man again :-)
I would have been having dinner cooked for me that evening by Ceara as I was due to be back in Stoke by 9pm but the train turned out to be cancelled which was annoying. I didn't get back until 11pm. After having a chance encounter with a lovely man who bought me some sandwiches from Booths after I lent him my phone to ring his wife to say he was going to be really late home (his phone had died). A favour for a lonely traveller :-)
All in all an awesome time away, though I ended up with some very sore feet and I also pulled a muscle in my left shoulder which is still hurting but oh well. I was away from Stoke :-)
The end has arrived!
Well it has finally come around, the end of 3 years at Staffordshire University! I can't believe how quickly it has happened, 3 years have literally flown by.
My last piece went in on the 14th May and it certainly was a whirlwind for getting it done. I was a bit uncertain on the Tuesday whether I was actually going to get it finished but the printer spat it out on the Wednesday evening about 15 minutes before I was due to go out to the last Gobble (Wed night fun at the students union). I was dressed as someone for the Army just staring at the work as I stapled it together but I couldn't work out if it had hit me or not that I had no more work to do. So I headed out with a sort of weight off my shoulder, happy I could enjoy the evening without having to worry that I had to get up early the next morning to finish some work.
The evening was a lot of fun, including my first experience in the local Old Corner Cupboard pub (it's literally 2 minutes around the corner to my house but I had never been there) as well as my first LRV outting of the year (sad times). It was great to see everyone together and we had a good turn out.
The next morning would have been a welcome lie in but instead the Staffordshire University Mountaineering Club organised a fund raising consisting of an abseil off the Mellor building at the University. It has happened twice every year since being at Staffs and I had the pleasure of running the line as practice for my climbing award. One of the members of the club had a bright idea of inviting the local newspaper so we were made famous the next day in the Sentiel. And yes I am the one in the main photograph making faces as I abseiled off the building :-) The day went really well, it didn't rain until the afternoon and we made around £100 which we donated to Buxton Mountain Rescue. Good job guys! All ended in the pub that afternoon for chips and chocolate cake. It was originally planned that we were going to have a BBQ but the weather changed the plan to heading over to Shropshire Bouldering Centre.
The centre has newly been opened since I was in India so I had missed out on a couple of sessions with the guys but a group of us headed over for the evening (after I managed to grab an hours sleep). It's quite a small place but was a good evening. Was proof how weak I am though since not climbing for over 4 months. I forced a few routes out and had a catch up with some friends then went back to trying to finish writing up my India diary (no I still haven't finished it). It was a welcome sleep when we finally got home.
And that was the last day of being a student and what a cool day it was.
My last piece went in on the 14th May and it certainly was a whirlwind for getting it done. I was a bit uncertain on the Tuesday whether I was actually going to get it finished but the printer spat it out on the Wednesday evening about 15 minutes before I was due to go out to the last Gobble (Wed night fun at the students union). I was dressed as someone for the Army just staring at the work as I stapled it together but I couldn't work out if it had hit me or not that I had no more work to do. So I headed out with a sort of weight off my shoulder, happy I could enjoy the evening without having to worry that I had to get up early the next morning to finish some work.
The evening was a lot of fun, including my first experience in the local Old Corner Cupboard pub (it's literally 2 minutes around the corner to my house but I had never been there) as well as my first LRV outting of the year (sad times). It was great to see everyone together and we had a good turn out.
The next morning would have been a welcome lie in but instead the Staffordshire University Mountaineering Club organised a fund raising consisting of an abseil off the Mellor building at the University. It has happened twice every year since being at Staffs and I had the pleasure of running the line as practice for my climbing award. One of the members of the club had a bright idea of inviting the local newspaper so we were made famous the next day in the Sentiel. And yes I am the one in the main photograph making faces as I abseiled off the building :-) The day went really well, it didn't rain until the afternoon and we made around £100 which we donated to Buxton Mountain Rescue. Good job guys! All ended in the pub that afternoon for chips and chocolate cake. It was originally planned that we were going to have a BBQ but the weather changed the plan to heading over to Shropshire Bouldering Centre.
The centre has newly been opened since I was in India so I had missed out on a couple of sessions with the guys but a group of us headed over for the evening (after I managed to grab an hours sleep). It's quite a small place but was a good evening. Was proof how weak I am though since not climbing for over 4 months. I forced a few routes out and had a catch up with some friends then went back to trying to finish writing up my India diary (no I still haven't finished it). It was a welcome sleep when we finally got home.
And that was the last day of being a student and what a cool day it was.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Earth Hazards
After a very long 48 hours I have managed to complete the Earth Hazards essay aswell as the portfolio. Ran that down to reception for hand in this afternoon after taking a trip up to Hanley for some printer ink. That damn dissertation ran my poor printer dry!
Restart on the work front now for the Scottish Report on the Loch Lomond Stadial *big sigh!* Only 2 reports left, yippee! Definitely looking forward to climbing this weekend, let's hope the beautiful weather returns.
Restart on the work front now for the Scottish Report on the Loch Lomond Stadial *big sigh!* Only 2 reports left, yippee! Definitely looking forward to climbing this weekend, let's hope the beautiful weather returns.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Last few weeks of University
Well I'm afraid it hasn't been the most exciting few weeks, especially after such a manic month travelling around here and there. It has come down to the last few weeks of being at Staffordshire University and to be honest I really can't wait for all the work to be finished. I am well and truely done with studying for a while.
I am currently in the process of writing an essay for the Earth Hazard module, and as you can tell (as I have resorted to updating my Blog) I am bored. It's quite an interesting topic, how local conditions have more control over the disaster potential compared to the magnitude of an earthquake. I'm pretty much there with it but hoping to finish it tonight then it's just the Scottish Fieldtrip report to do for Thursday. The enthusiasm has completely walked out the door so it's a real struggle to get it done. Not long now and then after the Spanish fieldtrip report is in on the 14th May, that's it! Finito! :-)
Results are due the 22nd June, I believe which so happens to be when I'm working up in the Peak District so hopefully I may be allowed to disappear for a hour or so to pick them up. Scary stuff!
Apart from the lack of work that I have been doing, I have just come back from Buxton (again) to complete a Remote First Aid Training Course which was really interesting. The amount of times that you would go for First Aid training and the worry that it's not sticking to your brain, makes refresher courses worth while. The day ended with a big incident which we had to deal with, we only lost Annie (the CPR dummy - RIP). And that's the main set of training sessions done with World Challenge now and on with the preparation and organisation for heading out to Bolivia. It's going to be neat trick going to graduation, moving out of Stoke on Trent back to Dunstable and pack for Bolivia in the matter of 72 hours. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
Well I'm afraid that's the excitement for me at the moment. I'm planning on disappearing to the Lake District around the 16th May for the week to go walking and wild camping. May need to find a couple of maps first but it will be a good escape. But now it's back to the Earth Hazards essay and maybe even an exciting trip to the library. Bad times...
I am currently in the process of writing an essay for the Earth Hazard module, and as you can tell (as I have resorted to updating my Blog) I am bored. It's quite an interesting topic, how local conditions have more control over the disaster potential compared to the magnitude of an earthquake. I'm pretty much there with it but hoping to finish it tonight then it's just the Scottish Fieldtrip report to do for Thursday. The enthusiasm has completely walked out the door so it's a real struggle to get it done. Not long now and then after the Spanish fieldtrip report is in on the 14th May, that's it! Finito! :-)
Results are due the 22nd June, I believe which so happens to be when I'm working up in the Peak District so hopefully I may be allowed to disappear for a hour or so to pick them up. Scary stuff!
Apart from the lack of work that I have been doing, I have just come back from Buxton (again) to complete a Remote First Aid Training Course which was really interesting. The amount of times that you would go for First Aid training and the worry that it's not sticking to your brain, makes refresher courses worth while. The day ended with a big incident which we had to deal with, we only lost Annie (the CPR dummy - RIP). And that's the main set of training sessions done with World Challenge now and on with the preparation and organisation for heading out to Bolivia. It's going to be neat trick going to graduation, moving out of Stoke on Trent back to Dunstable and pack for Bolivia in the matter of 72 hours. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
Well I'm afraid that's the excitement for me at the moment. I'm planning on disappearing to the Lake District around the 16th May for the week to go walking and wild camping. May need to find a couple of maps first but it will be a good escape. But now it's back to the Earth Hazards essay and maybe even an exciting trip to the library. Bad times...
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Back in the UK
Well what a crazy week I have had. It has been so busy, mixed with the crap Internet connection we had at the University that I was unable to get up to date. But now I'm back in the UK and getting used to being back in cold civilisation. Thankfully we were greeted back with some gorgeous sun so I'm not freezing cold yet.
India was incredible. Since I last wrote we have been seeing all the important sights of the city like San Thome Basilica, St George's Fort and numerous temples. We have also been to one of the lecturers home to meet his family and experience a traditional Indian home. It was a wonderful experience, so generous and kind people and we even experienced the crazy trains and buses plus a ride on the back of the lecturers motorbike. We had to do it two trips so it was a welcome break of being on my own for a little while.
We then worked at Spastn, which is the (excuse the politically incorrect wording) Spastics society of Chennai. We got involved with the Early Intervention work where 0-3 year olds where helped with different skills. The parents were actively involved so that the learning could be continued at home as well. We also went into the vocational workshops where the children and young adults learnt skills such as cooking, tailoring and handicrafts which could be sold to help fund their education. We found that alot of the active work done by charities and NGO's was very much based on self help schemes which was good as it didn't rely on people needing to come in and help. It was bad on our end though as we couldn't help out as much as we wanted. It was encouraging though.
On the Friday we decided to go visit a town called Pondicherry which has alot of French links. We travelled over at 7am and it cost us equivalent of £1.20 to travel around 160 km. The return bus cost us only 55p. Everything was so cheap. In total I worked out that I spent under £85 for the whole 2 weeks. It was incredible.
Though the actual trip was meant to be based around working with the University, it was poorly organised and alot of waiting around was common place but when we were left to get on with things our self and also when working with our NGO link Niana, we got alot of things done and we definitely made the most of the trip. It was certainly a culture shock, the fact that so many people live in utter poverty and scrape a living on under a pound a day. The clash of society with huge air conditioned shopping plaza's right next to slum areas made you feel like you were actually on a film set or something. It was hard to get your head around but then the inhabitants would still greet you with big smiles and hellos. The kids were fascinated with us and the parents always encouraged the kids to come shake our hands, as if it would make the children better people. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. At the same time it was all that they had ever experienced. Many of the homeless people did have the opportunity to go to places where they could have a place to sleep or a place where they could get a free meal, but they chose not to go there. Why, I don't know.
It was a definite eye opener to home in how wonderfully lucky we are to live in such a developed country where poverty is very rare. India is slowly becoming quite developed though. With the large shopping plaza's, huge modern industrial estates of offices and western influences, alot of India makes you feel that you could be in London or the USA but is not just developing the country, it is also making the gap between the rich and poor wider. We were lucky to meet Niana who proved that the wealthy and poor could work together in harmony with respect but apparently the set up was rare in society.
All in all, the trip was a big eye opener, and if we forget that it was meant to be an University trip, then it was truely amazing! I just can't wait to go back and explore India in more depth.
India was incredible. Since I last wrote we have been seeing all the important sights of the city like San Thome Basilica, St George's Fort and numerous temples. We have also been to one of the lecturers home to meet his family and experience a traditional Indian home. It was a wonderful experience, so generous and kind people and we even experienced the crazy trains and buses plus a ride on the back of the lecturers motorbike. We had to do it two trips so it was a welcome break of being on my own for a little while.
We then worked at Spastn, which is the (excuse the politically incorrect wording) Spastics society of Chennai. We got involved with the Early Intervention work where 0-3 year olds where helped with different skills. The parents were actively involved so that the learning could be continued at home as well. We also went into the vocational workshops where the children and young adults learnt skills such as cooking, tailoring and handicrafts which could be sold to help fund their education. We found that alot of the active work done by charities and NGO's was very much based on self help schemes which was good as it didn't rely on people needing to come in and help. It was bad on our end though as we couldn't help out as much as we wanted. It was encouraging though.
On the Friday we decided to go visit a town called Pondicherry which has alot of French links. We travelled over at 7am and it cost us equivalent of £1.20 to travel around 160 km. The return bus cost us only 55p. Everything was so cheap. In total I worked out that I spent under £85 for the whole 2 weeks. It was incredible.
Though the actual trip was meant to be based around working with the University, it was poorly organised and alot of waiting around was common place but when we were left to get on with things our self and also when working with our NGO link Niana, we got alot of things done and we definitely made the most of the trip. It was certainly a culture shock, the fact that so many people live in utter poverty and scrape a living on under a pound a day. The clash of society with huge air conditioned shopping plaza's right next to slum areas made you feel like you were actually on a film set or something. It was hard to get your head around but then the inhabitants would still greet you with big smiles and hellos. The kids were fascinated with us and the parents always encouraged the kids to come shake our hands, as if it would make the children better people. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. At the same time it was all that they had ever experienced. Many of the homeless people did have the opportunity to go to places where they could have a place to sleep or a place where they could get a free meal, but they chose not to go there. Why, I don't know.
It was a definite eye opener to home in how wonderfully lucky we are to live in such a developed country where poverty is very rare. India is slowly becoming quite developed though. With the large shopping plaza's, huge modern industrial estates of offices and western influences, alot of India makes you feel that you could be in London or the USA but is not just developing the country, it is also making the gap between the rich and poor wider. We were lucky to meet Niana who proved that the wealthy and poor could work together in harmony with respect but apparently the set up was rare in society.
All in all, the trip was a big eye opener, and if we forget that it was meant to be an University trip, then it was truely amazing! I just can't wait to go back and explore India in more depth.
Friday, 10 April 2009
India - NGO
Last night we went with our NGO lady Nino to a film showing relating to water as a resource. It wasn't what we expected but it was actually really interesting for us Geographers. It was a perfect example of a case study in water management and to make it even more interesting was that this morning we went to the actual village where the self help groups worked the new initiative. It was really interesting stuff and we learnt some amazing things as well as having a great insight into the workings of a self sufficient village. English people really need to come out and experience the things we did and will be so much more knowledgable on many key issues relating to employment and supposed labour problems.
We have spent the whole day with Nina today and we are currently at her house with her daughter after experiencing some amazing Punjabi food, a wonderful home cooked breakfast this morning and then we will be going out with her tomorrow to the opening of a new initiative of Roof Top Gardens and re using waste water. Now going to go to a soap shop to pick up some of the soap that is made by the community we visited this morning and then go see San Tome church along the coast. We may head over to the Fort later as well.
We are due to visit Pulikat lake in the afternoon but then hopefully do a little more sightseeing in the afternoon. Over all the trip has improved dramatically and I really dont want to be heading home next week. I feel there is so much more to see and absolutely love the culture after becoming such much more knowledgable on everything from the language, traditions, history and way of life!
We have spent the whole day with Nina today and we are currently at her house with her daughter after experiencing some amazing Punjabi food, a wonderful home cooked breakfast this morning and then we will be going out with her tomorrow to the opening of a new initiative of Roof Top Gardens and re using waste water. Now going to go to a soap shop to pick up some of the soap that is made by the community we visited this morning and then go see San Tome church along the coast. We may head over to the Fort later as well.
We are due to visit Pulikat lake in the afternoon but then hopefully do a little more sightseeing in the afternoon. Over all the trip has improved dramatically and I really dont want to be heading home next week. I feel there is so much more to see and absolutely love the culture after becoming such much more knowledgable on everything from the language, traditions, history and way of life!
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Fabric Glory
Had an amazing day today. We went to the largest fabric shop you can imagine where you choose the fabric you want, the design of the clothing you want and then they make it for you for like less than 5 pounds. Unfortunately we didn't have any time to get anything made yet but we will be heading back soon. We went to an NGO today where elder ladies who have been made homeless can go and live safely . It was hard seeing it but they were all so friendly. The lady who had taken us there was Nina and she was so helpful with showing us places to go and places that we should go and see. Her daughter then acted as our chaffeur who lunch and she may be taking us out at the weekend. Hopefully going to see a film premiere type of occasion tomorrow which should be interesting. But for now we have had our itinerary confirmed and tweaked. Another University day tomorrow where we are going to finally sit in on a lesson then get introduced to our main NGO work.
Monday, 6 April 2009
India
Well I'm back at the Uni today as we were meant to be working in the Department of Geography but it turned out that it is a Holy Day today in Tamil Nadu so the lecturers said they would take us on a walk along the beach. Not really sure it's going to happen so we're going to go off and do some site seeing. The auto-rickshaw's are an amazing way of getting around Chennai, death-defying but also lots of fun.
We went out for a night meal at the Taj Commermara hotel where Hamish, our Staffs Lecturer is staying which was a shambles. There is alot of confusion between everyone as there are around 4 tutors at Madras Uni that are contradicting each other. Fun and games all the way though. It was a nice meal though and it was nice sitting in a beautiful air conditioned room :-)
We met a lady called Heena yesterday at the Uni who is going to meet us at our hostel tonight at 4pm and is going to do a tour for us. She is from up in the North of India in the mountains and has really good English making a great contact for our time in India. We also made friends with a French girl called Clementine who has given us her number if we have any problems.
Our hostel is really nice. I can actually say we are cold at night with the air conditioning which is great after we sweat constantly during the day. The city of Chennai itself is very un-touristy meaning people were looking at us all the time with surprise. Kids will come up to us and say hello and wave with huge grins. It was brilliant but as soon as it gets to the evenings all the homeless settle down on the streets getting ready to sleep and you can really see the hierarchy of the castes. You can help but feel sorry for them but there are so many that you really cant do anything for them. It really makes you appreciate the standard of life we have back in the UK.
The plans for the coming week aren’t set in stone yet but we have a guide book now (in French, but my translating has been going well) so we have some interesting local sites to look forward to.
Heading back to the beautiful air conditioned computer lab now for a chat with a Geography lecturer. Should be rather interesting! That’s all for now.
We went out for a night meal at the Taj Commermara hotel where Hamish, our Staffs Lecturer is staying which was a shambles. There is alot of confusion between everyone as there are around 4 tutors at Madras Uni that are contradicting each other. Fun and games all the way though. It was a nice meal though and it was nice sitting in a beautiful air conditioned room :-)
We met a lady called Heena yesterday at the Uni who is going to meet us at our hostel tonight at 4pm and is going to do a tour for us. She is from up in the North of India in the mountains and has really good English making a great contact for our time in India. We also made friends with a French girl called Clementine who has given us her number if we have any problems.
Our hostel is really nice. I can actually say we are cold at night with the air conditioning which is great after we sweat constantly during the day. The city of Chennai itself is very un-touristy meaning people were looking at us all the time with surprise. Kids will come up to us and say hello and wave with huge grins. It was brilliant but as soon as it gets to the evenings all the homeless settle down on the streets getting ready to sleep and you can really see the hierarchy of the castes. You can help but feel sorry for them but there are so many that you really cant do anything for them. It really makes you appreciate the standard of life we have back in the UK.
The plans for the coming week aren’t set in stone yet but we have a guide book now (in French, but my translating has been going well) so we have some interesting local sites to look forward to.
Heading back to the beautiful air conditioned computer lab now for a chat with a Geography lecturer. Should be rather interesting! That’s all for now.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
India
Just a quick note to say that I have arrived in India well. It has been a rollercoaster of an experience so far from staying in the most interesting of accommodation and finding it difficult to acclimatise the incredible heat. We are now staying in the Paradise hotel in Chepauk area of Chennai which is lovely. We have a great breakfast in the mornings and air conditioning plus a refreshing shower.
I am currently at the University of Madras in the Geography department where we are waiting for our culture seminar. It's currently 40 degrees C in the shade and is really really hot. We are heading over to the British Embassy either today or tomorrow for a little get together which should be interesting. We have found a lovely restaurant just round the corner from our hostel which speaks English and has a menu unlike many places. Getting to know the manager very well.
All for now but will hopefully grab a computer again soon. Back to the heat now
I am currently at the University of Madras in the Geography department where we are waiting for our culture seminar. It's currently 40 degrees C in the shade and is really really hot. We are heading over to the British Embassy either today or tomorrow for a little get together which should be interesting. We have found a lovely restaurant just round the corner from our hostel which speaks English and has a menu unlike many places. Getting to know the manager very well.
All for now but will hopefully grab a computer again soon. Back to the heat now
Friday, 3 April 2009
India - Chennai
It seems like only yesterday I was applying for Staffordshire University's International Programme with a huge application form the length of your arm. The trip involved going to the University of Madras to learn about the Indian way of life, culture and education system. We were given the option of staying in the University accommodation or have a home stay. We had the weekends to explore the city and then we were to get involved with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) basically a charity to give something back to the community. This was back in November and since then we have had fortnightly meetings to organise the details of the trip.
The actual timetable of events are as follows though I'm sure things will change:
Saturday - Travel Manchester - Frankfurt - Chennai. Leave 07.05am. Arrive 23.45pm
Sunday - Day free to recover, investigate the area
Monday - At the University of Madras, trip to the British Embassy in the afternoon as they are interested in British students coming over to the country
Tuesday - At the Uni again. In the evening we will be getting together a hotel for dinner with the trip organiser, a lecturer from Staffs, where there will be music and dancing.
Wednesday - Friday- Working with the charity C-Dot http://www.glinet.org/inspiredetail.asp?id=3295&CatID=1512
Saturday - A trip to Pulikat Lake
Sunday - A trip to Mahabalipuram
Monday - Tuesday - Back to uni
Wednesday - Friday - Back working with C-Dot
Saturday - Free day
Sunday - Travel back to UK. Leave 01.45am. Arrive 12.25pm
Should be an amazing experience of a new country, culture, colours, smells, foods, people....
I think I should really be having a nap at the moment as we are leaving Stoke at 3am tomorrow morning. The packing is pretty much done with some space to bring back lots of fabrics :-) Just need to pop over to Sainsburys for some last minute bits and pieces.
The actual timetable of events are as follows though I'm sure things will change:
Saturday - Travel Manchester - Frankfurt - Chennai. Leave 07.05am. Arrive 23.45pm
Sunday - Day free to recover, investigate the area
Monday - At the University of Madras, trip to the British Embassy in the afternoon as they are interested in British students coming over to the country
Tuesday - At the Uni again. In the evening we will be getting together a hotel for dinner with the trip organiser, a lecturer from Staffs, where there will be music and dancing.
Wednesday - Friday- Working with the charity C-Dot http://www.glinet.org/inspiredetail.asp?id=3295&CatID=1512
Saturday - A trip to Pulikat Lake
Sunday - A trip to Mahabalipuram
Monday - Tuesday - Back to uni
Wednesday - Friday - Back working with C-Dot
Saturday - Free day
Sunday - Travel back to UK. Leave 01.45am. Arrive 12.25pm
Should be an amazing experience of a new country, culture, colours, smells, foods, people....
I think I should really be having a nap at the moment as we are leaving Stoke at 3am tomorrow morning. The packing is pretty much done with some space to bring back lots of fabrics :-) Just need to pop over to Sainsburys for some last minute bits and pieces.
Summary of Dates
Here's a run down of some key dates at the moment:
April
4th - 19th April – Chennai, India at the University of Madras
21st - 24th April - Scotland field trip
May
2nd - 3rd May – Buxton for a First Aid Training Course
16th May - Deadlines and then the end of University!!
23rd weekend for climbing in Yorkshire ??
29th May – Expedition Preparation Conference for Bolivia in High Wycombe
June
1st June – Friday 5th June - Work
22nd June – Friday 26th June - Work
29th June – Friday 3rd July - Work
22nd June – Results for University
July
6th July – Graduation at 1.30 at Trentham Gardens
7th July – Move out of Stoke
8th July - 8th August - Leave for expedition to Bolivia
August
8th August – Return from expedition to Bolivia
April
4th - 19th April – Chennai, India at the University of Madras
21st - 24th April - Scotland field trip
May
2nd - 3rd May – Buxton for a First Aid Training Course
16th May - Deadlines and then the end of University!!
23rd weekend for climbing in Yorkshire ??
29th May – Expedition Preparation Conference for Bolivia in High Wycombe
June
1st June – Friday 5th June - Work
22nd June – Friday 26th June - Work
29th June – Friday 3rd July - Work
22nd June – Results for University
July
6th July – Graduation at 1.30 at Trentham Gardens
7th July – Move out of Stoke
8th July - 8th August - Leave for expedition to Bolivia
August
8th August – Return from expedition to Bolivia
Bolivia
The India dream had been smashed, I was gutted beyond words and I spent the evening in Barcelona really upset though I had the parents, my brother and the cat giving words of encouragement.
It wasn't all bad though as in replacement I was offered a 32 day expedition to Bolivia. I wasn't exactely the most excited about it as I was so geared up and mentally prepared for the Himalayas trip, especially after telling everyone. But on returning to England and reading through the itinerary, it actually sounded better than the Himalayas trip!
The Himalayan trip was only around 23 days long, had one aim, to get up Kang Yatse and involved a 14 day trek to get there. I would have gone to see the Taj Mahal within the Golden Triangle but it was now replaced with 32 days of trekking in the Amazon basin, seeing the salt plans, Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol, working in a school/orphanage for 5 days, seeing huge amounts of wildlife and plants, being on the edge of the Andes mountain range, Inca relics.......
I was routing through my bookshelf and happened to find a Lonely Planet guidebook for the Central Andes, what a concidence. I didn't even know that I had it but it is one of the key guidebooks for the expedition.
There are 15 challengers, a school leader, expedition leader and myself heading out on the 9th July, 2 days before I was originally meant to be heading out to the Himalayas so I now have the crazy antics of graduation on 6th July, move out of Stoke on the 7th July, build-up day on the 8th July and then fly on the 9th July.
Busy bee is definitely the word!
It wasn't all bad though as in replacement I was offered a 32 day expedition to Bolivia. I wasn't exactely the most excited about it as I was so geared up and mentally prepared for the Himalayas trip, especially after telling everyone. But on returning to England and reading through the itinerary, it actually sounded better than the Himalayas trip!
The Himalayan trip was only around 23 days long, had one aim, to get up Kang Yatse and involved a 14 day trek to get there. I would have gone to see the Taj Mahal within the Golden Triangle but it was now replaced with 32 days of trekking in the Amazon basin, seeing the salt plans, Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol, working in a school/orphanage for 5 days, seeing huge amounts of wildlife and plants, being on the edge of the Andes mountain range, Inca relics.......
I was routing through my bookshelf and happened to find a Lonely Planet guidebook for the Central Andes, what a concidence. I didn't even know that I had it but it is one of the key guidebooks for the expedition.
There are 15 challengers, a school leader, expedition leader and myself heading out on the 9th July, 2 days before I was originally meant to be heading out to the Himalayas so I now have the crazy antics of graduation on 6th July, move out of Stoke on the 7th July, build-up day on the 8th July and then fly on the 9th July.
Busy bee is definitely the word!
World Challenge
Back in January this year I went up to Buxton for a Potential Leaders Course for the company World Challenge Expeditions. It is an organisation that gives students between 16-18 years the opportunity to travel to far flung countries around the world and organise their own expeditions.
I, myself, had the most amazing experience with WCE back in 2004 when I travelled to Costa Rica and Panama, as a 16 year old student. It was probably the key experience in my life that has given me the passion for travelling I have now and the confidence to do everything I do such as being an Outdoor Instructor around the UK.
I was always really interested in going back to WCE, hoping to be a Leader and back in November last year, when I went to the Kendal Mountain Festival, I was made aware about the opportunity to get interviewed by the company. My friend's cousin just so happened to work for WCE and we were staying at her parents house so I talked to her and she mentioned about a new Apprenticeship Scheme. It sounded really interested so I went along to the course in January.
It turned out that just turning up to the course had put me on the scheme along with 5 men. The scheme allows the 6 of us to be trained and developed into the model of expedition leader that the company wants. We are given the opportunity to be put through developmental courses at the centre based in Buxton, training and/or assessments for key qualifications that outdoor intructors need in the industry such as Mountain Leadership (ML) and Single Pitch Award (Climbing SPA), the chance to shadow the Training Expeditions, opportunities through WCE with their Adventure Quest and Prep School Partnership work and then the most exciting part, the chance to be an Assistant Expedition Leader.
I was lucky enough to be placed straight away on an expedition back in January to the Indian Himalayas as the need for female instructors is very high. I was literally speechless (a rare occasion) when my supervisors told me the news. I thought the weekend was just going to be a mini-expedition around the Buxton Moors and then I might get a phone call some time in the year but I found myself heading to India for the 2nd time in a year to help lead an expedition to climb the mountain Kang Yatse (6200 metres). It was amazing! I had always wanted to go to the Himalayas but never thought it would happen so soon.
Lots of organisation, meetings with the school, meeting my leader plus ending up on the groups training expedition occurred over the past 2 months and then the worst news possible came whilst away in Barcelona....
I, myself, had the most amazing experience with WCE back in 2004 when I travelled to Costa Rica and Panama, as a 16 year old student. It was probably the key experience in my life that has given me the passion for travelling I have now and the confidence to do everything I do such as being an Outdoor Instructor around the UK.
I was always really interested in going back to WCE, hoping to be a Leader and back in November last year, when I went to the Kendal Mountain Festival, I was made aware about the opportunity to get interviewed by the company. My friend's cousin just so happened to work for WCE and we were staying at her parents house so I talked to her and she mentioned about a new Apprenticeship Scheme. It sounded really interested so I went along to the course in January.
It turned out that just turning up to the course had put me on the scheme along with 5 men. The scheme allows the 6 of us to be trained and developed into the model of expedition leader that the company wants. We are given the opportunity to be put through developmental courses at the centre based in Buxton, training and/or assessments for key qualifications that outdoor intructors need in the industry such as Mountain Leadership (ML) and Single Pitch Award (Climbing SPA), the chance to shadow the Training Expeditions, opportunities through WCE with their Adventure Quest and Prep School Partnership work and then the most exciting part, the chance to be an Assistant Expedition Leader.
I was lucky enough to be placed straight away on an expedition back in January to the Indian Himalayas as the need for female instructors is very high. I was literally speechless (a rare occasion) when my supervisors told me the news. I thought the weekend was just going to be a mini-expedition around the Buxton Moors and then I might get a phone call some time in the year but I found myself heading to India for the 2nd time in a year to help lead an expedition to climb the mountain Kang Yatse (6200 metres). It was amazing! I had always wanted to go to the Himalayas but never thought it would happen so soon.
Lots of organisation, meetings with the school, meeting my leader plus ending up on the groups training expedition occurred over the past 2 months and then the worst news possible came whilst away in Barcelona....
Barcelona - Spain
Between 26th March and 1st April I have been in Barcelona on a University field trip. It was a core module for my Geography degree where we looked into human and physical issues found in and around the city. Here's a run down on what I got up to:
Thursday - Arrived in Barcelona at 10.30ish and was at the Agora University halls by 11.30. Unpacked and went for a wander to find some food. Weather was gorgeous and ended up having a picnic in a little park. Nap in the afternoon after having no sleep the night before. After a briefing with the lecturers we went into the city and had dinner in a little cafe/diner of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Friday - Visited Tibidabo which is the highest point of the Collserola Hills over looking Barcelona. The weather was so good I got burnt. Here was the Sagrat Cor church muddled with the oldest theme park in Spain. Such a clash! Moved onto Parc de Vallvivrera, a natural park where we visited the Vistor Centre and had lunch. Lastly we went to the Agbar Water Museum and investigated the water problems in Barcelona.
Saturday - This was the start of the group project we had designed where we looked into the use of the bike as a way of travelling around Barcelona to see the sights. The weather took a turn for the worst and rained horrifically. Saw so much of the city, the water front, Diagonal, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Milo, Las Ramblas... Was a really good day with some note taking.
Sunday - The lecturers took us on a City Walking Tour where we went around the Gothic Quater, El Raval, Las Ramblas, some beautiful squares, random museums and the new water front shopping area. All very interesting and it didn't rain!
Monday - A coach tour up to Palleja to see the Llobregat River, Vilafrance de Penedes for the vineyards and lunch, the Llobregat Delta Nature Reserve and then a tour through the Zona Franca industrial estate, the Port, lower Barcelona and past Montjuic.
Tuesday - The 2nd day of our group project where the weather was reasonable for the morning. We went to Montjuic which is the hill near to the coast where a castle/fort sits overlooking Barcelona. The views were amazing, though it was a bit hazy and we also saw the Olympic stadiums. Some lunch and then to the Bicing office to be told that we couldn't use the local bike scheme so went back to Mirador de Colum to hire some bikes and then the weather turned awful again. In the evening we had an eventful trip to a bar called Raim in the Gracia district with the whole group plus lecturers moving on to have dinner in a Lebanese restaurant at 11pm. What a funny evening.
Wednesday - Follow up session getting a presentation sorted and then heading down into town for a wander, some shopping, a trip to the market on Las Ramblas again and then eventually having dinner about 4pm where I finally had my Paella :-) Back to the halls for 7pm then head to El Prat airport for our 10.25pm flight back to Liverpool.
All in all, I learnt alot about Barcelona and could probably pass myself off as a tour guide now, for some poor tourists. It was quite stressful at times like when we had to give a 5-10 minute talk on a subject we were given before we fly out. Talking out aloud isn't the easiest for me when I know I'm being assessed but it went ok. Funniest thing was some awards were given out by the lecturers at the end of the trip and I won the 'Female with the Most Potential'. Not quite sure how to interpretate that, but it sounds good to me.
Thanks to Janet, Louise and Janet for organising the field trip!
Thursday - Arrived in Barcelona at 10.30ish and was at the Agora University halls by 11.30. Unpacked and went for a wander to find some food. Weather was gorgeous and ended up having a picnic in a little park. Nap in the afternoon after having no sleep the night before. After a briefing with the lecturers we went into the city and had dinner in a little cafe/diner of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Friday - Visited Tibidabo which is the highest point of the Collserola Hills over looking Barcelona. The weather was so good I got burnt. Here was the Sagrat Cor church muddled with the oldest theme park in Spain. Such a clash! Moved onto Parc de Vallvivrera, a natural park where we visited the Vistor Centre and had lunch. Lastly we went to the Agbar Water Museum and investigated the water problems in Barcelona.
Saturday - This was the start of the group project we had designed where we looked into the use of the bike as a way of travelling around Barcelona to see the sights. The weather took a turn for the worst and rained horrifically. Saw so much of the city, the water front, Diagonal, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Milo, Las Ramblas... Was a really good day with some note taking.
Sunday - The lecturers took us on a City Walking Tour where we went around the Gothic Quater, El Raval, Las Ramblas, some beautiful squares, random museums and the new water front shopping area. All very interesting and it didn't rain!
Monday - A coach tour up to Palleja to see the Llobregat River, Vilafrance de Penedes for the vineyards and lunch, the Llobregat Delta Nature Reserve and then a tour through the Zona Franca industrial estate, the Port, lower Barcelona and past Montjuic.
Tuesday - The 2nd day of our group project where the weather was reasonable for the morning. We went to Montjuic which is the hill near to the coast where a castle/fort sits overlooking Barcelona. The views were amazing, though it was a bit hazy and we also saw the Olympic stadiums. Some lunch and then to the Bicing office to be told that we couldn't use the local bike scheme so went back to Mirador de Colum to hire some bikes and then the weather turned awful again. In the evening we had an eventful trip to a bar called Raim in the Gracia district with the whole group plus lecturers moving on to have dinner in a Lebanese restaurant at 11pm. What a funny evening.
Wednesday - Follow up session getting a presentation sorted and then heading down into town for a wander, some shopping, a trip to the market on Las Ramblas again and then eventually having dinner about 4pm where I finally had my Paella :-) Back to the halls for 7pm then head to El Prat airport for our 10.25pm flight back to Liverpool.
All in all, I learnt alot about Barcelona and could probably pass myself off as a tour guide now, for some poor tourists. It was quite stressful at times like when we had to give a 5-10 minute talk on a subject we were given before we fly out. Talking out aloud isn't the easiest for me when I know I'm being assessed but it went ok. Funniest thing was some awards were given out by the lecturers at the end of the trip and I won the 'Female with the Most Potential'. Not quite sure how to interpretate that, but it sounds good to me.
Thanks to Janet, Louise and Janet for organising the field trip!
Starting Communication
So I'm constantly being asked, 'Where the hell are you?'. It was like a repeat of those video's where that guy Matt was travelling around the world dancing to that awesome music. Unfortunately I don't have a funny little dance. Instead it's normally a rather long diary which every member of the family works their way through.
So here's the next best thing I can think of to keep people up to date on my travels, coming travels and changes to itineraries. A blog! The Constant Traveller I think is very apt and hopefully it will be a way to keep everyone up to date and aware of where I am :-)
So here's the next best thing I can think of to keep people up to date on my travels, coming travels and changes to itineraries. A blog! The Constant Traveller I think is very apt and hopefully it will be a way to keep everyone up to date and aware of where I am :-)
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