Spiders, bugs and sweaty feet

Right, this whole lark is getting a bit serious now (apart from a hard day checking out the project dive site on the right) . We've had our first taste of the jungle and training in surviving the Borneo rainforest. We both successfully trekked into the jungle, put up hammocks, bashers and mozzie nets, discovered the many positions to use with a long drop (and how to dig one), cooked our greasy dregs (yes, that really is what it's called) with powdered soup and noodles in our mess tins in a torrential down pour and had our guide show us a traditional head hunting warrior type dance which Si unfortunately declined to participate in.

After getting 'comfortable' in my hammock and settling down for the night (amongst the spiders, centipedes and giant ants) there was an almighty cracking noise as one of the guys in a neighbouring hammock mananged to bend the tree that his hammock was around. No-one particularly wanted to move and check everything was okay and it generally caused much hilarity round the group although when a more sensible hardy type checked the tree and shined a light on Si's hammock to tell him there was a tree hanging over him (and then over my hammock next door) we did half think about getting up. Although we were reassured that it wouldn't kill us if it fell. Anyway we stayed put (getting up in the dark in the jungle does not appeal) and have lived to tell the tale.

All of this is in preparation for when the participants arrive in a week's time and we have to train them for 5 days before heading off on project. I am also massively conquering any insect fears and in a practice medical evacuation physically picked a spider of the casualty with my own fair hand! We finished the weekend with some white water rafting (which was pretty tame) but a good opportunity to relax and also partake in some general racing and competitive splashing of the other rafts :-)

So today I've been told which project I'm on and who I'll be with (both good). More on that when I come back from the project planning visit. Si knows which phase he'll go out on (the second) and will be in a place called Danum Valley which had a resident orangutan on the last expedition. It's an environmental project where we're building a suspension bridge in a scientific area.

Hope all's well at home we are thinking of you all, thanks for the comment postings

- it's good to know what's going on, do stay in touch!