Final Blog for 08J

Well everything and I mean everything has been counted and stored, the kit is away, the toilets are scrubbed and the tents are shut tight. Tonight is our last day here at Fieldbase as a staff team before we head to the Carribbean Coast for some well deserved R & R. But as per usual before I sign off for one last time, there are some things I would like to say:

To the venturers - from the very first day I knew we were on to something special, you came together beautifully as a group and as individuals you all pushed yourselves way beyond your limits. It was a massive priveledge for us to be part of your Raleigh adventure. We look forward to hearing the great things that you will undoubtedly get up to over the course of your life. Please remember to keep making a positive difference to this world and thank you for making a positive difference to our lives.

To the Volunteer Managers and Fieldbase Team - Thank you for your amazing work, for the time and energy you have pumped in to making this such a great expedition. I hope this wonderful feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction lives on for a long time to come.

To the supporters from afar - thank you for all your wonderful support. It has meant so much to us all here, and we have all got a kick out of reading the heart felt messages. I hope you are proud of your venturer and that you continue to support them in their future adventures, and I hope that perhaps their efforts inspire you to "Get out there" and experience this wonderful world.

So from Costa Rica (where it is still raining) have the most amazing Christmas and New Year, stay safe and happy and don't forget to wake up each day, stand at the end of your bed and yell the following - I'm alive, I'm awake and I feel great!!!!!!!!!!

Raleigh Reflections - (I'm not entirely sure of the source, but I can't claim any credit here)

My Raleigh Experience

Everyone in this room has had an impact on the experience I have had over the past 3 months so I have a few things to say about what this experience has meant to me.

I have laughed until my tummy hurts and cried a few tears too.

I have leapt around excited like a five year old and been as grumpy as an old man.

I have met people who will be in my life forever and people I am glad to have known if only for a short time.

I have stared up at the sky and felt there was nowhere in the world I’d rather be.

I have stared up at the sky and wished to god I was somewhere else!!!

I have seen proof time and time again of the enormous impact one human being can have on another.

I have witnessed honesty and bravery that has taken my breath away.

I have learnt some painful lessons that will help me to achieve more in the future.

I have watched friendships form and grow and been constantly impressed by the care and support that exists between the people in this room.

I have seen grit and determination etched on to many different faces.

I have been bowled over by the time, energy and effort that has been put into making someone smile.

I have seen people push through emotional and physical barriers to achieve things they would never have thought possible.

I have seen futures open up and endless possibilities shine through where before there was uncertainty.

I have made a difference to people and people have made a difference to me.

I have been part of something far huger than me, working with 48 other people from very different lives to achieve something that I believe to be amazing.

Every second has had an impact on me.

I have loved this time.

Final Washup

I guess while you are counting down the hours until you see everyone, we here are desperately trying to make the most of our final days together. On Sunday night we had the best skits of expedition, everyone really put in masses of effort, but it was Alpha 2 who claimed the prize!

Last night we have the Golden Mess Tin Awards, which were a huge success, followed by a Scottish Celeidh which had us all dancing... and sweating!

So today on our final day, we start with the olympics before we head into a reflection session and finish up with our black tie dinner and our slide show - if I can get this computer to work!!!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful messages and support. I can't tell you how much it means to all of us.

And so the end is in sight

As I sit here listening to the rain outside (yes here at Fieldbase the rain has continued for over 3 weeks!) I thought I would take advantage of what is surely one of my last quiet moments before the craziness begins again tomorrow to give you a final update on the achievements of our Alpha groups.

Last night we celebrated with Alpha 2 the Macho trekkers who have reached the beautiful Punta Judas where they will stay again tonight. I can only imagine what it must have been like for these guys to have reached their goal. Despite the adverse weather conditions, additional weight, an awful lot of up (they have now climbed the equivalent of Everest!) Alpha 2 members have remained positive and upbeat throughout. Led by Stu, who yesterday completed his half century of 51 walking days, and the amazing Stevo who's positiveness has inspired us all, this group has exceeded all expectations. Congratulations guys!

Alpha 1 is today packing up their island paradise in preperation for their 6am departure tomorrow. I am sure there will be some tears as they say goodbye to what surely has been a once in a lifetime experience. The question is will overcome all their fears to sleep in the prison tonight, or will they go alfresco and sleep on the pier in order to experience one last sunrise over the ocean.

Alpha 3 have returned from their mini break to the beautiful Playa Hermosa beach, for one last crack at their wheel chair path. They too will be packing up their jungle camp and beginning to wash some of that mud away. Although they've had their share of tough times in the jungle, this is one tight knit group who have shared something pretty special together.

And here at Fieldbase, we are putting the finishing touches to the final slide show (I started crying about 3 days ago), the Christmas tree is up, the Golden Mess Tin awards are ready and the terrace is preped. We will begin with skits on Sunday night, wash up and free time on Monday (that's when you'll get your phone calls) followed by the Golden Mess Tin awards and a Scottish Fling on Monday night. On Tuesday we will host our inaugral Raleigh Olympics, before groups return to their phase 1 teams in order to reflect on their whole experience before we celebrate with a "Black Tie" dinner on Tuesday night.

And so as this part of the journey comes to an end, I thought I would share one of the many inspirational/reflective readings that we use here with you guys.

The Station

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spands the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the window we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village hails.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restless we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering - waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

"When we reach the station that will be it!" we cry. "When I'm 18" "When I buy a new 450SI Mercedes Benz!" "When we put the last kid through college" "When I have paid off the mortgage" "When I get promoted" "When I reach the age of retirement, I shall live happily ever after!"

Sooner or later we must realise that there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more icecream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

By Robert J Hastings

While this is will not be our last post, I do want to thank you all for the support you have shown to everyone here. I can't tell you how much it means to us. It has been a truly lovely experience reading and passing on all your messages and in many ways I feel like I know you just a little.

Remember everyone is back tomorrow and will be in Turrialba checking out the blog on Monday, and I know that they would all appreciate just one more message from home.

Hasta luego

Anna