| Field Report No 9 - 31st August 2009
On 24th August, the Horse team with their faithful carretón returned to Coquinal. Their final visit to the desperately poor village of Maravilla was especially appreciated. Kevin Shewry was a valuable interpreter and his Spanish vocabulary has greatly increased. Their communication on the NSSL Satphone was maintained by Kathy Hutchinson. The incredible wooden wheels of the carretón bullock cart has proved robust and reliable throughout. “Exploring this Bolivian wilderness on these tough little horses has been an unforgettable experience,” says Sarah Royal.
Coquinal’s people gathered on the shores of Lake Rojo Aguado at noon on the 25th August and the school children, the pipe and drum quartet, elders, and Corregidor Daza joined the expedition members to witness the naming of the Ambulance boat sponsored by Elodie Sandford and her family. The village priest scattered Holy water on the boat and blessed her before the expedition sang “Eternal father strong to save”. JBS read out Sir Frances Drake’s prayer then Elodie named the six metre boat pouring Bolivian wine over the bow before dancing with the elders. As the band played, Elodie and the Corregidor boarded the boat with the Bolivian Flag and the Red Ensign flying proudly and were taken on a trip round the bay. Lunch was served on the new patio of Mirta’s shop and the Corregidor thanked Elodie and indeed all the expedition for the help given to the village and the surrounding hamlets.
As we left Coquinal on the 27th August, two of the three Just-a-Drop wells were providing clean water and we had reached 58.5m with well number three. The aim was to drill to 70m but a band of hard rock had slowed progress, and villagers, school children and expedition members heaved on the hand operated drilling ropes as the temperature soared to 95°F with 85% humidity. Yolima Cipagauta keep the workers supplied with pancakes and maple syrup plus bowls of popcorn! Although we have left, the task continues and the contractor is confident that the three wells in Coquinal and the one in Nueva Esparanza will be completed by 7th September.
Before departure we gave gifts and quantities of spare rations to the poorer people of Coquinal. Alas by the time we reached San Carlos severe stomach upsets were being experienced by many of the team. Whilst our dentists and doctors gave aid to the local people for a variety of problems, nine of our team were suffering from the dreaded “D and V”. Indeed it was a night of doubt and sorrow as in spite of our careful attention to hygiene, the bug spread.
On our move south we saw a various wildlife including large flightless Rhea birds, iguana, monkeys and a wide selection of birds. John Mckenzie-Grieve, our birdman, was in paradise! Whilst at Coquinal we found that the “little golden bear” described by local people is in fact a small silky anteater.
 | There had been differing reports on the state of the Iruyanez River, but we found a ford where it was only two feet deep and crossed without difficulty. The previous week it had been waist deep which would have been a serious problem, especially as the pontoon ferry promised by the local Mayor never appeared. One car developed drive problems on leaving the river and Alex Jess used his dental skills to extract it from the mud...
Sweeping into Santa Ana we re-occupied our original rear base at the Hotel Mamore, a real oasis of comfort after a month in the field. Here Doctor Jackie and Lorika had a busy time removing “jiggers” insects which had burrowed into members feet during the expedition. A Burns night supper was held on 29th August with some excellent supplies of Stahlys Haggis and a dram or two followed by reeling, much to the amusement of our Bolivian guests.
Tanned and thinner we continued our drive to Trinidad, capital of Beni on 30th August passing vast waterlands alive with birds and dotted with one metre Victoriana Lilies.
Our sick are recovering although the journey in temperatures of 95°F was no fun for them.
Now we are on a bus to Santa Cruz to disperse, and visit the Simon Patino Foundation which has been so helpful to the project.
Due to the disappointing lack of promised support by Sergeotecmin, Geologist, Dan Vockins, has had to carry out the search for evidence of a meteorite impact single handedly. He has found mainly horizontal strata of sedimentary deposits and the presence of iron, but without a gravimeter deeper investigation was not possible. In spite of the many logistical problems the other tasks, especially the community aid projects, have been especially successful and greatly appreciated by the people of this remote and little known area.
This is the last sitrep but watch the website for details of lectures and future expeditions.
ENDS. |
John Blashford-Snell 
1st Sep 2009 
