The following is a pre-recorded account of my aspirations, dreams and expectations for the Elephant Expedition I am currently undertaking. Stay in touch for news of what really happens while I’m away!

The dreamy journal

Yet another part of our mission to Bardia is to photograph and record as many reptiles, birds moths and butterflys as we can. So, I might have spent this evening helping Dr Susanna Curtin set up a system to attract moths and other such flying creatures. At the briefing day we had discussed the idea of setting up a sheet with some kind of lamp behind it. Like ‘moths to a flame’ we would expect insects to land on the sheet, where we might take photographs of them for our records.

I’m also really looking forward to uploading some of those images onto the Project Noah website! Who knows, perhaps Susanna and her insect study team might spot something never before recorded?

The reality check

Of course, I suspect insects might also be part of the difficulties I might have to face while in Nepal. I have an awful tendency to react rather badly to insect bites and might at this point be smothered in unsightly wields, welts, bumps and itchy bruises where I have been bitten by pesky bugs.

Luckily I will have treated all my clothes and possessions with insect repellant, as well as smothered my skin in the stuff on a daily basis. So this dark outlook is as unlikely as I could make it. Although, I haven’t taken any malaria tablets. Only 11 people have ever been known to catch malaria in this part of the world, at this time of year. Here’s hoping I’m not number 12. Wouldn’t that just be rich!