Today I've been throughly Skyped - several long interviews over that noble portal is actually quite tiring I've discovered. I've got a good view from my desk though (today's picture)And despite the fact it is only 8.30pm here, it's been pitch black for a good few hours and I'm already feeling sleepy. That might have something to do with the prospect of getting up at 6am to go on a guided hike with the local county officials. No doubt I won't have a clue what they're saying, but I'm hoping for lots of good photos. Bom fin de semana, people!

Sherrington of the Arctic-lantic

To all of you who said I was just coming to Brazil to sit in a hammock and get a tan - there has been no hammock sitting (ok, but just the once) and it is FREEZING and overcast. It's so cold this evening, that I'm wearing 4 layers and my hands are still like ice. However, on my 4o min trek over muddy hills yesterday (the only way to conduct my interviews with Iracambi's founders) I came to the brow of a particularly steep climb and was rewarded with the most phenomenal view, as light flooded the valley. The picture doesn't quite do it justice. On the other hand, there was also a frog in the lavatory bowl this morning, so from the sublime to the ridiculous...

Daie Threy in the Case Verde...

Thanks to DW for pointing out my little house is more white than green - astute as ever, but all the houses are the same colour, it's the shutters that are different..see?! So, I've spent a day reading as much information as humanly possible, making appalling Portuguese/Spanglish with people and being eaten alive by insects. I look like I've taken a red felt-tip pen and dotted myself with splodges all over. It's a strong look. I've also been shown a picture of what looks like a tarantula being eaten by a massive, electric blue wasp the size of a baby's fist. It was spotted in our dining area. Health and safety, anyone? I'm sparing you that though, and instead, today's Iracambi moment of zen picture is the view from the Centro, where I spent the day tapping and reading away. (actually, computer says no to pic. will try again later)

Iracambi-Ho!

After months of thinking and preparing, an 11 hour flight, a 6hr bus, then 1.5 hr bus, then 20min Jeep ride...I'm here! Can't quite believe it, yet the croaking crickets, insect buzzes, rushing water and the damp, green, musky smell of the rainforest tell me it's true. After a lovely evening with Robin and Binka (intrepid travellers extraordinaire - their dinner conversation is fab 'ah yes, it's like that time with the King of Bhutan'), I'm now ensconced in the 'Centre' with several other volunteers from France, Canada, Brasil, Spain and the Netherlands. My Brasilian is ropy, their English is usually better, but we're getting by just fine. I'm currently on information and sensory overload so will keep this post brief, but check out my little green house...

Carbon Crim

As part of the work Iracambi does is to fight for the preservation of the rainforest, I was feeling uneasy about the fact I'm about to undertake a nigh-on 12k mile return flight to get there. Can anyone say carbon crim?! So, I went onto the governments ACT ON CO2 website and found me an approved offset company - www.clear-offset.com. Easy navigatable website, slight glitch with the payment page, but overall, job done!

Brazilian Bring and Buy

A couple of months ago (over a secret burger) my Strat boys helped me come up with a fab idea for fundraising for Iracambi. It had to be in keeping with Iracambi's stance on sustainability and the environment, be fun and, ultimately, profitable. So, last Friday, the lovely people of Mindshare brought and bought at my Brazilian Bring and Buy sale. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me raise a whopping £261.10! And thanks also to Mike and co for manning the stalls and taking a few cheeky photos. Mainly photos of the cakes, mind...