About Me
Hi I’m Heather and I am using this blog to share with you my experiences whilst working at a Wildlife Centre in Sarawak Borneo, recording the work I have been doing and an insight into the life of the local people.
I am 52 years old and My Husband Gareth and I have been running a Livery Yard in Hertfordshire for the last 12 years, Gareth is a very successful carriage driver having won the championship at Horse of the Year show two years in a row and numerous other big championships, I have been fortunate enough to be his backstepper/Groom on these occasions, it has been an amazing few years with unforgettable experiences and achievements.
I have also been fortunate enough to meet with several members of the royal family, one with Princess Anne at her home in Gatcombe Park and also meeting Prince Philip not only as a fellow competitor in Horse Driving Trials but also at a cocktail party in Windsor Castle, these experiences have been amazing and I feel honoured to have experienced them.
I am grandmother to two young boys Jack who is nearly seven and Joshua six years. Unfortunatly Joshua lives abroad but Jack lives just down the road so I have been a big influence in his life, he is a dear little boy and the hardest part of working away from home is leaving him. My children have now got used to me being away and are now like Gareth very supportive my hope is that they will visit and see for themselves the work I have been doing.
My life has taken a completly different angle now after visiting Malaysia in February 2007 and getting involved with Sunbears and Orangutans, I have also made good friends with a couple in Miri and Gareth has been helping them with their six horses. I have been based at Matang Wildlife Centre after going as a volunteer in February 2007 with the Great Orangutan Project.
Since then I’ve been lucky enough to go out to Malaysia several times now and have beeng involved with orangutan rehabilitation at Matang Wildlife Centre, this is the most amazing work these animals are highly intelligent and their survival is now up to us, people have taken their habitat away so now people must help save these incredible animals. I have also been involved with Sunbears and was part of the rehoming of 4 of them from quarantine into a new enclosure this was a very emotional time for all involved.
I hope you enjoy reading my blog, feel free to leave comments and ask questions.
Heather
January 15, 2008 at 10:11 pm |
HI HEATHER GLAD TO SEE THINGS ARE GOING WELL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ,BACK IN SUDBURY INTRESTING WEB SITE
LOVE BRUV
January 16, 2008 at 8:34 am |
Looks great Heather! Can really see the attraction, looks fascinating. Dont stay too long, we missed you at the shows last year, you cant escape for another year!!!!!!!!!! Take care Jem x
January 16, 2008 at 1:06 pm |
Hi Heather
Glad to see things are going so well. Great to be able to see what’s happening at the Matang centre and see the progress.
Wishing you all the best,
Love Julie at Bushwood
January 17, 2008 at 6:03 pm |
We want you back… & I need my second wife. Love & Stuff Ian & Charlotte
January 18, 2008 at 10:50 am |
This is fab Heather!
I know you’redoing a wonderful job, but I do request your presence in the UK soon!! Miss you
January 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm |
Hiya
Great webside, I’m so jealous, but you know that already.
Take care!
Love
Hanna xx
February 1, 2008 at 9:37 pm |
Hi Heather,
Love your website – it’s our turn to read your blog now!
Wish we were with the orangutans too!
Must meet up when you are back in the UK.
Best of Luck with the Sunbears and all the progress at Matang,
Nick & Ellie xx
February 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm |
Hey Heather
WOW your very own website. Wicked! Makes great reading babe. Love it. Will keep checking for new stuff!
Luck, Love and Laughter
Marcia
xx
February 4, 2008 at 12:06 am |
well you are doing it well done mate they dont realise how lucky they are such commitment from 1 person ,not to mention the great support of hubby xxx
February 7, 2008 at 4:44 pm |
Hi Heather – Gareth just came over to show me your website on my computer. Well done for everything ! He is now telling me your movements for the next few months – you will be doing some globetrotting !
Best wishes and have fun ! Hope to see your sometime soon.
Love
Yvonne , Ian & Jack xx
February 13, 2008 at 12:34 pm |
Hi
I have discovered your blod through a link on the Great OrangUtan Project website.
I am very interested in undertaking the 4 week programme, but funding is my main issue.
Do you have any ideas of fundraising, or any possible sponsors that might help my dream of working in Borneo become more of a reality?
I would be interested to hear your ideas, and have now saved your website into my favourites, so I can keep updated on your amazing work.
Many thanks
Sarah Grier
February 13, 2008 at 9:22 pm |
Heather I miss you. I’m going to have to come out there and see you very soon, I need my earplug time. Congratulations in EVERYTHING that you have achieved, you are an inspiration, and one of my favourite people, including the G man of course. Keep in touch adventurous lady x x x x x
March 1, 2008 at 9:26 am |
Hi Heather
great meeting you in coffee bean in Kuching..
will keep reading the blogs, and keep up with ur Orangutang
filled days..
great to meet you..
Tina n Steve from uk/ Brunei!
March 19, 2008 at 9:14 am |
This website is brilliant. It gives a real insight to what to expect from a volunteer programme at Matang and all the great work being achieved there.
I’m coming out to volunteer nxt March 09 and I can’t wait.
I’m not sure if you’ll still be there then Heather, I’ll look forward to meeting you if you are.
Julie xx
March 27, 2008 at 10:40 pm |
Hi Heather,
This sounds, and looks amazing! the work u (and my big brother) have done is fantastic. Hope you are still enjoying – i know you are. we’ll have to catch up when you are back. take care. lots of love.
Nia xxxx
April 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm |
Hi Heather
found you at last!!!! keep up the good work hon, miss you
at the gym but what you are doing is brilliant.
See you Jenny. xx
April 15, 2008 at 9:49 pm |
Hi Jenny I am home at the moment and have been to the gym a couple of times hopefully will see you there this week as I return with Gareth on 24th this month would be lovely to see you.
hxxx
April 28, 2008 at 5:54 am |
Hi Heather
You give me inspiration!! I’m currently contemplating volunteering on the GOP. Professionally Im a wildlife biologist but recently I realized I’d rather travel and volunteer for a year – and experience the JOURNEY of LIfE.
I would love to chat with you about your experience on the GOP and any suggestions you may have for future volunteers. You can contact me at pattyhogg@yahoo.com.
Patty
Yellowknife, Canada
April 29, 2008 at 8:51 pm |
Hi Heather
A great web site really informative,
so good to see your achivements and all the great work you’re doing, but we do miss you on the scurry circuit hope to see you soon back in the grooms seat!
Take care and have fun
Best Regards
Paul & Chris.XXX
June 10, 2008 at 4:13 pm |
hi heather what a wonderful job u are doing out in borneo gareth is again running very well with his scurry team but charlotte & i did get to beat him at the suffolk show. please could we see some action with u in the pictures best regards john & julia
June 27, 2008 at 1:36 am |
I met you on the plane going to South Africa from Kuala Lumpur in May
I’d love to hear all about how it has gone for you with the Vervet monkey project in Greytown Natal.
I am not sure if you are still in SA or if you have returned to Asia.
Kind Regards
Sharon
June 29, 2008 at 8:46 pm |
hi matie, gareth tells me you had a run in with a poisoneous spider hope your feeling better now. Apart from that minor misfortnune!!!! i hope your still enjoying your mid life crisis lol. look forward to seeing you soon, lotsaluv. x
August 13, 2008 at 12:07 pm |
Hi Heather
I came across your blog while researching on how to work with and for orangutangs. Grown up in Zambia, lived in Cape town,London and now in Sydney. Been a dream of mine since a child to work with the orangutangs, can I get some advice from you on how to go about it.
thanks so much
Leanne
August 24, 2008 at 10:14 am |
Hi Heather
This all looks fantastic, albeit hard work! I am looking into the possibility of going to Borneo via the orangutan project and I am currently looking into funding etc.
My family think I have gone a bit mad, but this means so much to me and i will get there one day – hopefully sooner rather than later.
One thing I have a slight concern about is safety – not from the animals but whist travelling alone etc – are there any risks involved? I guess the solution is to travel with a fellow team member, but thought i would ask anyway.
I wish you luck with your future endevours and I will update you should I get there!
Heather
October 21, 2008 at 11:15 am |
Hi Heather
I’m off to Matang for 4 weeks volunteering in November and can hardly wait. I was just wondering if you could provide me with some info re taking my laptop. I’m setting up a wordpress blog and wanted to know if it is easy to access the internet in Kucing and therefore upload info.
Really appreciate any advice you can give me.
Regards
Caro
October 22, 2008 at 8:47 am |
Hi Caro
When you arrive in Kuching you will spend your first night in Kuching at a great guest house called Singassanha Lodge they have available and very cheap internet access, you can go to the lodge every weekend. There is no inernet access at Matang. A laptop is uselful for recording day to day blog and then inserting when access available.
Have a great time
H xxx
December 8, 2008 at 5:54 am |
Hi Heather
I would dearly love to go on the Project – but – I’m 68 years old. Very fit, willing and love Orangutans, is that enough?? Please let me know whether you think I’m crazy, and if I can handle it.
Judy in Australia