About Me « Heather’s Borneo Diaries

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

22 Responses to “About Me”

on January 15, 2008 at 10:11 pm1 MARTYN

HI HEATHER GLAD TO SEE THINGS ARE GOING WELL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ,BACK IN SUDBURY INTRESTING WEB SITE
LOVE BRUV
on January 16, 2008 at 8:34 am2 jemma

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
on January 16, 2008 at 1:06 pm3 Julie

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
on January 17, 2008 at 6:03 pm4 ian lane

We want you back… & I need my second wife. Love & Stuff Ian & Charlotte
on January 18, 2008 at 10:50 am5 Rosie

This is fab Heather!

I know you’redoing a wonderful job, but I do request your presence in the UK soon!! Miss you
on January 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm6 hanna

Hiya

Great webside, I’m so jealous, but you know that already.
Take care!

Love
Hanna xx
on February 1, 2008 at 9:37 pm7 Nick and Ellie

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
on February 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm8 Marcia

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
on February 4, 2008 at 12:06 am9 belinda

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
on February 7, 2008 at 4:44 pm10 Yvonne

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
on February 13, 2008 at 12:34 pm11 Sarah

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
on February 13, 2008 at 9:22 pm12 Rosie

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
on March 1, 2008 at 9:26 am13 Tina (internet cafet!)

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!
on March 19, 2008 at 9:14 am14 Julie

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
on March 27, 2008 at 10:40 pm15 Nia

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
on April 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm16 jenny (gym)

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
on April 15, 2008 at 9:49 pm17 Heather Roberts

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
on April 28, 2008 at 5:54 am18 Patty

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
on April 29, 2008 at 8:51 pm19 Paul Orchard

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
on June 10, 2008 at 4:13 pm20 john & julia chappell

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
on June 27, 2008 at 1:36 am21 Sharon Miller

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
on June 29, 2008 at 8:46 pm22 alby

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