Fantastic day – got to drive a digger. Noah is going to be proud of his Dad. Massive yellow one as well. The circumstances of this adventure were not quite so fantastic though – in fact they were desperately sad. The farmer’s cow died overnight leaving the farmer in tears. Really choked me to see him so upset – a tough Mexican farmer brought to tears by the helplessness and plight of his situation. The other cow from yesterday was on its feet and looks much brighter, although other animals in the pen still look weak and on the edge.

I post-mortemed the cow – she was completely anaemic throughout all her internal organs and her rumen was full of the worthless short chop straw that the farmer feeds them. He has nothing else and cant afford any better quality feed. The best bit about doing the post mortem was that it helped confirmed the theory that the problem these cows are facing is basically starvation and inadequate nutrition.

The way forward from this was to deliver him lots of food – in fact we ordered far more than will appear on the programme and we didn’t scrimp on it. All of us were choked with emotion for this poor man and his animals are desperate need of help. I jabbed them all with vitamins to perk them up, a couple got some hardcore steroid to help things along and then we embarked on the plan to feed them well.
 

Back at the sanctuary – couple of cases before driving back to the community that we visited three days ago. The horse leg is looking great which is a big relief.

Agatha and her family are simply heroic. There is no respite for them as they are overseeing everything and it is a huge itinerary. Poor Alberto had to sort out a puncture first thing before meeting us at the hotel, together with Raul – the crazy Mexican Indiana Jones equivalent – and driving us four hours into a stunning reserve. Raul gave me a lesson in how to handle a deadly rattlesnake (he did all the grabbing as it was extremely angry – he had o let it go at one point as he couldn’t hold it anymore) but with skilful calm, he got things back under control and I had my ‘lesson’. On the vet side I treated a cow with a damaged leg and horse that had suffered a suspected snakebite.

Fairly long day – none of the crew have had lunch any day of the shoot so far and it was about 40 degrees where we were with the rattlesnake so are all fairly beat by now. Scot matches Adam for stamina and is being ultra hardcore – as are Marc and Nathan. The next few days are at the shelter so should be a bit steadier which is brilliant because it is such an amazing place. Need to fundraise to get them some water in the op room – requires some plumbing and a few pipes but would make a world of difference.
 

On other fronts, Bruce is thinking of adopting the name Lupe for this trip after a hardcore Mexican cowboy we met. It is also a Mexican girls name which means ‘little’ but I’m not sure he knows that. I suspect there is a touch of irony in the hardcore Mexican’s cowboys name but would hate to break the news to Bruce.

There was a big cause for celebration today as it was the first day of the trip that we managed to get lunch. It was delicious and we had a nice meal with Agatha and her family at the shelter – a chance to sample a tasty Mexican chocolate sauce which I know would have been a big hit back home if I had managed to sneak it into my suitcase. I had a great day because I had a bit of time to crack on with a few of the pets at the shelter that needed some help. Marc got stuck in with me and I also caught Scot on a mission to put some blue spray on a wound he spotted. This vet stuff must be infectious!
 

 
Couple of ops, a sad put to sleep on a little dog with a crushed pelvis, a sick puppy that needed a drip and a few other bits and bobs. Had a lot of fun jumping in the well at the shelter (part of a family tradition!) – very cold and I managed to get a leach on me in no time at all, but fantastic nevertheless.

We had a nice meal to say thank you in the evening and sampled some of Mexico’s finest Tequila courtesy of the manager of the El Diezmo Hotel which was an experience to say the least. It basically strips away the lining of your oesophagus on the way down. Almost there with the trip – will be sad to say goodbye to the family and the animals but can’t wait to get back home and see Cords and Noah. The crew are holding up but it’s been a big trip to say the least!

The working days are very long and we are on the go about 13-15 hours a day. Everyone has a cracking attitude and wants to get the job done, whatever it takes. Think we got really good stuff, but you never know until you get the footage on a timeline in the edit suite. Though I must say that the tape-less workflow we are using comes very handy as we can edit little clips at the end of the day back at the hotel… if time allows.

There is a pattern emerging on these trips. Luke always cracks on treating animals after we stopped filming and whenever I can I am assisting him. Really enjoying it. My mum would love it. When she was young she used to be a medical assistant for a vet. I grew up watching “All Creatures Great and Small”. The show was a big success in Germany and yes, James Herriot, Siegfried and Tristan were all dubbed.

Mexico is one hot country. The sun has been relentless on this trip and I’m sure the crew and myself have all suffered from heatstroke at some point along the way. We’re all burnt to a cinder and the dark skin on my arms is beginning to peel away – I’m a bit afraid that it will all come off by the time I get back to the UK and I’ll be as white as a ghost.

Today is going to be another tough one. With only 24 hours left in Mexico we still have a lot to film (shots of Luke driving, introduction to the sanctuary and beautiful Mexican landscapes/hustle and bustle of the city). And that’s not to mention that a helicopter has arrived to get some aerial shots. Marc is running all over the place like a lunatic, Luke is feeling tired (although I’m sure he’ll deny this), Scott is fiddling with the camera and Julien (the Executive Producer) has arrived in the helicopter looking like a character from Miami Vice.
 

 
I haven’t written on the blog for a few days as we’ve been as busy as a bee in a greenhouse full of daisies. From the last time I wrote we’ve helped a poor farmer with starving cattle, thrown Luke in a well with leeches, drove 4 hours into the mountains to not film some bats (we did film some snakes though) and almost boil in the Mexican summer, and return the cat with the tumour to her owner.

Things took a turn for the surreal today as another cameraman and Jules (Executive Producer) flew out with a helicopter to do aerial shots. It was excellent driving along being buzzed from above. Very James Bond – except for the shorts, physique, fact I’m a vet and I was limited to going to 50km an hour in a not too special drak green hire truck. I did get a quick five minute ride in the helicopter with Lupe which was great fun and very nice of Jules and Marc to sortas we were incredibly tight on time; but I have to say the highlight of the day was a ride in Pablo’s Pontiac! What a great car! It’s definitely been a trip of new experiences this one!

Big news of note was that we recovered Scot’s bag from the mountains that we left behind (huge relief as it contained all his personal gear). I did a few more driving shots, couple of treatments at the shelter and at the end of the day there was a big formal dinner which Marc and me went to. Scot and Nathan headed back to base to compile a list of last minute shots we needed on our last day and get all the tapes sorted out.

The formal dinner was hilarious – there was some sort of misunderstanding that meant everyone thought we would be filming so a string of traditional craftsmen and women lined up to be interviewed by us! I then had to give a speech about our trip to approx 50 or so governors and officials which turned into a bit of a joke for everyone listening because although Alberto did a magnificent job in translating my ramblings 99% of the time correctly, he confused the word tourist with terrorist which got a bit of a reaction from the local tourist board when I informed them to prepare for the forthcoming influx of terrorists to the area.

There was some great traditional dancing and as normal our Mexican hosts were generous and polite so although a bit of a stretch at the end of an epic day, it was a great last full day to a brilliant trip.

Today was a tough one, but not in the way I expected. The helicopter delayed us all today and now we have to fit two days of filming into one… woopdeedoo…
 

This trip is nearly over and my last words must go to Agetha, Alberto, Pablo and Daniela (the family who are behind the sanctuary). They have been absolutely tremendous hosts: helping us as much as is humanly possible and being as friendly as Casper the ghost. It has been a wonderful trip and that is due in large part to their efforts. So I would like to say a big Mexican thank you. Mucho mucho gracias!
 

Last day and home!! Nailed 2 frantic hours taking general shots of me padding about the town, completed a few last minute interviews and then the epic 22 hour journey home!

It has been a really enjoyable trip and aside from the shelter being a truly worthy cause to support, I’ve found Agatha and her family simply incredible, warm and kind people to work with.

I think all of us will always remember this trip with immense fondness and I genuinely hope one day I get to go back there and visit them.