Features

It's a long trek from Nottingham to the small coastal town of Nagapattinam, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

After a series of flights, it's a death-defying bus ride along India's chaotic roads.

I'm travelling with a delegation from the Asian Tsunami Appeal for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

It includes various leaders from Nottingham's Asian community - and all are excited about seeing how the money they helped raise has been spent.

A day packed with meetings and inspections.

It starts with a visit to the beach, where the three deadly waves struck on the morning of December 26, 2004.

Our guide, Navin Prasad, paints a harrowing picture of the day.

He says: "There were three big waves, one after the other… the waves were up to 30-feet high at this place.

"The children were the major victims because, being a Sunday, children were on the shore playing.

"The fathers were in the deep seas fishing, not knowing what was happening on the coast… and mothers were out in the market to sell the fishes."

The girls seem delighted by their English visitors (and captivated by my camera, especially when I flip the screen around and they can see themselves "on TV").

The Nottingham delegation is so touched by the girls' plight, they reach into their own pockets and buy them new school equipment and a computer.

DAY THREE (afternoon)

The real reason for this visit - an inspection and "handover" of the 16 new houses funded with money raised in Nottingham.

Several members of the delegation, including Nottingham's Deputy Lord Mayor, Mohammed Munir, unveil plaques on the buildings.

Earlier in the day, a government official told us the real handover will take place in March, when road and sewage works are complete.

However delegate Sudheer Gupta says he's delighted to finally see the new homes, which have been constructed by Sewa International.

He says: "To actually see it in person, I feel that we have used the money raised in Nottingham properly."

DAY FOUR

A short drive up the coast to Poompuhar, a holy place where a river meets the sea.

We join locals in the sacred waters here, and admire the reconstruction.

Then, hopefully with a few extra blessings, we again take our chances on India roads for the long drive back to Chennai.

DAY FIVE

Mainly just travelling today, we make our way to the state of Gujarat, in the north-west corner of the country.

With Gujarat responsible for many of India's immigrants around the world, the international response was enormous.

A large sum raised in Derby and Nottingham was used to build an entirely new village for the people of Mithapaswaria, and that is where we are heading.

Some of the group were present when the village was handed over two years ago, and are keen to see how the residents are settling in.

DAY SIX

Another hot and dusty drive, and we reach our destination.

The visitors immediately notice that the villagers have been "renovating" their homes.

Mr Gupta says: "I feel very happy that they have moulded each house to their own requirements.

"It also makes me feel extremely proud and very humble that the sort of money that would not buy semi-detached house in Nottingham can create homes for 157 families who are now happily living in this village."

A young girl living in the village, Gobi, has been teaching herself English and takes me on a short tour of her house, proudly pointing out features. Our video of Gobi in action shows she's a real bright spark.

Girls like her prompt members of the delegation to privately speak with parents about sending the girls to a nearby town for further education.

They have taken a great interest in the children of Mithapaswaria, and it would be sad to see the likes of Gobi not fulfil their potential.

DAY SEVEN

I leave the delegation and make my way to the sunny state of Goa, on the west coast.

He has given up life as a financial adviser in England and built his own luxury resort at a beach town called Varca.

Unfortunately, I arrive to learn Mr Patel has suffered medical problems just a couple of hours before my arrival and is now in hospital.

I'm assured he will be okay, but he obviously will not be able to appear on camera.

However his sons UK-based Hitesh and Manoj, who have flown over to make sure their dad is okay, show me around the resort and tell me the story behind it all.

Watch their interviews on the video link above. You'll see plenty of pretty sunset shots that will doubtless make you feel miserable about the chilly and grey weather in England.

That's all from me. Thanks for reading.

Brady Haran (India, January 2007)