Next stop Bristol

July 17, 2023 SF1 Comment

Sally in Bristol.

Sally first visited us at Mysore Bed and Breakfast, years ago. She now leads textile tours of India.

Exploring the city, finding magic, public arts and engineering innovations.

Engineering marvels by Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Visiting Jony and Ruth.

July 11, 2023July 13, 2023 SFLeave a comment

Part three in The U.K. Visa

July 7, 2023July 10, 2023 SFLeave a comment

I’ll not bore you with full details. But I have to apply for another business visa and my status in India is not secure as MAnjula died.

My mug shot for uploading. Accepted after five attempts. Just don’t ask.

Next day visa issued. Now relax!

Ok will do at the cinema. With Poppy and Alice to see the latest Indians Jones action movie.

Travel again, to SW England, to visit Jony, Ruth and Sally

Alice, Ben and Poppy are wonderful hosts. The least I can do is give flowers and take them out for a meal.

Pictures of England ….

July 7, 2023 SFLeave a comment

For friends in India.

Occasional photos to show what it’s like in England.

Step one London.

Aerial view as I arrive. There’s lots of well known places in the photo. Including the river Thames and Tower Bridge.

Ben, Alice and Poppy live in north London

The roads are busy

A cycle lane separated from the other traffic by a simple white line.

It works as the motorised vehicles stick to their lane

First impressions on arriving on Thursday. Manjula realised how diverse London is on her first visit. The local shop near our friend Gina and Angus’s house was run by Punjabs

Here on Haringay Green lanes it’s residents include people from Poland, Turkey and Asia, including India.

Some new drivers add these signs on their car to show other they’ve inly recently passed their test. Available in the post office.

The equivalent of 300 rupees for a plastic rule! It’s not cheap in England.

Next: Shopping locally.

Camping

August 5, 2022July 14, 2023 SFLeave a comment

I’m remembering last years visit and thinking through what I’ll do this time. All rather last minute.

I’ll definitely go camping again this trip, hopefully with my son Oliver and Rachel.

In 2022 I revisited Dorset where we had a family camp on Manjula’s second holiday in England.

The lovely tent I bought for MAnjula and I to camp together.

My Indian friends can’t quite believe this sea side tradition

Our hostess at ‘the hive’ who remembers my previous visit with the full on family including that beautiful Indian woman.

Just making friends with other northerners visiting the south coast.

Can we find her?

July 12, 2022 SF2 Comments

Isn’t she pretty?

Stolen

… in Mount Pleasant Vancouver. Please pass this information on to help locate her. there’s a reward of cash or a free cycle tour and accommodation in Mysore, flight not included. 🤭

I’d planned to bring her back to London and then onto India after she was given to me by my son while holidaying in Canada in July 2022.

Image gallery image — Originally a single gear from over ten years ago a three speed hub Shimano gears and coaster brake were added. The gear control on the handle bar shows 1-2-3 and is scratched.

After a trip to Vancouver island we cycled the goose cycle trail.

There’s more of our history here.

She’s distinctive with her yellow frame, white wheels and pretend leather saddle. She has a single front rim brake.

Meet Trixie

I’ve now flown back but can arrange to pick her up or have her transported when we find her.

My son Oliver Farrell is the proprietor of ‘Feel Good Everyday’ near the railway (train) station in Vancouver and can be contacted there or online. Please email me at sfindia@gmail.com

We’ve listed details here

Manufactured by Regal Bicycles in Toronto, she was known as ‘Count’ over ten years ago as a single gear fixie but now she has the addition of three speed gears and coaster brake and so we named her Trixie

I lead city Mcycle tours and host Mysore Bed and Breakfast in South India.

My experience was otherwise very positive in Canada.

Vancouver and the island are great

Canada Cares

July 8, 2022July 10, 2022 SF1 Comment

Potable water at drinking fountains for people and dogs.

Thinking about children and not driving rashly.

Buttons to change the lights to cross the road safely.

Cars stopping at the lights and not over the line.

Rubbish/litter bins with a shelf for recycling items which poor people collect and sell.

Drivers keep to the lane and stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings and side roads.

Saying sorry and carrying cycles on the front of buses.

Guests of Mysore Bed and Breakfast that welcome you into their home…. even after getting to know me.

Considerate Canadians helping out.

That’s nice.

Postscript

While I was out and preparing this posting someone came round (or maybe overnight) and stole Trixie, my new friend. So not all Canadians are good apples.

Vancouver Island

July 6, 2022July 12, 2022 SF2 Comments

I’m visiting one of the Sari Sisters, a group of women cyclists from Vancouver Island.

They came to India stayed with us and cycled from Mysore to Cochin.

This is my third visit. Lise and Michael kindly ‘put me up’

I’ve had a wonderful few days exploring Victoria, the capital of BC and cycling along the Galloping Goose Trail.

Victoria and the island (as long as England!) is a great place

Cyclists are catered for with cycle routes, great maps, considerate drivers and safe secure places to leave your cycle

With random deer, not cows.

Trixie was with me all the way.

Meet Trixie, Vancouver 3

July 3, 2022July 12, 2022 SFLeave a comment

Meet Trixie… My new friend has taken me in and around Vancouver city, to the sea and across to Vancouver Island.

Every time I visit Vancouver I’m reminded of the politeness. How people greet each other; how drivers generally behave and give way to pedestrians especially on side roads; and how it’s institutions respect and respond to their communities.

Even cyclists and their bikes are carefully catered for.

But…

And on the Buses en route to the ferry to Vancouver Island.

Trixie isn’t all that she seems.

Originally manufactured by ‘Regal Cycles’ over ten years ago. Known as ‘the Count’ she was a Fixie or fixed gear but after some tinkering she was transformed with a new set of handlebars, 3 speed hub gears and a coaster brake.