Radhika and Kaveri’s adventures on the farm.
Lucie got more than she bargained for twice in the day.
As did the fireflies captured by the girls
Exploring Varnam Homestay.
Category: Kaveri
Wayanad
We’ve returned to Varnam homestay
Introduced to us by previous guests (there’s been a bit of to and fro, with guests visiting both here and Mysore Bed and Breakfast.) and especially Antoinette (aka the Queen, who’s retained her head) it’s our second visit this school holiday.
I didn’t want to risk driving the radical red so far so Anjum drove us in his taxi.
There’s plenty of entertainment.
Including self-made
BUT ITS BEEN A SHOCK
…
This morning Lucie and I went for a walk on the other side of the lake but it didn’t go to plan.
Lucie slipped down a bank, touched the electric fence and ended up on the other side. It was a joke, an episode of ‘Laurel and Hardy’.
Comedy from silent movie days.
I created a barrier with palm leaf and hauled her back through the fence, with a ‘thank you’ nip for my trouble.
The girls have now found the beginning of the next day.
Summer Camp four 2024
Just to ensure you got it….. the following activities have formed this year’s camp for Kaveri …
Swimming, skating, trying out new things…
and dropping into the summer camp organised by Manjesh of Chirayu Dance Institute here in Siddarthalayout.
That’s not to mention, watching movies, walking Lucie, visitors to Aroma for treats, pestering for one thing or another, especially screen time.
Predominantly staying at Mysore Bed and Breakfast with auntie — sorry sister — Radhika, but what is the old git doing?
Apparently traditionally thanking the guests for joining the final celebration of Chirayu’s Summer Camp.
Visiting Leela vet hospital as Lucie, the old dear has developed a limp. Dodgy Joints? not to mention it’s too hot for her!!
Tomorrow is someone’s tenth birthday.
Summer Camp 2024 three.
There’s already too much screen time
Who knows what ….. if it wasn’t restricted!!
Summer Camp 2024 two
Our fun activities since returning to Mysore include:
Skating
Kaveri has progressed to new skates and uniform, again with the Elite Roller Skating Academy
…
Swimming
classes again at our local pool.
and a local dance centre has organised their very own summer camp.
With a day out
Who’d have believed it…
Four years ago, Lucie is scrounging. Nowadays her access to street food is severely restricted as she’s getting on and sometimes had digestive issues. But this is the beginning of another story.
It was to be another two years before I met another light in my life.
Summer Camp 2024 – one
It’s the third year since meeting Kaveri.
School holiday is a great opportunity to spend wonderful adventures together.
In our first week, this year we’ve visited Kodagu, Kannur and Wayanad. A great mix of countryside, sea and sand.
Kodagu in the western ghats is a couple of hours west of Mysore.
I’ve been many time to Kannur, further west in Kerala, and taken quite a few friends. Radhika Kaveri’s sister (auntie) couldn’t join us as her mother had an accident and needed support. Lucie a French workawayer helped out at the school and stepped into the breach. A great help.
Finally Shabaz our wonderful friend from Kannur dropped is Wayanad for a final night before returning to Mysore.
You know who you are.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen .
No it’s not another posting about Shakespeare or Caesar —- it’s about a different inspiration —-
Manjula
As we approach the anniversary of Manjula’s partial departure five years ago (she is of course very much with us) I want to remember her beautiful wonderfulness and recall the good we’ve done together, in her name.
And so it’s also about you: ‘Manjula’s Kind’ friends who have given cash or help-in-kind or moral support to help me through the grief gravy and to take action.
Amongst these are (please follow the links for more information):
– granite benches and garden in our nearby park in Siddarthanagar in partnership with the MCC
-creativity days for 40 visually impaired young women,
– five events/workshops at Kaliyuvamane, (a ‘free/alternative school) for 100 children, there’s many mentions on our sites, here’s two … 1 and 2
– sponsoring a young girl who now attends Kaliyuvamane. The famous Kaveri who’s peppered throughout our sites and dominates my life.
– donating cycles
And many more actions
Thank you so much
Stephen
With Manjula
Lucie in action.
Lucie from Normandy is a workawayer staying at Mysore Bed and Breakfast and finding time to visit Kaliyuvamane to share her language skills.
A year later..
It’s been that long since Kaveri joined Kaliyuvamane
From the very beginning —-Sarvesh (Multi-lingual, typical talented Indian) and I (mono-lingual.. you know the stuff!!) explained to her mum Chandrika the pros and cons of the school:
— it’s small, free to parents, with a good track record from not following the education sausage factory model
— It’s residential, and you’ll only see Kaveri at home a couple of times a month although you can visit as often as you wish.
— as it’s outside the system she can’t easily (if at all) rejoin a mainstream education (it’s an alternative/free school) until age 16
Chandrika and Mani had visited this and one other school I’d suggested and been invited to suggest others.
We did emphasise it was her decision.
She chose Kaliyuvamane.
Personally I liked the school its approach to education and life in general. I think it’s been a great success. The fact that it’s residential, also helps.
BUT over the past few months Kaveri’s mother has changed her mind. She, in any case has difficulty sticking to one thing. She decided to take Kaveri out of the school.
She misses her and wants her to help around the house. Neighbours, employers and others, we don’t really know who, criticise her for ‘giving-up’ her daughter.
It’s been a stressful period to put it mildly.
You’d be forgiven for thinking she’d gone stark raving mad. Everything about Kaveri and her life as improved dramatically. She now the average size for her age, progressed in all her education, had a great confidence, a real star at the school. Ticks in all directions.
So we invited Chandrika, her mum and sister over to my house to decide.
Chandrika has agreed to keep Kaveri at Kaliyuvamane. Thanks to everyone in the team, and at Kaliyuvamane. Not forgetting the significant help from Sarvesh, in Australia.
Me and MYCycle 