It’s been quite a week

August 5, 2025August 5, 2025 SFLeave a comment

Already and it’s only Tuesday

This week we start a new arrangement.

Kaveri is now staying alternate weeks between the home MAnjula created and home with her mum Chandrika

That’s after ..

.. a Great weekend together

It’s involved buying new shoes, maths, animals, angles, English, Hindi (I was not involved with that one), breakfast, more and more.

It’s exhausting.

I’m feeling it but also realising how Sowbaghya is stepping up by preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner and finishing my pathetic attempts to comb Kaveri’s hair.

It reminds me of … what a challenge it is and my own long hair in the 70s.

and another thing … the curriculum, text books, homework have made mistakes about turtles and tortoises. It’s sort of understandable but can’t correct it for Kaveri as she’d then answer it wrong in her homework or test. . Now there’s a lesson, of sorts.

A tortoise might be a type of ‘turtle’ and a reptile but it doesn’t live in water but on land!!

Here’s thanks from AI searching the net.

Yes, all tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Tortoises are a type of turtle that are specifically adapted to live on land, while the term “turtle” generally refers to reptiles with shells that can live in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Order Testudines:Both turtles and tortoises belong to the order Testudines, which encompasses all reptiles with a shell.
Tortoises:Tortoises are a family of turtles (Testudinidae) characterized by their terrestrial lifestyle and distinct physical features like domed shells and sturdy, often “elephantine” legs.
Turtles:The term “turtle” is broader and can include both aquatic (like sea turtles and freshwater turtles) and semi-aquatic species, as well as tortoises.
Key Difference:The primary difference lies in their habitat and related adaptations. Tortoises are land-dwellers, while turtles can be aquatic, semi-aquatic, or terrestrial.

The homework had got tortoises going in the water.

We approach Manjula’s birthday

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 SFLeave a comment

In August Manjula would have been 52.

We have traditions in the U.K. to commemorate and recognise significant people’s contribution by installing a blue plaque on the house where they lived

Like this one ….

So we just had to get one for MAnjula

Sarvesh, and Stephen the Directors of Manjula’s Mysore with Kaveri who we sponsor and support.

MAnjula remains in our home in Mysore in so many ways, this seemed like a fitting tribute to our precious …

Kaveri and her mum Chandrika unveiling Manjula’s blue plaque (again)

Kaveri and Sowbaghya reveal our lovely new plaque, witnessed by Akram

In recognition of her tolerance of the Yindian and her sharing her love through her beauty, infectious smile and attentive presence.

We love and miss you MAnjula. You’re here in our hearts and guide us in everything we do.

Manjula was our sunshine and a …

With Teeny feet

We’ll do more to remember her on her happy birthday.

If there ever was any doubt…

August 3, 2025 SFLeave a comment

… about my purpose.

It was pretty clear this weekend.

I’ve adopted an extra grand daughter and this was our first weekend together since my return from holiday

Thank you Kaveri.

You are IT

Confined

June 12, 2025 SFLeave a comment

She’s sort of confined for a couple of weeks. Seemed in high spirits even though she’s only had the four walls for a week and there’s another ten days to go.

It’s a one in a lifetime experience but I use the term confined as it can refer to a jail/gaol or period after a birth. Only yesterday I was referring to how the invention of the printing press had helped release us from the diktats of the priests, at least in Europe.

More later.

On ‘coming of age’

Today, bowling.

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 SFLeave a comment

Stephen, Kaveri, SB and Naveen (the winner)

Which child dripped chocolate from the waffle down his new t shirt?

Creating Stones

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 SFLeave a comment

It’s the last few days before the summer school holiday ends.

There’s time to fit in one more activity

Our new good friend Pravalika introduced Kaveri to the art of stone carving

We’re at one of the most famous stone-carvers in India and it’s in Mysore.

We can see all the stages of creating a statue: from the rough hewn shape through to the final finish

It’s surprisingly delicate and quite fast.

Pravalika is a patient teacher and patient carver, she wonderfully manages the double pressure.

Kaveri is, of course, also a star.

The elder, yes that’s me, managed an inch of carving before the women gave up in despair.

New spots? Maybe not.

The chief stone carver and therefore the workshop famously created the statue for the new Ayodya Temple last year.

Kaveri’s first stone carving is dedicated to MAnjula and will be installed at Mysore Bed and Breakfast.

About time too

May 26, 2025 SFLeave a comment

My friends in the UK would laugh at this and declare ‘it’s about time too’.

I’m from the north you know and traditionally we are considered to have the wrong accent, miss letters out of our words and generally not be ‘up to scratch.’

Times have moved on now. We even have regional accents on the BBC .

But there might be some truth in that humour (as usual)

I’ve been helping Kaveri with her English while at the same time discovering it for myself.

🤭

I’m learning about grammar, the names and function of key words.

A helping hand

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025 SFLeave a comment

I led an unusual cycle tour today on Srirangapatnam.

Four teenagers, ok one isn’t yet but no one would know. Were invited to join me for a cycle tour ostensibly to better understand how to be a guide.

My objective which alines with my latest thinking on how we might better prepare young people to be more rounded and better active citizens as they mature.

I’d hoped that the day’s adventure would help improve their confidence, communication and assertiveness.

Big ask but a tiny step.

Coincidentally Kaveri asked me why a horse had blinkers. I lost no opportunity to use the analogy in how it’s important for them to get a wider view.

I delivered the standard tour with more emphasis on how they should manage it, rather than the content.

SB the ever present aid and family member was her usual great support.

After the tour we visited the recently opened car museum

The museum included a similar Mercedes to one I owned in the 90s, my wonderful inactive Ambassador and a candlestick telephone like one at home.

…

I’ve invited them to continue with this journey, if they wish, so that within a year ( much less!) they should be able to lead a tour.

Who knows where it might lead —- greater personal competencies at least.

If it happens— I’m open to them leading tours and maybe taking over and expanding. I have absolutely no expectations.

They’re all very different characters but of course, all have potential.

I was happy with the day.

Who adopted who?

May 19, 2025 SFLeave a comment

… or who’s the boss? Well nobody really.

I refer to how kaveri (age 11) who in a little over three years has matured mentally, physically and socially. It is, of course, a very significant stage in life.

Kaveri (age 11) today with her mum Chandrika at a wedding of a member of the extended family in the village

As you can see she now almost as tall as her mum (age 29?).

I’m proud of her and the little help I’ve been able to be.

Early days, just a little girl, shortly before her eighth birthday.

On reflection, she’s always been quite ‘together’ for her age.

Off to school with her auntie (aka sister)

She’s just about to start her third school since I’ve known her. I’ve promised that Manjula’s Mysore will continue to support her education up to university and maybe beyond.