Registering with the Foreigners Registration Office is always unpredictable and stressful.
It’s extra this time as I’m not knowing where
my next visa will come from
…
Owner wants his house back, after sixteen years, it’s the house I’ve lived in for the longest, in my whole life.
It’s where MAnjula created our home, introduced it to the world as Mysore Bed and Breakfast and where she lit up my life like a smiling sunbeam for nine years. It’s where we sited a blue plaque (as a famous person lived here), her library and entertained thousands of people.
A museum even jokingly claimed it as their annex because it’s a living breathing art gallery from around India.
Pictures, sculptures, paintings, carvings, posters, books, all sorts of artefacts (aka clutter) from around (mainly) India, Europe and even Canada and the US.
…
Continuing to sponsor and support eleven year old Kaveri in spite of her mother and new partner sabotaging us, by changing schools, days of absence and inability to help
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.
Stephen and TriciaWe’re building something ..,
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 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 AkramIn 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.
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.
Slow fast food.Chick chick Chicken Anyone? Stephen, Kaveri, SB and Naveen (the winner) Which child dripped chocolate from the waffle down his new t shirt?
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.
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.
Maybe more meals might do the trick
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.
Me and MYCycle 