Category: Life in India

What’s the first classroom of the day?

SFLeave a comment

After leaving home the first space they enter for many students is the ubiquitous van.

As we know our children (aka future adults) are constantly learning

Through observation, sounds sights, our behaviours show them ways to be —- not always thought through or the best examples.

Imagine for a moment what they pick up from that first space in the morning after leaving home.

Is it calm, kindness, helpfulness?

Maybe but most likely in that van —- they’re recklessly sped around, constant horn, regular screeching, aggressive insensitive behaviour of a seemingly uncaring driver.

Please note: vans posed by models. They maybe the best behaved, we don’t know.

Not all the apples are bad.

So let’s not assume they’re all the same —

I’ve observed careful, safe drivers

—- but too many demonstrate the worse road behaviour.

So often our children are transported in a bad van and shown the worse behaviour.

So should we be surprised if we are creating future inconsiderate aggressive pushy people on the roads and maybe elsewhere?

What can we do about it?

Challenge bad behaviour when we see it?

Discuss this with our children?

Kaveri isn’t taken to school in a van.

But when we walk the streets, or she rides pillion, or cycle, we both notice and comment on both good and bad behaviour on the road.

My duty is to help her observe, evaluate and ultimately think for herself

…

We often forget that everything is an experience that we can learn from.

Florian can be relied upon ..

SFLeave a comment

.. to create a great evening.

This time to say farewell to Maïlis.

For two years running Maïlis has been our lovely guest. She is at risk of becoming ‘part of the furniture’. In a nice way obviously.

Our crew with flavours (and languages to match) of France, India, Germany and England…

A relief from Bangalore… ?

SFLeave a comment

I expect it is a relief to escape the traffic.

Ashish came on one of his timely (they always are) visits. He’s a best example of how friends introduce us to new friends, originally brought to us by Anna, this time he kindly introduces to another new friend — Nesan

It’s one of the great benefits of sharing our home.

As usual laden with gifts and treating us all. He stocks us up with an incredible range of goodies.

Luka was overcome with excitement,

After our visit to the Nursery for garden additions.

We joke about getting away from Bangalore but we all value the change, so perhaps it’s time for a holiday once the court thing is resolved.

Fact is the traffic is getting too much in Mysore!

An art conversation and kind offer.

SFLeave a comment

This was my response to the message posted in our local Mysore community….

I’d love it, but I just can’t. To me .. It reflects different dimensions, feelings or moods. MAnjula my wife who sadly died seven years ago would reveal all


These layers.

Starting from the left Her smile, shining like the sun would infect everyone she met. The middle is her action, being there always helpful and determined. The third her calmness in whatever situation. The style reflects her embracing the tradional and the modern.  Wrapping it all up would be her attention to being present and attentive.

I can’t take it as I’ve just moved and already have too much art

https://meandmycycle.com/2026/05/08/behold-beauty-in-so-many-ways/

…

The full message …. posted to our local WhatsApp group in Mysore.

Dear Art Lovers,

This is not an easy message for me to write.

There is a piece of art that has been a meaningful part of my journey for a long time. It has quietly shared my space, witnessed many chapters of my life, and carried a presence that words often fail to describe.

However, life has brought me to a point where I can no longer hold on to it. While letting it go is difficult, I feel that this piece deserves to continue its journey with someone who truly connects with it and appreciates it from the heart.

I don’t want to place a price tag on this artwork. Some things cannot be measured by a fixed number. Instead, I would love to hear from those who feel genuinely drawn to it.

If this piece speaks to you, I invite you to send me a personal message sharing:

• Why you feel connected to this artwork.

• What story, feeling, or memory it awakens within you.

• And what amount you would be comfortable offering for it.

Over the next few days, I will read each message with gratitude and care. My intention is not simply to find a buyer, but to find the right home for this piece—someone who will cherish it as much as I have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for honoring the journey of this artwork.

It is a canvas painting on a wooden frame. 

Dimensions 28 by 58 inches.

Cycle to school

SFLeave a comment

Kaveri suggested we cycle to school. So after a ‘dry run’ on Sunday and a potential wet one yesterday we finally launched today.

We’ve cycled together for over three years and she was confident cycling before we met but it’s provided an opportunity to improve our safe cycling.

Between this and pillion on my Enfield like me, she’s pointing out all the reckless incorrect road behaviour.

That’s my girl

Fruit Thali

SFLeave a comment

It seemed a little hectic this morning. Malis staying with us but not to be seen — yet. Cats fighting in the house in the middle of the night. Kaveri doing last minute revision (maybe) and off to school early for yoga and exam with sports after school.

Yesterday planning the cycle route to school

Kaveri and I had planned to cycle to school this week but that’s delayed to Thursday —- we can’t have too many changes in one day!

Sowbhagya still holding us all together — has now left to do home cooking for her business and will return later.

…

Last night we attended a great new event, it’s where we got a thali of fruit… fab!

Great venue, we met the owner and an old friend Sham Sunder the environmental sustainability head of Crest at NIE – National Institute of Engineering who I first met — on a great cycle ride that he arranged — shortly after arriving in Mysore

Held at the Nityotsava Convention Centre

Kaveri and the women in her family.

SFLeave a comment

I had the pleasure of meeting Kaveri from school and spending some time with the women of the family.

…

Kaveri and I first visited the new babe.

His mum Radhika (her auntie) Kaveri and I have spent much time together over the past few years, especially in school summer holidays when they’d go to swimming lessons, stay with me and we’d have vacations in Kannur and Wayanad.

The little one, entertained by Kaveri and Radhika.
Gotcha

Grandmother is forever avoiding my camera.

Next I visited Chandrika’s (Kaveri’s mum’s) new home for dinner

I had a lovely catch up with Kaveri and Chandrika drawing the neighbourhood kids in to say hello
I reminded them of the agreement Chandrika and I (on behalf of the business, with the invaluable help of Sarvesh) had for us to support Kaveri and work with Chandrika to help Kaveri do the best she can be

I used the opportunity (hobby horse —soap box) to emphasise we should help Kaveri to be strong, a good communicator, and be kind. This was more important than stuffing her full of facts, in order to pass exams.

Kaveri was the full on interpreter.

We needed to encourage, support, even put pressure on Kaveri — who can be a bit lazy— to do better

Just before I left Chandrika, Kaveri and I went back to bring all the girls together again.

I explained that my current meetings with advocates were to enable me to stay in India My priority being continue to support Kaveri for ten years into adulthood.

I am so proud of Kaveri, MAnjula is sooooo pleased.