Lucie and Billet-Doux have taken to walking with me in our park at ten each eve.
A new friend has appeared. After a few false starts and falling over I’ve now managed to photograph her.
She calls out. A sort of sophisticated cheeping sound and flits closeby seemingly sitting intentionally in locations on our route.
Or I’m assuming the best and maybe she wary of the ginger hunter by our side.
I am myself.
At recent meetings, speakers showed sensitivity towards me and my nationality as they were being critical of the British Empire.
I thank them for their sensitivity but I’m not the least bothered by such things.
Imperialists and their actions are reprehensible. But that’s not me. I’m also not responsible for what they did. Fact is they did some of their deplorable actions to their own people, potentially some like me: Irish, Scottish and working class.
By the ‘accident’ of birth I’m British but in no way am I responsible for British imperialism or colonial racist attitudes. On the contrary, I’m firmly against it. I’m from a different age and the politicians, leaders, business people of my birth country then or now, do not in any way represent my views.
It’s simplistic maybe even racist to think otherwise.
I decide for myself.
An Indian friend was surprised to hear that we British don’t, parade around and march on significant days, the royalty and army might but many of us from the U.K. reject it and the nationalism it represents.
Each to their own.
There are three items, a video, a book and a song that reflect something of my views. Worth a look if you have the time.
I’d prefer it if we saw ourselves as global citizens, with the responsibility as stewards of our planet.
In my life and work I’ve endeavoured to help people from many different ethnicities, cultures and situations to choose for themselves, to be active participants in the decisions which affect them and not passive recipients of what others force on them. To do this we need to continue to understand and manage our own prejudices and beliefs.
My first conversation with Manjula, who became my wife, was to declare we are equal, different but equal. That helped create a strong foundation for a wonderful nine years together.
In my view, we should show compassion and care for one another in appropriate ways. Sometimes that might mean challenging the way things are, I’m trying to do that in honour of my wife.
We all should however learn from our country and personal pasts, not use it as an excuse for contemporary inaction and be kind to everything else that makes up our world.
Bertrand also helps out…
Help Required.
Kaveri will spend much of the Summer school holiday in April and May with me at Mysore Bed and Breakfast
She’s a great kid and nearly ten.
It’s fun.
Last year Ilaria helped me provide activities and be ‘chaperone’. More here.
We had all sorts of activities … skating, swimming, crafts, cycling and a bit of seaside. We’ll do similar this year but need help.
Can you (needs to be a woman) come and stay preferably for a minimum of three weeks. Accommodation provided and meals. Last year Ilaria came as a workaway volunteer. We tailor it to try fit in everyone’s needs and preferences.
Write if you wish to find out more.
Tours@mycycle.co
It’s been almost five years since Manjula’s spirit split….
… Off to a new life (she still keeps in touch through her messengers). But part of her remains here, her presence is felt always. In the last few months as this anniversary approaches we’ve heard from and had visits from many previous guests who remain friends. Only two weeks ago our first guest Amina from 2011 returned to kindly deliver a mindfulness session for students at the school.
We found her entry, the very first, in our guest book. In it she said
‘it’s the people that make the place’
how right she was.
The no 1 person who set it up remains with us.
Vasanth and Sowbaghya are helping liaise with Sam whose team have taken on the job.
He couldn’t quite understand why I wished to preserve the number plate, as it is.
Probably no one else did either.
It’s now a piece of artistic memory in the upstairs lounge.
Ok some might say it’s just extra tat but it is part of our story.
Wonderful visitors from India, Nepal, Germany, Netherlands, USA, and a fair few from the disunited kingdom including a special guest from Hebden Bridge, (my home town before Mysore. )
The beauty appear when she returns?
Maybe we could go for the Lady Penelope look.
I wonder how MAnjula would vote
Sometimes Featured on our Srirangapatnam Cycle tour as it relates to the 4th war of Mysore.
It’s considered to be the first English Detective Novel.
Sharpe’s Tipu
Stefan from Germany asked how often I visit this hotel.
Less than 30 mins walk from mysore BnB it’s an obvious place to walk Lucie and drop in for a drink.
It’s a wonderful place.
Fact is it’s infrequently that I visit
When guests are into the idea and I show the way, and Lucie appreciates the walk.
But what a fab place.
The velvet padded roof from inside has been retained and brought back home. Later we’ll decide if it can be repaired and used.
The seats, floor covers, windows, window mechanisms are all now here, so they’re less likely to get lost or damaged.
Our new team member, whose team will do the work, seems detailed enough, checking each step of the way. The carburettor needs replacing, the battery will be shifted as part of installing disc brakes.
Me and MYCycle 