Especially here
Kaveri’s Auntie and Grandmother loving the ‘Kaveri’s Summer Camp’ photo album.
Sarvesh and I are just back from visiting Kaveri
With a present…
Yes, your guessed it, with another copy of the photo album.
Warm smiles all round
Category: our story
Rebel Two
She lives in Hinkal on the other side of Mysore but I get to see her some weekends and during the school summer holiday, when she visits her grandmother, who lives opposite our house.
We’re in the midst of school holidays so she’s here everyday for a few weeks and I’ve introduced ta – ra ta -ra….
We’ve already had walking Lucie, cycling single and tandem, many trips to the cafe, the infamous holiday, games on and off screen, trips to various institutions namely the vets and dentist, outings in the Ambassador, storytelling, shopping for birthday present clothes more and more….
There’s a serious reason for all this related to MAnjula.
Layers of love
I was first drawn to India its people and places almost 50 years ago.
But wasn’t until 19 years ago that I finally arrived. On that first visit I realised it was love. India has been a significant part of my life ever since.
It led me to meeting Manjula 12 years ago when she came to work for me, we fell in love and created a wonderful life together, which we shared with many of you.
We were together for over nine years and I married my beautiful Manjula at age 61, never having been married before.
It wasn’t the usual Indian wedding. I’ve already written about when getting ready and the wedding itself.
Manjula showed me me how critical it was to sustain and grow our love through being attentive and present. Young couples in our extended family might, have heard that once or twice. 🤭
Since losing Manjula over three years ago I’ve shared something of my journey through this site. Her presence remains with me in so many ways, I love her even more and she continues to reveal more and more layers of love.
I hope to publish our story next year, please do keep checking our site for details. I’ll set up a mailing list to keep you up to date with progress and the odd insight. Watch this space.
We’re off back home
A fitting end to
a wonderful few days
It’s raining and pouring, thunder and lightening, most have left — the remaining fragment of Kaveri, Sowbaghya, Rhadika, SB Naveen Ks, Stephen and Lucie — are here for one more night.
A fond farewell
Sadly one person was missing
But we all reminisced and felt her hug and presence in our hearts
Mycycle Tour
It’s been very quiet for the past two years factoid we’ve been closed but we’ve been fortunate to have a few friends to stay and occasional tours of Srirangaptnam.
Watch this space for news about Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MYCycle Tours.
The days after, three years ago
Doing my duty…
When one suffers such loss that forms a trauma and it’s aftermath, it’s an extra challenge to focus on the positive.
It’s especially difficult at anniversary time. There’s a preoccupation with the loss, the guilt, a blaming.
In this month there’s also helpful reminders of good, our wedding ceremonies.
Some might wonder why I follow so ‘religiously’ the traditions. It’s simply my love and devotion for MAnjula.
The day afterwards brings out memories of when she was laid to rest on her bed, outside our house with the tell tale symbols of the smouldering wood informing the neighbourhood what was happening. Next we’d go to the industrial shed-oven aka crematorium and before that a puja by the side led by Manjula’s brother.
A kindly neighbour brought Bhagavad Gita to help emphasise our duty not to become too attached to our loved ones and to help their soul spirit move onto another body.
Here’s me doing precisely that…..
Do follow the link and check the video at the end where I’m at one of the most significant places on Srirangaptnam; visited on every cycle tour over the past ten years.
This week
March is a month of significant memories.
It began with our wedding at the city corporation, followed a few days later with a celebration on Srirangaptnam.
Two years running she was admitted to intensive care and sadly and devastatingly died three years ago on the 23rd.
We do Pooja on that anniversary, help her on her way and remember fantastic times with a wonderful woman.
Here’s a video memory created by our good friend Tom, Manjula showing one of her many skills and most importantly her kindness of giving.
A visit to Kannur
I’m sitting with Lucie in our room, at Chera Rocks, which opens directly onto the beach.
It’s been another hot day which cools slightly as we pass 4 0’clock.
We have been visiting our wonderful friends Sally and Shabaz, before Eastenders Sally sadly returns to the U.K.
Together we’ve retraced Manjula and my steps during previous holidays, including Manjula’s deep desire 😉 to visit the drive-on-beach.
This morning Sally and I walked along the beaches to visit Rosie and Nazir of Kannur Beach House and share my photos of Manjula.
Manjula and I in Kannur to celebrated our engagement in 2015
It’s time for a last swim. We return to Mysore tomorrow.
We did it, followed by a shared shower, Lucie thinks it was all too much. She waits until carefully positioned next to cascade her water drops on my clothes and bag. Ha bloody ha …
Me and MYCycle 