Back home in Mysore

July 20, 2023August 10, 2023 SFLeave a comment

What’sapp between Ani and I

Manjula keeping her watchful eye, caring kindness and wonderful presence.

Ani arrives back from the US en route to Bylakuppe. After retiring as psychologist in the US she became a Tibetan Buddhist nun

Sowbaghya is in charge, looking after the house and menagerie while I’m away.

We’ve been waiting to see the beautiful flower, Manjula’s favourite but missed its full glory.

So here, from a few years ago, are the two beauties together

She loved it and we her.

Meet Emma and her beautiful home

July 20, 2023July 21, 2023 SFLeave a comment

Emma is a very very good friend, we met when working for Business in the Community.

Emma and I explored Kerala together after she visited Mysore

On first impressions you might think she’s very posh. Quickly you’ll realise as I did that she is one of the most down-to-earth, warm hearted and compassionate, caring people you can meet.

Next stop Bristol

July 17, 2023 SF1 Comment

Sally in Bristol.

Sally first visited us at Mysore Bed and Breakfast, years ago. She now leads textile tours of India.

Exploring the city, finding magic, public arts and engineering innovations.

Engineering marvels by Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Meeting Ruth

July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 SFLeave a comment

Ruth visited us at Mysore Bed and Breakfast over the years.

I’m visiting her again in Bath in England. Ruth is a poet and the last time she came to Mysore to collect material for her latest book

Last night I attended a reading of her poetry.

Visiting Jony

July 11, 2023July 11, 2023 SFLeave a comment

Jony visited us, years ago in Mysore, and I’ve now returned to him a few times at his home in SW England in Hilpertin village, near Bath.

He’s become a good friend and a place of stimulating political, insightful and personally intimate (family, relationships, grief) conversations.

The t shirt says it all. I’m no help with physical lugging and probably limited value on the emotional support. I’ve even lost the skill of making tea.

Jony hasn’t and bakes bread. I’m borderline embarrassed by my inaction.

Amongst his many activities and interests, he’s about to publish a second book of great photos from his travels. Profits from his first were donated a few years ago to Kaliyuvamane school where Kaveri now attends.

Part three in The U.K. Visa

July 7, 2023July 10, 2023 SFLeave a comment

I’ll not bore you with full details. But I have to apply for another business visa and my status in India is not secure as MAnjula died.

My mug shot for uploading. Accepted after five attempts. Just don’t ask.

Next day visa issued. Now relax!

Ok will do at the cinema. With Poppy and Alice to see the latest Indians Jones action movie.

Travel again, to SW England, to visit Jony, Ruth and Sally

Alice, Ben and Poppy are wonderful hosts. The least I can do is give flowers and take them out for a meal.

Pictures of England Part two shopping

July 7, 2023July 8, 2023 SFLeave a comment

One for Kaveri. The pavement (sidewalk) is smooth enough for skating unlike in Mysore.

My favourite shop for discounted clothes, shoes lots of things.

I spent more in twenty minutes in the supermarket than in over two months at our local veg and fruit shop.

I used to take Cadburys roses chocolates back to MAnjula who would share them out to friends and their children. The cheaper bigger tins will not be available until December so there’s none to buy for Kaveri’s school. What a shame.

Later that day, outside Poppy’s flat

The three police cars with flashing lights have circled a woman pedestrian who’s lying on the road, injured after an accident with a two wheeler. Three police are directing the traffic, one is interviewing the two wheeler rider and two more are giving First Aid to the injured woman.

It’s all calm.

Everyone did as asked and all went smoothly.

I didn’t take photos of the immediate situation or hang around, out of respect.

Pictures of England ….

July 7, 2023 SFLeave a comment

For friends in India.

Occasional photos to show what it’s like in England.

Step one London.

Aerial view as I arrive. There’s lots of well known places in the photo. Including the river Thames and Tower Bridge.

Ben, Alice and Poppy live in north London

The roads are busy

A cycle lane separated from the other traffic by a simple white line.

It works as the motorised vehicles stick to their lane

First impressions on arriving on Thursday. Manjula realised how diverse London is on her first visit. The local shop near our friend Gina and Angus’s house was run by Punjabs

Here on Haringay Green lanes it’s residents include people from Poland, Turkey and Asia, including India.

Some new drivers add these signs on their car to show other they’ve inly recently passed their test. Available in the post office.

The equivalent of 300 rupees for a plastic rule! It’s not cheap in England.

Next: Shopping locally.

Camping

August 5, 2022July 14, 2023 SFLeave a comment

I’m remembering last years visit and thinking through what I’ll do this time. All rather last minute.

I’ll definitely go camping again this trip, hopefully with my son Oliver and Rachel.

In 2022 I revisited Dorset where we had a family camp on Manjula’s second holiday in England.

The lovely tent I bought for MAnjula and I to camp together.

My Indian friends can’t quite believe this sea side tradition

Our hostess at ‘the hive’ who remembers my previous visit with the full on family including that beautiful Indian woman.

Just making friends with other northerners visiting the south coast.

Philosophical thoughts

February 26, 2022 SF2 Comments

India stimulates all sorts of reflections like …. What’s the purpose of the line?

a boundary, a border, between in and out? Here and there? Normal and abnormal? The limen … an important guide, the threshold, between one world and another.