Buddha

September 11, 2026September 11, 2026 SF3 Comments

Today I’m on a shorter cycle ride, back to the peace pagoda in Battersea Park

I remember it being built when I lived in South London in the early 80s

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Buddhist?

I go with the Marx brothers view that I wouldn’t join a club that would have me as a member.

Maybe I have a slightly different approach and do join lots of things —- Boys Brigade, Sunday School, Scouts, Youth Club, Air Cadets (ATC), Jesus freak in my teens.

But I don’t necessarily stick with one thing or hang around

I’m from the U.K. where I’ve lived most of my life, travelled a bit and now settled(?) in India. I tell people I’ve had five careers having facilitated lots of things in all the sectors.

I’ll discuss politics, religion, Spirituality and philosophy with our guests who think I’m Buddhist. I like what it represents but even Gautam wouldn’t be inclined to join a club.

I live on the Limen, a view that was often discussed with my MPhil supervisor.

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The Pagoda is in a great location by the river Thames

Brain ache

September 9, 2026 SFLeave a comment

I knowingly failed twice yesterday, on the word quiz wordle. First to guess the word and second to pronounce and therefore understand the word properly — once it was revealed.

It was Liven

Pronounced Ly-ven or Lie-ven but I couldn’t get past pronouncing it as Li-ven.

This not necessarily about the vagaries of the English language but is maybe evidence of a deteriorating brain.

It’s sometimes feels as if it’s full of cobwebs or little stomping men.

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So I’ve stopped cycling and I’m distracting myself, observing the Thames river.

Could it be …

Age deterioration or almost twenty years living in Indian English

Or stop overthinking you idiot.

Cycling is like flying

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 SFLeave a comment

Well not really

I have flown a chipmunk trainer and glider in my teens. I can tell you … Cycling can’t match it.

Nor is it like swimming

But IT IS liberating.

It’s one of our best ways to adventure and get us moving.

And it’s cheap!

Clutter has meaning

July 22, 2026 SFLeave a comment

Slowly we settle into the new home where new and old memories reveal themselves through the art.

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Finding this was an adventure in itself

Our art grows

A park that MAnjula and I loved.

June 25, 2026 SFLeave a comment

We’d be ‘young’ lovers here walking, resting, being attentive and present for each other.

It’s now a short cycle ride from no 179

Here, I’m just opposite what might have been the first all India radio broadcaster.

These pics do not show the park at its best but I’m resting!

Who’s the very young guy who dive bombed my photo?

I’m not old, right? Or so I keep getting told by those who care.

Maïlis has become a great friend

June 20, 2026June 20, 2026 SFLeave a comment

After staying with us in 2025 and 2026

Initially here for yoga conference she soon branched out to all sorts of activities — stone carving, chanting, Kannada and Sanskrit — she returns to France next month to continue her studies to become a doctor.

She’s a great example of why we do this. Making new friends from India and around the world and together doing good in our community.

She’s joined our ‘family’ in so many ways. Probably the most important is how she helps us with Kaveri.

Kaveri is one of the young people we support in the community. She stays with us alternate weeks and Maïlis has been her chaperone this year. Ensuring that each evening and night there’s a woman available also staying who can guide, support Kaveri and generally available to help ensure she’s happy and safe.

We’re asking our women friends if they can help us and become a chaperone, like Maïlis. That’s being here and staying overnight when Kaveri does. It doesn’t pay but there’s somewhere to stay and sometimes a meal to share, most importantly you’re making an important contribution.

You can get involved as little or as much as you can.

Want to find out more? Help us broaden Kaveri’s horizons through the diverse people she meets.

A wonderbly gift

November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 SFLeave a comment

Kind guests donated two books for Kaveri

I collected the parcel from the post office today.

Of what’s in these wonderbly books once Kaveri receives her presents.

The officers tried their best but they were unable to delete the tax charges.

It was over 30 U.K. pounds or 3,000 rupees for two books. That’s the equivalent of what we pay for over a month of Kaveri’s education AND the cost of one of the very special personalised books.

Not good.

Farrell Factoid

In Manjula’s memory we give and support. That’s so far included over 50 bicycles, meals for elders at an ashram, creativity days for young people (including this one for visually impaired young women)

The costs of education and meetings of young people (aka reflective space), teaching and presentations.

Perfect Storm

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 SFLeave a comment

Well I’m feeling it at the moment.

It’s one thing after another.

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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

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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.

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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

As MAnjula would say ‘we’ll see’.

It’s times like these that we recognise the good things in life.

and learn from our challenges

Woodberry Wetlands

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025 SFLeave a comment

A great discovery close to where I’m staying on Harringay Green Lanes

A short (ish) 30 minute walk —— (the full loop will reopen in Feb 2026) from Harringay Green Lanes overground or as I’ve now discovered an even shorter walk (10 minutes) from Manor House Underground station —- gets you to the wetlands and their great cafe.