Merry Christmas

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….

With his little helper

Yes, it’s true Santa aka Father Christmas appeared at the children’s market. But then we did it again

We’re reliably informed that there are many helpers appearing as Santa, around the world.

Our very own Father Christmas aka Santa said: “I received a message asking me to appear at two events on behalf of Santa. I’ve never met him and don’t know if he’s real or not. I don’t care about that. What’s important is not that we give presents but that we share kindness and show everyone to ‘be kind’. All the young people I’ve met already know to BK.”

A new career begins

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I’m helping out at Kaliyuvamane, the alternative ‘free’ school where Kaveri attends.

Our morning session with members of the teaching team

Then I was hijacked by Kaveri and some of her classmates

to cover a lesson as their teacher was on leave

Did someone set me up?🤭🤔🤪

It was an education! To put it mildly. I now promise to properly prepare for when a similar situation arises again.

I’ve facilitated workshops for adults for many years — that’s nothing compared to working with young people.

I realise what a challenging job the teachers have and how difficult it is to make a class interesting and responsive to the diverse needs of the students. ….. as a one off, let alone day-in-day-out!!!

Well done all.

Over lunch I did a jokey straw poll to discover that almost all the girls are non veg when not at the school . I’m sticking out again.

It was a fab day, helping me realise I’m right to support Kaveri and now the school itself to meet the needs of 100 children.

All in Manjula’s name

Great conversations.

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I collected Kav from school to visit the dentist, followed by a treat and a shopping trip.

I have no control

I love our conversations. Her English is developing at a pace.

This week we discussed: ‘I’m being positive not negative’. I’m not sure where that came from — probably from one of mother hen nags.

Separately.. Coming of age, old man (grandad/dad) ‘going round the houses’ eggs, mammals, babies, pregnancy, (not too much detail mind) eventually using the local term ‘date’ only for madam to say: ‘you mean period.’ I’ve so much to learn

Careless treeless.

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When is someone going to get a grip and do something about the wanton destruction of our wonderful trees?

We’ll regret it but by then it will be too late.

This teams job is to trim trees but were stopped removing it. The house owner needs some advice to check that the tree roots are not irreparably damaging his house beyond his driveway.

If we get it wrong people die and trees are unnecessarily destroyed.

Unfortunate tragedies like this are used as grounds to destroy perfectly healthy trees

What’s the answer?

Specialist advice?

Education of the benefits of retaining trees.

Tree protection?

Hanging out Srirangapatnam

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Here to prep the cycles for a student tour in two days.

I’m now sitting on the most unusual steps by the bathing ghats, which are featured on our Srirangaptnam tour.

With various characters walking by

I was previously innocently sitting at the bottom of the tree.

A wanderer asked where I was from and then … am I a bachelor. No reward for guessing what that means. I’m married whilst pointing to manjula’s tattoo.

Useful.

I’m appreciating wonderful views, whilst trying to ignore, in both locations, the wafting aroma of the evidence of defecating in the outdoors.

The juxtaposition of India.

We had a great tour last week, Brits, birds (they’re twitchers) and not especially smelly