I’m back….

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I’m adjusting to the time difference (this weeks excuse for inability),

But it’s not easy ..

It’s the second morning I managed to drag myself up early for yoga, I’m waiting for the teacher at the gym with three other women when another male student walks in to speak to the women in Kannada. The local language.

Our gentle giant then leaves.

After a few minutes they get up to leave, and when I ask they tell me it’s cancelled.

I was obviously too pale and linguistically ignorant for him to tell me.

Later that morning is my next challenge.

Billet-Doux clambered through the hall (lounge) window, jumps down and drops the rat which scurries away. A gift?

Sowbaghya shrieks so she doesn’t like the surprise.

I tolerate the louder and louder squeaks coming from under the divan.

I have to take action with the help of a lathe stick .

…

But then Facebook brightens my day. The Donald —whilst destroying the US fabric — entertains.

PS in the middle of the night Bullet-Doux who’s supposed to be sleeping but she’s faffing around. Next I hear squeals and investigate under the bed.

The queen is eating a bat!

I can’t imagine what might happen next.

Woodberry Wetlands

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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.

I’ve visited almost everyday of my recent visit for their sourdough melted cheese sandwich and make friends with the wildlife.

I’ve marvelled at the birds, especially the family of swans with their rapidly growing seven dusky grey cygnets

I’ve met a lovely mix of people here, including the wonderful hosts.

An added treat this week was ….

A final farewell.

Another friend demanded to be included

A pigeon with a penchant for melted cheese.

No way Jose can you have the ginger beer.

Revealing

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What an interesting couple.

Part two with Julia and Tom

Not only cyclists but tri-athletes— so serious that they do ‘iron-man’ , quick cycles ( 40k!) and runs in the morning — It tired me out just hearing about it.

After their looooong cycle ride across Asia and Europe peddled back to England found a new place in Yorkshire.

They’ve created a lovely home in their Sheffield terrace almost identical to the house Tricia and I shared with her cousin and boyfriend (bit of a squeeze). In the mid 70s

Then they kindly tidied me up a bit

Plus

They reflect something that MAnjula taught me. For a successful sustainable living relationship, to be present and attentive

Spot on.

Thanks guys for a great visit and my sorely needed trim.

Manjula would approve.

Memory Lane

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Part one with Julia and Tom

My tour of England led me to Sheffield, my home city.

Warm showers

I was visiting Julia and Tom intrepid cyclists who’d visited us last year, in Mysore, on their journey across Asia, through Europe and back home to England.

Warm showers is a network we’re part of where hosts offer an overnight stay to distance cyclists.

They now live in Sheffield the city of my birth and their new home is just round the corner from the first place I escaped to at age 18

That was fifty years ago. I lived with my first serious girlfriend Tricia who kindly supported me for the final few months of school

Stephen and Tricia with my mum’s poodle.

A great revisit. The house no longer exists but there was plenty of reminiscence.

Part two

A lovely couple.

I’m desperate Dan

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I seriously shouldn’t bother the busy MP with my issues. I’m not even a citizen. But I am close to desperate and it’s stressful!

So I give it a go.

… here’s a bit more of why?

Another great experience of India.

My 10.30am docs appointment hadn’t begun by 11.10 so I legged it to go see the Maharaja (he’s also the MP and I’d had a message inviting me just this morning) for 11.30

Of course it wasn’t exactly a timed appointment. It isn’t with a doc so it’s hardly likely to be with Royalty — now, is it?

We’re gathered in the outer office.

Groups and the odd individual — yes I’m the oddest — waiting to see the boss.

After 90 minutes he actually stops seeing visitors in the office and comes out, for it to become an orderly-free-for-all, we take it in turns to plead our case.

He agrees to write a letter to central govt.

Barat and I go post it.

More interesting insights into a Mysore Palace

Stephana Farrella

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I’m in an absolutely amazing institution.

It’s my week to be tested and my friendly neurologist in addition to the many tests she’s imposed, has suggested I get my hearing tested.

But of course whilst I’ve complemented the staff here on doing sterling jobs, it’s efficient and easy-going.

A challenge to create and maintain especially in a large institution of any kind.

I still can’t resist taking the piss.

Remember I’m here for a hearing test.

I’m in a waiting room at the audiology clinic at the institution.

Look at the photo.

We’re maybe 200 metres from the entrance door.

I’ve spent a week dropping drops in my ear and fresh from the ENT physician with a nifty, teeny vacuum cleaner to suck out the wax

Yes I’m in the audiology block waiting to have my hearing tested— that’s assuming I can hear security yelling out my name from the door 200 metres away .

This couldn’t be made up. It’s like a comedy skit.

So, precisely on time, the rain has started with its heavy patter on the ( temporary plastic) roof.

Yes the ‘hard of hearing’ might have a challenge to hear their name called out for the HEARING test.

But let’s be fair. In India everyone turning up at a clinic will have at least one member of the family with them to help out.

So I hope that when they call out the name for the lonely old Firangi (foreigner) to go for his test, they’ll put extra effort in to ensure he can hear it.

Maybe they’ll call

Stephana Farrella

But that for another time as it’s part of one of Manjula’s tales.

—

How come exactly one week ago I walked straight in to the doc, this week there’s tons of people.

BUT do not let my stupid desire to have a joke at everything camouflage the fact that it’s a great place and the staff who include students from Kerala and other states do a fantastic job.

It involves a lot of testing and not just the outer ear.

Well done team.

You’re a real credit.