In the past week Kaveri has attended a market with children selling their artistic creations, meeting the rich mix of Mysore Bed and Breakfast guests, attended a classical (grand) piano concert, and today visited three child focused alternative schools we’re considering for next year.
She left people impressed with her articulate English, and friendly confidence.
What a star.
Obviously, I am so grateful because MAnjula and I found each other,.
But as highlighted in one of Oliver Jeffers wonderful books a little girl, in my case two help bring light and joy.
It’s my granddaughter Poppy who lives in London and my ‘adopted’ granddaughter Kaveri who lives in Mysore.
and how fab, that they are both into cycling.
I’ve found three great books to help discuss loss and grief with children.
This is my earlier attempt through a read out letter to my granddaughter Poppy.
My daughter in law Alice reading one of the books to Poppy.
The Grand Finale
It’s been a blissful mix of fun over five weeks. Well that’s my take on it anyway…
(Manjula’s perspective might become clearer after she’s settled back at home. I look forward to it! 😉 )
…. The last weekend was no exception, with time spent with Poppy (yes Ben and Alice did trust us to look after my granddaughter all on our own), dinner with Emma at Ben’s restaurant (carefully arranged so that he wasn’t actually working there …. doh!) 
and then on what was a our last public day a sunday ‘open house’ at our friend Angus and Gina’s in Brixton. 
If you weren’t there, we’re sorry to have missed you. It was a great event.
Manjula prepares for the final few days with a serious threading at some shop or other….
and we go down Oxford Street to meet Indian (yes, more Keralans’ sending money back home) and have one last double decker bus ride to take in the key attractions: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square… you name it, we’ve done it.
Saturday was reserved for bonding with the ‘pop’ (aka Poppy the granddaughter). we went to the park, swung on swings, bathed in the paddling pool and made friends.
I was also called upon to do other duties!
and the grand finale: ‘open house’ at Angus and Gina’s in Brixton to say our fond farewells to friends old and new, family and …. guests from that ..
.. Bed and Breakfast.
at the event, we realised that Gina, Frances, Laura and me (Stephen) first met at University exactly 40 years ago!! blimey! 😉
How is that possible?
All this activity just allowed for one more day for a build up of sadness, a last meal with Angus, Gina and Frances to pack and prepare for the big trip, back home.
So that’s Manjula’s first BIG Trip out of India, we’re now back in Mysore and while Manjula gets to grips with what jet-lag is and I wonder
what’s next?
well I don’t know about you but I’m keen for her to share her insights from what she’s seen, heard and experienced and maybe then we can start thinking about a few more adventures.
I wake alongside a babbling brook. It’s early and I can hear the trickling of the stream alongside my head. I quickly orientate myself. We must be camping although surely that’s planned for a few weeks later at the WOMAD festival.
It’s Poppy!
we’re staying at my eldest son and his partner Alice’s, who are my granddaughters mum and dad and therefore personal assistants.
Poppy has brought her potty to the living room alongside the futon (I.e. close to the floor) just to the side of my head to have her early morning pee 😉
So that’s me up, empty the potty, wash it out, welcome to Poppy’s world.
manjula manages to sneak a couple of extra hours sleep, her legs are aching after all the walking…..
by now Poppy is an animal! 😉
Me and MYCycle 