Bring on the Cake.

The delicious cake complete with family.
Manjula’s Memory Tree decorated with hanging messages and wishes.

Not forgetting Lucie being spoilt by Ina.

And then again, not satisfied with one we had to have another.

This time following the theme of the radiant sun that Manjula brought into our lives and still appears exactly when it’s needed.

Ina worrying the sun is about to explode

Gathered today on Manjula’s bench, next to Manjula’s garden, eating Manjula’s radiantness cake and celebrating her wonderfulness on her 51st birthday celebrations that have already gone on for a week. we have Kaveri, Radhika, Maria, John, Ina, Lucie and Stephen.

Please note Ina is naughty, bribing Lucie for affections with cake.

Italian crazy hair accompanies us to deliver Kaveri back to school.

That’s after Mr No experience was coerced into decorating Kaveri’s palm

Next day

SB couldn’t miss out and had to have more cake….

Yes that’s two pieces. One was supposed to be for her son Naveen.

Happy Birthday.

I’m in the park to wish Manjula happy birthday and hang out with billet-Doux, butterflies (messengers from Madam) and too many mosquitoes!

Here’s the lovely video created by Faizan through which many old and new friends have met Manjula.

My ulterior motive on being here was to be security for the flowers and stop people stealing them.

I failed

But it can’t affect our celebration of her wonderfulness.

As I completed a video call to my son Oliver in Vancouver, —and realised I was due back to make breakfast—three sets of neighbours walking in the park saw Manjula’s poster and wanted to know her story. I’d never met them before a mom her son , another young woman and an elder.

We all shared smiles and joy.

Celebrating Manjula

We begin remembering Manjula on what would have been her 51st birthday.

Here are our current guests Ina— the stalwart— who has visited us at Mysore Bed and Breakfast, almost every year for at least a month (with a break during the pandemic) and John, also a ‘glutton for punishment’ as he’s a returner —who we haven’t yet scared away — Settling in and helping us plan our rememberances.

Vasanth, Sowbaghya and I visited the nursery to get birthday flowers for Manjula’s garden. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of Priyanka, the friendly young woman shopping there. She donated a plant, on hearing why we were there..

How cool is that?

John

made a lovely ‘short’ of our first stage. . 🤭🤪

Next …. SB arrives with the first of three, yes three cakes….

and the family hanging out in the park ….

Neighbours appreciating Manjula’s bench.

Blossoming

When will it fulfil its destiny?

The flower would appear each year at this time, carefully nurtured by MAnjula.

Eagerly anticipated, she’d predict what night it would blossom only to fold in on itself by the morning.

A short intense appearance not unlike MAnjula who dramatically changed my life.

The aroma even reaches into the house
I know I know the old git is an unwelcome distraction from the beautiful pair below…

It’s all no accident as she radiated the sun herself, through her smile, her presence every inch of her being. Two queens together.

Summer Camp four 2024

Just to ensure you got it….. the following activities have formed this year’s camp for Kaveri …

Swimming, skating, trying out new things…

and dropping into the summer camp organised by Manjesh of Chirayu Dance Institute here in Siddarthalayout.

That’s not to mention, watching movies, walking Lucie, visitors to Aroma for treats, pestering for one thing or another, especially screen time.

Making me a bracelet as last years is about to fall off.

Predominantly staying at Mysore Bed and Breakfast with auntie — sorry sister — Radhika, but what is the old git doing?

Apparently traditionally thanking the guests for joining the final celebration of Chirayu’s Summer Camp.

Visiting Leela vet hospital as Lucie, the old dear has developed a limp. Dodgy Joints? not to mention it’s too hot for her!!

Tomorrow is someone’s tenth birthday.

Summer Camp 2024 two

Our fun activities since returning to Mysore include:

Skating

Kaveri has progressed to new skates and uniform, again with the Elite Roller Skating Academy

Swimming

classes again at our local pool.

and a local dance centre has organised their very own summer camp.

With a day out

Merry Christmas

….

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.”