Saturday, January 29, 2005
still more birthdays...
the wylie birthdays keep coming in a relentless surge at this time of year. happy birthday to nan carol - who'll no doubt be horrified to hear that we posted home all our jumpers today in anticipation of the temperature not falling below 30 degrees for the next 4 months.
substantially younger, but happy birthday also to harry russell. not entirely sure of the exact date but know that it is around now.
substantially younger, but happy birthday also to harry russell. not entirely sure of the exact date but know that it is around now.
Friday, January 28, 2005
i made it through the wilderness
somehow we made it through.
like a good film, india keeps on taking new, and better, twists and turns.
food. food. and more food.
2 days at an eco-farm in the middle of keralan nowhere.
thankfully this was one of those organic/eco type places that doesn't thrust the whole thing down your throat continually, making you feel like you've just walked in on a Friends of the Earth reunion. very low key and relaxing, with three great meals cooked for us everyday.
Jacob, the owner of The Pimenta, was the most hospitable guesthouse owner we've come across (with honourable mentions for Ranesh in Nawalgarth and Joesph in Alleppey). simple but interesting cooking demonstrations everynight. clearly it'll be south indian all the way at future middleton/wylie dinner parties. dosas for breakfast and bhindis for dinner.
his son, Apu, had the morning off school (the result of a late finish of 9pm the previous evening due to Indian Republic Day). he treated us (and jon and ruth, from colchester would you believe, it's a small world la la la) to a rather intense and prolonged tour of the farm. now we know how pepper grows, what insulin leaves taste like and how to fight flying caterpillars. ms love got top marks for identification of different herbs whilst pierre managed to survive all the chilli eating contests.
in moments when we weren't dancing round our private balcony to the ipod and mini speakers, we managed to fit in a visit to the local truck painting factory. and we were clearly far too afraid of the currents to swim in the river with the locals.
and all this from a place not even mentioned in the hallowed guide books. for once we went off piste and were highly rewarded.
why not come here for your winter holiday next year?
like a good film, india keeps on taking new, and better, twists and turns.
food. food. and more food.
2 days at an eco-farm in the middle of keralan nowhere.
thankfully this was one of those organic/eco type places that doesn't thrust the whole thing down your throat continually, making you feel like you've just walked in on a Friends of the Earth reunion. very low key and relaxing, with three great meals cooked for us everyday.
Jacob, the owner of The Pimenta, was the most hospitable guesthouse owner we've come across (with honourable mentions for Ranesh in Nawalgarth and Joesph in Alleppey). simple but interesting cooking demonstrations everynight. clearly it'll be south indian all the way at future middleton/wylie dinner parties. dosas for breakfast and bhindis for dinner.
his son, Apu, had the morning off school (the result of a late finish of 9pm the previous evening due to Indian Republic Day). he treated us (and jon and ruth, from colchester would you believe, it's a small world la la la) to a rather intense and prolonged tour of the farm. now we know how pepper grows, what insulin leaves taste like and how to fight flying caterpillars. ms love got top marks for identification of different herbs whilst pierre managed to survive all the chilli eating contests.
in moments when we weren't dancing round our private balcony to the ipod and mini speakers, we managed to fit in a visit to the local truck painting factory. and we were clearly far too afraid of the currents to swim in the river with the locals.
and all this from a place not even mentioned in the hallowed guide books. for once we went off piste and were highly rewarded.
why not come here for your winter holiday next year?
playing catch up...
....with the photos. these are from Kumily and Munnar. enjoy...
