And so the debate on the charms of Garkarn(a) rolls on. Is it a “helhole full of simpering, aging hippies” or a “tropical beach paradise”? Jul will have to cast the deciding vote if he ventures that way on his travels.

Am still punishing myself by forcing myself to stay in the hell which is Gokarna. Worst of all is body surfing in the sea – catching the waves like body boarding but just with my body and playing “dive and catch” while there is a gap in the waves. The beautiful secluded beach with the good food and 100r per night accomodation is very difficult to stomach too…

Am going to buy train ticket to Delhi if possible today and leave in about a week.

Having recently returned from India, I am much struck, on seeing myself and my wife in sundry mirrors, how we both look as if we have been painted with several coats of Ronseal.

Highlights of our visit:

Swimming off Palolem beach. Cycling through the back lanes of Benaulim. Crossing the ferry at Old Goa. Sipping hot lemon tea in Colva. Eating Tuna, chips and salad at George Ferandes. Spooning in papaya flesh at every opportunity.

Lowlights:

No gears on Indian bikes. No pomelos. Sunburn on first day. Gokarn.

On our way out, at Gatwick, in the early hours of the morning, there were only two flights besides ours, both to Madrid. One was full of disgruntled Real Madrid fans, who traipsed through the airport looking forlorn. The other was reserved for the players, all wearing identical suits, large knots in their ties, and pulling behind them the same sized suitcases on wheels. One weasel faced individual with blond hair and a half smile looked vaguely familiar. I only realised who it was when people started calling out, ‘Hey, David!’, snapping their cameras and asking him for his autograph, as he passed within a couple of feet of us.

Not much happening here at the homestead. the chickens lay about 4/5 eggs a day. sometimes one of the pesky speckled ones escapes, but usually leaps back in after a short chase.

The one thing Palolem has, apart from great swimming, etc, is deep shade from its many coconut trees. Agonda is much less crowded, but too hot. We went on a great cycle ride yesterday and stumbled across some lovely beaches but nothing can beat the luxury of deep shade, in my view, especially when that view is of the milk warm sea from a hut on stilts.

Actually, the hut on stilts seems to be inhabited by rats who ate my chocolate last night. Maybe time to move on.

We just watched India score too many runs in the Goan ODI. 

Don’t bother collecting us. We’ll get the last train or spend the night at Gatwick. 

Chillum is a foul clay pipe like thing which is used for smoking anything you can think of, but usualy ilegal substances.

I repeatedly tolf Dod and Mama that gokarn is a helhole full of simpering.aging hippies who have ‘found themselves’ (i.e dossing) and natives trying to ingratiate themselves and copy the hippies-all of then chanting ‘namaste’ form sun up to sun down.

The town was a pit of decrepitude and filth (though most town in india are dirty, it seemdd like nice dirt in ohter placed). the beach leading out of the town is also dirty and the sea not much to write home about-all in all a place to be avoided at all cost.

Palolem on the other hand is a haven of peace and tranquility with a crescent of golden sand and crystal blue sea-bliss.

Hope you enjot hampi-we did. though a little hot we enjoyed walking round the many miles of ruins and eating mangoes. Riner (a germand we were travelling with) swam in the river, but i wouldn’t recomment it!

Are the corracles still 10 rupees each? or did the bus drop you at the correct drop of pont!

Try out the mango cafe, under a huge mango tree by the river.

Aftre much debating the wedding has been planned for the 06/03/06 (sorry pinky-i know you have got the 18th april off-maybe keep that as a shopping day!) granny is possibly coming down to richards in the car and then getting driven over by richard (he has said he will find something to do as he doesn’t want to intrude but i’ve told granny he is welcome if he wants to come) and then back up, so she will come donw for the day, having visited rosemary on the way down. as to the others, bills is flying back from south america just for the pleasure of 10 mins in a reg. office!!!! and the rest of the gibbs clan will be charging down en mass (mostly staying at hotels due to the elderly contingency) i of course told granny she would be mroe that welcome to stay either with us or at the homestead but she feel she should come for the day.

I am going to have a dress made (hopefully by gill) to go over the expanding tum (non of mine fit) we will look in c&a fabric at the weekend.

Are you getting back on the friday night at 12am? if so then we can pick you up no probs.

Well, enjoy hampi-see you soon