Israel
Andrew had a two day work trip to Israel and he was rather impressed with what he saw. It was organised, clean and calm not the impression that you tend to get from news reports. After their business meetings there was a short time to visit the old historic city. In Jerusalem, he saw the Western 'Wailing' Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and many other things that he has not had time to read up on yet.
The narrow ancient alleyways inside the old city 
Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was said to be crucified and laid.
The 7.5 hours flight flight back to India flew over the Red Sea with some azure blue seas...
The Shower
The houses in Palm Meadows are about 25 years old and the shower system consists of a small 'immersion heater tank in each bathroom that you have to heat up individually. Mala and Arjun like to conserve energy and will switch them off, meaning that when we want a shower there is a small amount of heated water or none at all and you have to wait for it to heat up.
Even when we have remembered to switch it on there is still not a great deal of hot water. Having a shower means being very quick before it runs out. Washing my hair is a trial and I can't usually finish without the water being really cold. We do have a bath but this takes three rounds of heating up the water to get a decent depth of water.
I have now developed shower and bath envy as Andrew has started to take photos of the bathrooms in the hotels that he is staying in to gloat that he can have a decent shower without the water running out.
I am sure it will back fire on him soon!
The Science museum
We actually went to a museum where we ran out of time as it was so good! It was four floors and packed full of hands on activities, especially ones related to physics. We will be going back for another session when we can face the hour and a half journey each way and the dodgy toilets!
It cost 50 rupees each (about 60p) so it was rather good value.
Wright brothers' flight simulator 
Reverse vacuum thingy
Optical illusions
India has a big space programme and has sent astronauts to the space station. Max was trying the suit out for size.Football
Max tried his hardest to stay up and watch the England match that started at 11:30pm but didn't quite make it, bless him. This meant that he was awfully grumpy the next morning. Mala had to go in the food cupboard to stifle her giggles as he stomped around the house, yelling. I struggled to keep a straight face but managed it-just. Mala would emerge with a sullen look only to dissolve when he started shouting again over some trivial matter, like the electricity has gone off. Fortunately, he had recovered his lovely sunny self by lunch time. I was pleased the quarter finals and the finals were earlier and that we didn't have to repeat this again!
Max fell asleep about 12:30 am
Andrew and the boys went to the club house to watch the final and it was packed with the locals. There was a big screen next to the swimming pool and lots of seating in the open air . Luckily it didn't rain. The French expats were extremely excited at the final whistle and jumped fully clothed into the pool.
Milo's Birthday
On the cup final day it was Milo's 'real' birthday and he had a such a happy day. We went out to the Marriott hotel as he wanted a burger and chips which features as part of their A la Carte menu. Whilst he was waiting for his lunch, one of the chefs gave him some candy floss from their machine! Talk about being in heaven and spoiling your appetite!
The hotel also laid on a birthday ice-cream cake and everyone sang to Milo. The balloon maker was there for the Sunday Brunch in the hotel (which is very good ) and so both boys had twisted balloon shapes too.
Milo with the candy floss chef and his machine  |
Eating the candy floss before his meal!
Max concentrating on important things! |
| The band behind Milo are singing to him as well as the waiters. |
Arjun and his wife very kindly bought Milo an Indian outfit for his birthday. Milo was over the moon with it.
Rain
The monsoon rains are not as bad as I thought here in Bangalore but they are bad elsewhere. In fact, the reservoirs are now full in the State where we live, Karnataka. The local dam had to have water released and some people had to move out of their homes as water was fed into the rivers to supply other neighbouring States. Because Bangalore is quite high up (about 3000ft above sea level) then the monsoon is not as prevalent and thats why the climate is pleasant all year round.
It did rain heavily for a short while the other day but Arjun refused to come inside to eat his lunch and sat underneath a big brolly. We were at the swimming pool and also did not give in and sat underneath the sun lounger brollies whilst it rained. It is still about 28/29 degrees when it is raining /cloudy so it feels warm still.
Arjun sitting on a chair eating his lunch under the umbrella. His plate is on another chair.
At the pool. The boys were actually swimming in one of the top pools and out of view.
