Diane and Duncan, School , Sari shopping, Max's birthday and the weather

Diane and Duncan

 Our friends came to stop for three weeks in July. We all had a wonderful time. They kindly brought us precious supplies of real Cadbury chocolate, cheerios (cereal) and tea bags. The Coles were so excited!

 We had a few days looking around around Bangalore with them

At the botanical gardens

Naughty monkeys by the bins

We often get Indian people who want a selfie with the boys . We managed three different ones this trip.

Diane and Duncan enjoyed the posh cinema.

Then Arjun arranged for a driver to take them on a road trip to see elephants, palaces, temples and forts for a week. They booked hotels that were comfortable and clean. Then we recommended that they go and stop at the elephant camp that we had visited. We had had a quick look at the lodges by the river when we were there and thought it may be a good idea.

They booked a night there with a private tour in the forest and a session washing the elephants. Little did we realise that because of the monsoon the water level had risen and life jackets were required to cross the river in the boat as the water was moving very quickly. Then they were told that the power goes off at 9pm! So they had to ask for torches! Added to that, they were the only ones there for the night so they had to go to the screening of a film about the conservation of tigers as they couldn't escape the attention of the guides. The next day they went to wash the elephants and had to stand in thick mud that swamped their shoes. But even so, they had a great time.

We had a board games night which was fun.

We, of course, spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool when they came back and we went on a few more outings. 

 When the boys went back to school,Diane  decided that she would like to go shopping. Arjun recommended a new Indian clothes shop as Diane needed a blouse to match her new sari. Mala was determined that we shouldn't pay too much for a blouse and decided to come with us. Arjun came in too thinking we would stop at one item and then leave. 

We were in that one shop for an hour and a half. There were so many Indian and western clothes at daft prices and there were so many different styles and colours that we didn't know where to start (or stop) and we just wandered without any plan or purpose. 

Mala managed to squeeze in the changing room with Diane to supervise with the correct wearing of the salwars and kurtas etc. There was a lot of giggling and it was because Mala was taking selfies of them both in the outfits! 

Meanwhile Arjun was with me, patiently waiting. After much deliberation, Diane decided on the things she would like and Arjun happily set off towards the exit, only for us to say that we would do a final circuit just to make sure we hadn't missed any bargains. He smiled at us through gritted teeth and took a deep breath. 

He managed to get us out of the shop and was pleased to see Duncan who had wisely sat on a comfy chair downstairs.

The next following three days were spent in a similar manner in various shopping centres , shoe and gift shops.  We decided that we needed a plan instead of wandering around in circles. It really was a shopping marathon. Duncan stayed at the house but Arjun came with us. I think he has the patience of a saint !

The first (expensive) sari shop.

The big cheaper shop 

Max's Birthday

While they were here, Max turned 12. He got some impressive nerf guns and spent the morning machine gunning at targets and his brother. Arjun bought him a beautiful Indian outfit similar to Milo's and he was really chuffed with it. We all went out for a lovely meal at lunchtime but his whole day had the looming shadow of the fact that school would start the next day. He was pleased though when Sheetal came round with a birthday cake that she had made for him. It was really lovely.

Opening presents.

Max used to be too big for this tiny baby grow.

Some friends were in the restaurant above us and took this photo .

Max decided to have a sip of beer (he wasn't too keen!)

Both boys in their Indian outfits.

Max had his party the following week at the local climbing centre and afterwards we came back to the house for pizza ( take away ) and chocolate cakes that Mala had made. He had a great time with all his friends ( pre- teens !!) 

Diane and Duncan had left the night before and so missed all the noise and mayhem.

The weather 

The weather is cloudier but still warm. There have been a few days with rain or drizzle but only for a short time. Further to the west in Kerala, the rain has been intense and there has been loss of life and flooding but Bangalore doesn't seem to get the extreme rain like some places do. The boys say it is easier being at school when it is slightly cooler. 

Israel, The Shower, Science museum, Football, Birthday (again!), Rain

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.

Elephants, Air museum, Planetarium, Goa.

Elephants

A while back we went to the local safari park and it stated that the animals were free to come and go in the forest as they pleased. There were also caged areas for injured animals, cubs and endangered animals. The wild animals were near the caged ones so we doubted that the claims were true. But then this week a funny story emerged. The elephants are left in the forest overnight by the mahoots to graze. On Tuesdays the safari/zoo is closed so the elephants have been coming out of the forest early in the morning and harassing the local shopkeepers. They surround the local shops and steal coconuts, bananas and any fruit or food they can get their trunks on. They then run away as fast as they can. They also look like they are laughing at their heinous act by raising their trunks. It was all captured on camera and it was on the local news. So it seems they are truly wild and know when they are on to good thing.

The elephants laughing as they run away.

Air Museum

We went to the air museum last week and it was an oasis of calm and tranquility. The gardens were well kept and it was dust free. No rubbish too. There were some old planes on display, a simulator of a plane and lots of information. It kept the boys entertained for a few hours. It is opposite the military airport ( a bit like Conningsby) and we saw some helicopters land and take off.

Planetarium

We also went to the planetarium with our friends. That turned out to be a rather a trek with a stop/start journey of 2 hours for a short distance into the city. Once there our 5 ran like wild animals that had been released!

 There was a wonderful film show about the sky and planets with reclining seats so that you looked up to watch the film. Outside there was a park with physics activities for the children to do and discover. One was a satellite dish that you spoke into and if someone went to the other satellite dish on the opposite side of the park you could hold a very clear conversation. There were several Indian school parties there who were delighted to talk to us. The youngest group of children were 7/8 years old and when it was lunch time they sat down for nearly and hour without moving. They were so well behaved.

Unfortunately, there was not a cafe. Luckily I had taken a few snacks, carrots, fruit etc and we had to contend with this until we got back at 3. They managed to survive the journey without dying of hunger!

A cow relaxing by the roadside - we needed entertainment on the journey.

Goa

Meanwhile, Andrew went on his own to Goa for a conference of sorts for two days. We decided not to go with him because Goa in the monsoon can be really wet and it was. There was heavy rain and the sea was rough. We had lovely weather in Bangalore so we were pleased we stayed here as we would have been marooned in a hotel instead of doing all of our activities .

May and June catch up blog

The weather

The weather changes very suddenly when the monsoon arrives.

One week it was boiling hot and difficult to sleep at night, then the next it is windy, cloudy and there are odd rain showers (but not lots of rain like I thought). When it rains, the wind increases and it cools down, we have even considered putting on a jumper (although not done it.)

The temperature is now about 27-30 degrees in the day, still very sunny but cloudier, and down to 21 at night- so still not too bad! It means we can sleep without all the noise of the fans and air conditioning. It's much cheaper not running A/C too! 

The only problem is that the mosquitoes have changed and when they bite it really hurts so we have now put mosquito nets on the bed.  There's not as many mosquitoes but they are not pleasant. 

Cinema

We've been twice now to the luxurious cinema with reclining seats. There is a butler service so you don't have to move from your comfortable position if you want food and drinks and they provide a lovely fluffy blanket if the air conditioning is too cold. The most amusing part is that you have to stand for the Indian national anthem which is quite jaunty and lively and Max and Milo can sing along to it.

School's out

The boys finished school on the 7th June. Milo gave a speech at school to the parents about what they had been doing. He has acquired an Indian accent when talking at school so it was quite funny listening to him. Also both of our boys have now developed the head wobble so when questioned we don't know if they are saying yes or no!

Vespa

We have a new toy, a vespa. It means we can zip around Palm Meadows more quickly especially if it is raining. We can also take the boys places and fetch them when they don't have their bikes. I am still a bit wobbly but I have never ridden a motorbike before. Andrew has and he is the favourite for giving a lift to the boys. Milo trusts me but Max just laughs nervously if I offer him a lift. It will be a while before I go out on the big roads.

Milo's birthday party

Milo has had his birthday party a month early because a lot of people here go back to Europe for the summer. He had a Chewbacca cake and was so happy with it. It was also our wedding anniversary. 

lego competition with the party people

Milo

We have discovered a new way of getting Milo to help. You write your drinks order on a piece of paper and he will float across and place the order with the waiter. He's very handy. Max has turned into Kevin the teenager and lies on the sun lounger in the shade being grumpy. The good thing is that when he eventually moves, we can always spot him because he is as white as a snow man and shines brightly in the distance.

 Max on the front row shining brightly.

Mangoes

All the mangoes have now been picked but I won't be Mala's catching partner again! As Arjun wobbled up on the ladder, he threw down the mangoes. Mala and I formed a fireman's blanket using a cloth bag to catch them, but every time one was thrown down, she laughed and dropped her side of the bag and the mango rolled off down the road. She was useless. I ended up just catching them on my own. We had about 70 mangoes, maybe more. They were lovely and shared them with as many people as we could and, of course, Mala and Arjun. Unfortunately, we were too late to make pickle as they need to be firmer to do that.

School Holidays

Max and Milo are really busy playing with the friends that have stayed behind and as yet ( 3 weeks ) there is no sign of boredom. We go to the pool each day, play badminton, pool, pingpong, tennis and go to the play park. We have walked along the pavement in the outside world too, although that takes a long time because people keep stopping them to ask where they come from. We go with an American family who have boys the same age as ours as well as a daughter who is 6. They get on really well. 

Pampered people

Today we ventured outside to walk to the ice-cream parlour. I said to Arjun before we left that we would walk but may need a lift back (because it's about 25 minutes and Sophia is young and gets a bit overwhelmed with the traffic etc).

So we set off and went down the road in all the noise and dust. The four boys walked ahead looking in all the shops and we trailed behind looking in all the shops.

We had ice-cream which was lovely and then decided that we would ask Arjun to come. I phoned him and he said," I am already here!" 

I looked out of the shop window and there he was already parked outside waving at me. It had started to rain so he decided to come and fetch us all. 

We really are pampered and spoilt!