Updates from India: 2015

Monday 30 November 2015

Chris and Kris in India 41

Well another month has flown by, suddenly it’s gone!

But what an interesting month it has been.

Comment.

Jeep progress.

Work

NGO
Sad news from the UK.

Garden

Bleu

Panawar
Comments from Kris

Comment.

For many centuries Malaria has been a killer. I know, it very nearly killed me so I have a personal interest here!

Malaria flourishes in warm, tropical climates and disproportionately impacts poor countries. Thirty-five countries (30 in sub-Saharan Africa and 5 in Asia) account for 98% of global malaria deaths. In Africa, malaria is the second leading cause of death from infectious disease, after HIV/ AIDS.
Malaria is spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes infected with a parasite called Plasmodium, which in many parts of the world has developed resistance to malaria medicine. In humans, the parasite multiplies in the liver and infects red blood cells, which can disrupt blood flow to vital organs. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after a mosquito bite and include fever, headache, chills and vomiting. These symptoms often get ignored or misdiagnosed; if left untreated, malaria can quickly become fatal.

Today 26/11/2015.

The Times of India carried the following on its front page.

Mutant Mosquitoes to battle Malaria

Nicholas Wade The Times of India 26^th November 2015.

“In a basement on the Irvine campus of the University of California, behind a series of five protective doors, two teams of biologists have created a novel breed of mosquito that they hope will help eradicate malaria from the world.

The mosquito has been engineered to carry two ingenious genetic modifications. One is a set of genes that spew out antibodies to the malarial parasite harboured by the mosquito. Mosquitoes with these genes are rendered resistant in the parasite and so cannot spread malaria.

The other modification is a set of genetic elements known as a gene drive that should propel the malaria-resistance genes throughout a natural mosquito population. When a malaria-resistant male mosquito mates with a wild female, the gene drive copies both itself and the resistance genes over from the mala chromosome to its female counterpart.

Because almost all the progeny carry the new genes, instead of just 50% as would be expected by Mendel’s laws of genetics, the inserted genes are expected to spread rapidly and take over a wild population in as few as 10 generations, or a single season. Malaria which kills almost 6,00,000 people a year.

The anti-malarial antibody genes were developed by a group led by Anthony A. James of the University of California, Irvine and the gene drive by Valentino M. Gantz and Ethan Bier if the University of California, San Diego.

Kevin Esvelt, an expert on the gene drive technique at Harvard, said “he was delighted with the work of the two teams, “We have a wonderful chance of knocking down malaria and dengue fever and other diseases. The teams have been so hats off to Tony James who has been developing these techniques for 15 years”, he said. The two teams came together after Dr Gantz and Dr Bier developed a gene drive for the Drosophila fruit fly, a standard laboratory organism, to help identify genetically mutant insects. Finding their gene drive was far more efficient than expected, driving its cargo genes into almost all the fruit fly progeny, the researchers realised they had created not just a handy laboratory tool but a powerful technique for spreading favoured genes through wild populations.

Now the teams Dr James, Dr Gantz and Dr Bier plan to refine the mosquito’s genetics and conduct trials in cages. They hope that eventually scientists in some country where malaria is endemic will invite them to conduct a field trial and will monitor it carefully to make sure there are no adverse effects, even though it’s hard to see any ecological downside to protecting the mosquitoes against the malarial parasite”. NYT NEWS SERVICE

This could be the beginning of the end for Malaria. I will be following this research and praying it works as well in the field as it seems to in the laboratory.

Jeep.

This project means so much to us, at last we can move to rural areas and take our work to the very isolated rural community when it is finished. This has been part of our dream since coming here to follow the path given us by God.

We are confident of the engine although we will change all oils and filters. The same can be said of the gearbox. Not so sure about the clutch yet though. Its cable and rod operated all of which I have to check, it is not hydraulic so it ‘feels’ completely different to use,

The back differential has an oil leak (at least that proves there is oil in there!) that we will cure and replace the old oil.

The electrics are still a nightmare but most systems now work.

As you can see we have also been repairing the body. I have been working on repairing the holes, removing strange extra bolted on brackets for purposes long since lost.

The jeep has been updated to some degree and we intend to follow that principle updating as we can.

Its built like a WW11 Russian tank, there is more metal girders under that floor than you can find on some small bridges He He.

Kris has been diligently de-rusting the floors, fittings and such inside and painting it. She has done a great job it really looks better and she made a great job of the floors. We are going to buy a couple of cheap mats for the front floor.

We hope to have it finished for January 2016. We are saving a lot of money by doing the work ourselves but there are still parts to buy and on our limited budget we will buy what we can as we can.

Work

We are now well into the semester with our new first years and are enjoying immensely our teaching with them. The second year that we taught as first year students are also fun to work with as they now know us and enjoy our sessions, they have also learned that we don’t take excuses for not having put in the required work.

This it appears to have come as a surprise to some students used to the lax attendance regime of some schools. Continues extensions of the submission date being a common failing, ok, if there is a good reason then fair enough, but just not attending or working will earn a fail. This is something they have to learn Semester one, year one! If you want to succeed you have to attend and work.

One thing has marked this month as both a huge vote of confidence from our college and a massive responsibility for us. Our two students (5^th year) final dissertations that we were asked to guide them with.

Now as I sit writing this I know what a cracking good job they have both done, but it has been hard on all four of us. As we only work two days a week we decided that it would be best to set up a dissertation group on whatsapp so that they could contact us at any time with problems. My own guide at Uni did the same but in those days it was by e-mail.

To anyone out there who has done this you understand how it feels, all I can really say is you become involved with the student far more than a normal Lecturer / student relationship. Pushing, cajoling, encouraging. Those two girls have worked so hard; both have come every week to our home for review and crit, we decided to do it this way as we would not have the time to properly guide them during our normal working hours.They have even worked through one of India’s biggest festivals to finish on time. Not only did they succeed but they did it with one day to spare including binding.

Kris and I will very happily present their work to the dissertation coordinator for final checking tomorrow. Any slight corrections will then be addressed.

Final printing session

NGO

This time of year frustrates Kris and me to death. Everything stops for wedding season. With the extensive Indian families it feels to us as though everyone is going to weddings. Work for the NGO just…pauses, nobody has time it seems, part of the reason we want the jeep on the road as soon as we can.

So far we have three wedding invitations, just imagine how many an Indian with an extended family will have. Some of our friends have one (sometimes two) each week until January!

Kris keeps getting hit with ‘later, after the wedding season’ from prospective venues for Breast cancer seminars.

It strikes us as a great pity that the poor and needy aren’t (in general) thought more of at this time of so many celebrations and vast sums of money being spent.

I know we now live in a different country, a new home, and yes we have to respect our new culture but we still want to follow the path given us.

The jeep will give us that.

There is now a charity running a ‘collect food uneaten from weddings ‘and then giving it directly to the needy, isn’t that a great idea.

Sad News from the UK.

Sadly we heard today that a young girl in the UK has because of her steadfast faith received some very abusive and insulting comments from another Facebook ‘friend’.

So often as a teacher I hear this about, looks, weight, faith, ex boyfriends……the list goes on. Cyber bullying or writing insults to another person is not acceptable.
In some cases children have committed suicide because of such comments. If anyone chooses to do such a thing to you, the answer is simple, don’t debate or argue just unfriend them. In the real world would you want to know people that behave to you in this way?

Your particular beliefs don’t matter, your faith doesn’t matter, by all means express your beliefs, discuss your faith if you wish, and in turn expect debate, expect people to have their own points of view, but to abuse or insult someone on a public forum is wrong in any context.

I offer this advice above to all, consider your ‘friends’ on these forums carefully.

To Christians who are having such problems I urge them to follow Ephesians 6:15-18. This below is taken from:

Phillips New Testament

“In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women”.

Garden

We are beginning to reap the benefits of our hard work, crops are growing well, and the new rose plants have taken well and are growing strongly.

Sadly we lost sooty one of our hens. She appeared to improve but then just died. On the chicken front we will be getting another six to bring our flock to eight after mid-winter as the days start to warm. We are also learning how to use local fruits that are growing in our garden.

Bleu.

She is really growing now that she has got over her initial poor start in life. Yesterday (28^th) the vet called to give her more inoculations and to weigh her….3.2Kg. At this stage she just wants to chew everything, our lawn is covered with sticks and assorted toys, some intentional some not so. She has a fascination for plastic bottles and the garden hose which now has several little tooth sized holes in it!

Panawar

We had the pleasure of seeing Pastor Joseph and his family here the other day. As most of you know Joseph is connected to Panawar very closely.

We wanted to talk to him about what we could do for the boys, in particular teaching.

So to cut a long story short starting in January assuming the jeep is finished we will be spending one weekend a month at Panawar hostel teaching English on Saturday PM not only to the boys but also to anyone else who wants to come…….oh what have we done. No matter what it will be fun and they will gain another skill that may help them in life.

It is 150Km away so about three hours each way. Because of this we will stay overnight and worship with the boys on Sunday AM then return home. Of course Bleu will come with us, so heaven only knows how this will all work out, but that is what makes life interesting isn’t it.

Comments from Kris

YUK

A local spider, body size about 10mm.

This month as you can see has been very hectic and busy.

This month we attended a friend’s wedding, as I was in pain from the change in the weather, there was one of the evenings we could not attend. The evening of music and dance was really interesting, and had Chris not hurt his foot and knee last month we would have been part of the show. Mr and Mrs Gandhi, my Raki brothers parents did a beautiful dance which they had wanted Chris and me to be part of, but alas we had to decline. We then attended another evening reception which was the final evening. Chris wore his Kurta pyjamas and jacket and looked amazing.

Some of the riders we had met at Bangalore were on a long ride and stayed overnight in Udaipur so we met up with them and partied the night before they set off to ride to Mumbai, then onto Goa and then ride back to their homes in Bangalore. It was great to spend time with them.

It is also a sad time as our maid now has a full time job at the local resort which means she gets a better income, so we are losing her. We have engaged our friend’s maid to come Monday to Saturday afternoons; this will be interesting as she only speaks Hindi. I am going to have to have my dictionary and translator app on my phone handy to help me. She is an older lady but very nice we have known her since moving to the Colony. We will still keep in touch with Amber Bai and keep up to date about how her children are doing.

As I said above I have been in a little pain with my joints due to the change in the climate, it is now getting colder especially in the evenings. So out of the cupboard comes the jumpers and duvets for the bed, previously it was so warm we just used sheets. However even though its colder it is still much warmer than UK winters, we are just becoming acclimatized, our first year here we wore t shirts in the winter, now we need jumpers and coats.

Diwali is the festival of lights, the struggle of good over evil, and is celebrated widely in India, it is one of my favourite festivals, but Holi, the festival of colours remains my favourite. We had a quiet Diwali, but did light some fire crackers and they certainly make a load bang. It reminds me of Fireworks Night in the UK, but without the bonfires, guys and baked potatoes.

We plan to have a barbeque in our garden which will not only keep us warm in winter but be great to cook on. I feel a barbeque party coming on soon, when time and money allow that is.

It is really encouraging to see students working hard and achieving their goals. We currently teach first and second years and as Chris said we were guides for two of the final year’s dissertation. I don’t think they realised when we were assigned to them how hard we would make them work. They have done us proud, they worked hard, did their own research as well as gathering data from other sources. One of the students surveyed 600 women in respect of Breast Cancer Awareness and Self Breast Examination, what an achievement. Although she was very apprehensive before the first survey of 300 women, she really enjoyed it and came back buzzing, ready for the next 300 women to survey. The other student surveyed the slum areas of Udaipur and went on a research trip to Ahmedabad to see a project the government were involved in to improve the slums in that region, great work experience for her.

I am learning so much from Chris about teaching, I have a slightly different style to him but I find myself incorporating a lot of what he does and it really works. I know the teachers among you will recognise this but I get so emotionally drained and physically tired after a day’s teaching, and yes we do a lot of preparation work before and after classes.

I am still learning new Indian recipes, and so far I have not poisoned Chris or any of our friends. My roti’s are improving, and I have learnt how to make Paratha, and they are pretty yummy. (It is a roti with filling; I use potatoes, onion, tomato, capsicum and other vegetables that are available) Even Bleu likes my paratha’s which is amazing as she doesn’t like everything I cook, although there isn’t much she won’t eat being a street dog. I plan to extend my local Indian recipes further, but I am looking forward to a traditional English Christmas Dinner with Chicken as Turkey is difficult to get here.

I don’t often ask you do anything but please at Christmas do something for all those people who have less than you, most don’t choose to be poor, please help if you can.

Well that is all from me for now until the next blog.

Wishing you all throughout the world a lovely Christmas,

God Bless you all,

Chris and Kris in India

Monday 2 November 2015

Chris and Kris in India 40

This Month. And WOW what a month.

Comment

Road Trip

An addition to the family

Wheels at last

Comments from Kris

I was going to write something completely different to this, until last night.

It was dark; the moon was just rising full and bright. I looked up at the stars in wonder. The constellations were in the wrong place, and then I remembered I was a quarter of the way around the world looking at our sky here in India. At that moment all the things God has done for Kris and I just came into focus. Why then I don’t know, maybe God was reminding me.

I grieve inside for all the hate and prejudice in this world, when you look at even a small part of God’s creation as I did you see some of the wonder of it. Why must man hate man for his colour, his beliefs, and his ancestry? God made us all. He is the creator and maintainer of all things, and we as the human race dishonour ourselves and God by this hateful behaviour. To kill another because his beliefs are different to yours is simply put a sin against man and God. But when whole groups attack each other over faith it sickens me. Jesus said: “Love thy neighbour as yourself” where is that love from man to man? Society in some countries has degenerated to the point where if you are of a different faith to the perceived true faith it is not safe to go into some towns at night for fear of assault or worse.

People starve while others grow fat. Adulterers walk freely among us, rapists, paedophiles, killers all are allowed to prey on society because society doesn’t care enough to end it. Or maybe the political will isn’t there? Whatever the reason this isn’t a world to be proud of and honour God with as it should be.

Why should man’s law supersede God’s law? “Hey God we can do just about anything now, it’s legal!” (Or ignored).

There is only one right way in this world and it is through God’s love that we exist.

Kris and I could live very well here on our pension, instead we choose to use all we can to help our fellow man, we may not be rich but we are happy to be His servants.

We are not special, we are just two ordinary people who fervently believe in the Love of God and try to live by his commandments, and the truth Jesus gave us.

One final word: You and this world don’t have to be like this. We, all of us, make it this way by choice, by inaction, by turning a blind eye to what is happening, how we act and how we treat our neighbour, one day we will all answer for our choices.

Give yourself the chance to feel His love before it is too late. You are never too old to be forgiven, I know, I was 54 before His love and my baptism in the name Of Jesus changed me forever. As I said we are not rich, but we are very happy in His love. So why not join us in our joy? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, His love is like nothing you have ever felt before, it fills that empty space you feel inside yourself with light. It changes you in ways I cannot describe. You truly do become ‘Born again’ as a new person, sins forgiven and have a whole new life ahead of you.

Think about it.

God Bless you all.

Road trip 2015

This the first holiday Kris and I have had since we came to India (we don't count our return to UK for renewal of visas). A total of 14 days that included :buses, planes, cars and of course the Bullet. It was too far in the time we had to ride from Udaipur to Bangalore so I shipped it to Bangalore and then back home again from there.

This was to go to the Bulletiapa the annual meet of all chapters of the IBRMC (our motor cycle club). This is held in different chapters region each year and is becoming a huge event. It started with our chapter when we hosted the ‘Desert Meet’ here in Udaipur, the year after Mumbai and now Bangalore. Kris and I have so far been to all of them. Next year it is Delhi's turn.

Members of the Delhi chapter get ‘Iron Butt of the year award’ from me and huge respect. They rode 2,286Km in three days to get there, calling in for breakfast with the Udaipur chapter at the resort where Desert Meet was first held. Please remember when you read this. No three lane highways here, cows on the road, pot holes and mad lorry drivers, huge achievement guys.

Ahmedabad airport, after our journey
from Udaipur on a sleeper coach

Getting excited, were off to a party then
an adventurous holiday on the bullet

A really nice Family Ashish, Ekta and their two boys, we stayed with them before the party weekend Hosted by Bangalore chapter of IBRMC of which we are Udaipur Chapter members. Again when we returned to Bangalore 2000 Kilometres later. Ashish, even received my bike from the shippers going and then watched over it, then he helped with shipping it back home. Nice one Bro. We had a really good time with them, they treated us like friends from the moment we got there. As you may have already guessed they have a room here anytime.

Exta in a rare moment of relaxation
she worked very hard with the other
ladies to make the event a family affair.

Ashish did lots of work behind the scenes for
the event, looked after us and also took
mega amounts of photos and videos.

Ekta, Ashish and their youngest boy

Such a warm welcoming family full of fun

Exta, Ashish and their oldest boy, he wants
to be a doctor.

Bangalore chapter getting together to ride
to the venue at Elim Resort.

After the party weekend that included silly games, off road time trial, kids fashion show and the best band IBRMC has, oh, and Kingfisher Blue at Rs40 a can. A very good time was had by all at what now is becoming a ‘family’ event. We stayed an extra night to visit Mysore.

Just a glimpse of the party and rock band,
Chris and I even danced at the front
it was huge fun, adults, kids joined in too

Rocking away the night fabulous

the photos don't show the energy, fun
and excitement had by all but not a lot of sleep

These guys in the Rock band practiced
together for many weeks to get it right.
They were very very good, should be on
You Tube at the least

One of the activities held throughout the event
Time trials

Riders take this very seriously and are
very competitive but all encourage each other

A brief moment between events, Yes Chris
has a smart phone at last, it came in very
useful for navigating the South of India

Just a few of the guys enjoying the events

Slow race with a difference, they had to use
their bikes to move the water container
in a straight line to the finish, not as easy as
it sounds.

Here and below are just a few shots of the
kids doing their fashion show even the
youngest took part, they all got a gift at the end

I got a gift too a beautiful Bangalore shawl
and a handbag as a prize from one of the silly
games. The guys had to beautify there wives
hair with coloured straws.

Here and below just a few photos to give a
flavour of the event

Yes we made it, just
waiting for the other
chapters to arrive so
we could ride into
resort in style

Sad to be leaving

Elim resort Bangalore, nice venue, pleasant
helpful staff, I would visit again

Felt sorry for other guests when they saw a few
hundred bikers and their families arrive, but
they soon realised we were friendly and fun
to be around, met some nice people.

Mysore

We decided to stay one more day at Elim Resort before touring the South of India, and rode to Mysore and back, amazing ride and beautiful city, but not enough time to explore fully. Mysore also produces really good coffee "Mysore Royale". We visited the Palace and have a few photos to share with you of our experience.

We were late returning and as we went over a speed breaker (sleeping policeman, hump in road) we caught a lose bit of rubble very slowly. The front wheel washed out (slid sideways) and we ended up in a roadside bush! Kris was fine; we both ride with full body armour so no worries. One snag however, my foot got trapped as the bike fell and I ended up with a Broken bone in my foot and a twisted knee….oops. Local villagers all came to lift the bike off me and get me to my feet. I’m on my back in a bit of pain and suddenly the bike was gone and a forest of hands appeared and literally lifted me up. Ironically we were just about 50 metres from Elim Resort when it happened.

We both thought ‘that’s it’ I couldn’t walk on it so I was quite worried about if we had to cancel the trip.

Kris did her nurse mode and confirmed one broken bone and a twisted knee; she strapped both and got me some pain killers from the bar (several times). Needless to say after several of these supply runs I slept like a log!

By morning I could hardly walk but I could walk! If I can walk I can ride…..yeeehaw. Luckily I always ride in high ankle boots so they were as good as any cast. For the bikers out there…….heal on the rear brake and a good dive of the forks on the front brake was the usual stopping method. Holding the bike complete with Kris and fully laden was a bit difficult when we stopped but I managed. At least we didn’t fall off again Ha Ha Ha.

So suitable bandaged we set off. Before going though we had one more call to pay. We rode just down the road to the local village to thank them for the help last night.
In India it is the duty of everyone to help another if they can so we knew it would be wrong to offer anything as thanks to the adults, but children are a different matter.
As is common in villages there was a small shop selling a little of what was needed for daily life and a few luxuries. So we bought a jar full of sweets (shop man happy) and gave it to an obvious grandmother of standing in the village, through Hindi, body language and a bit of translation we got across to her that the sweets were for the village children, two a day each.
She was adamant that she would dole out the sweets daily herself and thanked us for our gift to the children and our appreciation of their help. With waves and shouts we left and began the next stage across to Mangalore.

Then from Mangalore and up the coast. The coast road is a joy to ride, a good surface and with the sea on one side and forests on the other, at times it was simply stunning. This was an easy first day but a long one and we were looking forward to stopping.

Just some of the spectacular scenery most of
these were taken by me (Kris) as I was
riding pillion. Have you ever tried taking
photos whilst riding its not so easy.

Its a selfie of us just having a breather before
setting off on the road again.

Sea for as far as you can see!

Red Rock Residency Resort

We found a resort (Hotel with pool, gardens and restaurant best describe what are known here as resorts) called Red Rock Residency, fantastic little resort. It had all you could want: great rooms, air con, a pool and a most excellent restaurant serving cold beer and the best fish we have had since Albania on our Honeymoon. 50 yards (convert if you must to metric!)Down a small road we saw the beach………it went forever in both directions and only the locals use it.

Such a clean beach and magnificent waves

Oops getting a little wetter than
anticipated

Just couldn't resist the sea

Our faithful Bullet, got us there and back safely

I had to go plodging in the sea too
This is me just coming out of the sea
I went in and out several times

Beach for miles in each direction, so clean with
amazing waves

That night after an awesome dinner of local fish we sat on the beach watching the sun go down. Waves crashing ashore glowing in the setting sun, drinking cold beer, alone in that entire beach, dead romantic.

Inside view of one of the rooms at Red Rock
Residency, this is the living area, and out of
site is a small kitchen area and fridge

attached to living room is the bedroom with
en suite facilities, very clean and comfortable
Would recommend this place to everyone

The next morning up and away to Goa.

Again a really good ride, lots of road works where the road is being widened into a highway so it future years it will really be a beautiful coastal ride.

We arrived at a resort in Southern Goa a friend had recommended in the evening. Lovely resort but overpriced with very touristy food, served in limited portions from a buffet. And poorer quality rooms than Red Rock Residency.

It also felt claustrophobic with all the security cameras, and guards walking about day and night. Good I suppose for families to know they are watched but we didn’t feel comfortable, and as I said the food was for tourists. There were even signs warning visitors that eating outside of the resort was not advised due to poor hyena of the local food vendors!!! Oh and if you happen to be a smoker the whole site including the beach is no smoking! Given the choice for a romantic weekend Red Rock is a clear winner for us.

Views from our balcony access to the beach and
resort facilities, a little more secluded inlet
than Red Rock beach but lacked the magic for us.Mind you
it is great if you are into water sports.

The next morning we turned South to retrace our path on the coast road until we turned off onto highway 63 to ride through one of the biggest forests in the South 37Km, and bend after bend after hairpin after bend going up and then coming down. In all nearly 8oKm then across until we cut of onto little tiny dirt roads through villages that maybe had 20 houses.

Below is a selection of photos taken mainly by Kris from the pillion seat of the Bullet, you really had to be there to appreciate all the twists and turns in the road.

We stopped for chai along the
road and Chris gave the local
kids a day never to forget, sitting
on a Royal Enfield Bullet, many
dream of one day owning one, but
few of them will ever achieve
their dream. Their smiles were
worth more than money any day

Saw some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever seen, different crops, in fact a completely different life style to our desert Rajasthan. On the forest run day we did 440Km to reach the NH4 where we stayed overnight in Haveri at a local hotel a flea pit, no shower, no nothing but a big bolt on the door. As it was it was ok, dirty but after 440Km and most of it hard work I especially with my foot and knee paining would have slept on the road! A long days ride.

Then off down the NH4 to Bangalore on the main highway cruising at 100Kph and back to our friends Ashish and Ekta “2230Km in eight days and one of the best rides I have had here. We stayed for another day my bike was shipped back home and Ashish and Ekta took us to the airport to catch our 5am flight to Amedabad.

At this point I have to say a huge thanks Bro,s to Bangalore IBRMC who not only put on a great event but added us to their whatsapp group with the promise of help if we needed it while we were in their area. That’s like having the best recovery group and the best on the road aid put together !

Gandhi Ashram Museum

The plan was then to catch a bus (Coach) across to Udaipur. Our flight from Bangalore arrived in Ahmedabad 9am, our bus didn’t leave until 3pm so we had a day to go and see a museum The Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad about Ghandi and the fight for independence. Gandhi actually lived at Ashram. We found it fascinating; we have never before been exposed to the Indian point of view at the time. To read about it is one thing but to be on the spot where Gandhi stayed before his famous walk to the sea to make salt,
To see original the press cuttings both Indian and British was enlightening. It is a place of contemplation, education and in a way a shrine to one of this country’s greatest men. We walked around the grounds (slowly!) until we reached the river that runs behind it, so calm with a sense of quiet peace that pervades the whole place.

Many groups of schoolchildren on their visit
to Gandhi Ashram Museum

Their knowledge and understanding even at
this young age was astounding. Well done to
the teachers for inspiring the new generation to
embrace their history and culture.

Chris in a moment of quiet
contemplation

After getting some lunch at a local eatery (small café) Daal and Roties, really good, we hopped (Ha Ha ) onto our bus, it had sleeping compartments and a/c so an restful five hours later we were home. The bus dropped us off at the road to our colony, we thought we would give a friend a call to come and get us. At that very moment a rickshaw turned into the road with one of our neighbours in, lift sorted.
Next year the meet will be in Delhi's chapter area so we are already planning for a road trip North from there, taking our holiday for two weeks at the same time. Desert and the Himalayas! What a wonderful country this is for bike touring.

As you can see we have a new addition to the family.

‘Butch’ a rescued street pup. Breed, ‘Roadation’ (according to Jatin it’s a new breed Hee Hee) Jatin found him and brought him to us as a surprise because he knew we were looking for a dog to rescue from street life.

Very dehydrated and thin when we got him two weeks ago. Now putting on weight and is very playful and happy. However he had a really nasty bite on the end of the tail going infected. Kris stopped the infection with antibiotic cream so that the tail began to heal all except the very tip which dried out and dropped off.

Yes you can chew this

Very lively and full of fun

The bent white tail is where something bit her,
possibly a reptile or another dog. It was infected
Kris treated it with antibiotic cream, the tip died
and fell off leaving a nice clean wound which
is healing nicely. If we had not rescued her she
would have died from this infection.

She is such a happy contented dog, lovely nature
and very affectionate, also a quick learner.

One small mistake however Butch is a girl! It’s hard to tell at 4 weeks but it is now obvious.

So ‘Butch has become ‘Bleu’ from the French phrase ‘sacre bleu’ meaning a surprise. We pronounce it ‘Blue’.

We are training her, she already knows: no, sit, stay, but come tends to be optional at the moment, Jatin has also taught her to shake hands. She is a very clean dog, only a very few accidents in the house, now she mostly does her business in the garden.

We have netted off the back garden and chickens also our front gates so she can have full freedom to explore her new home. She is almost house trained and has had her first inoculations. So, hello Bleu, welcome home.

Below are just a few of the security fences we have had to put in place to keep Bleu in the garden safe. A lot of hard work in such a short space of time, we thought we would have time to plan it but Bleu came literally out of the Blue (pun intended)

Wheels

We are buying a Mahindra Major; it is similar to a long wheelbase land rover. It’s an old one but in good condition. The guy we are buying it from is a personal friend of one of my best friends in India. He has a garage motor repair business and the Major used to be his until he got a newer one. Judging by the equipment he has and the workshop he knows what he’s about. We will have some work to do on it but hard work has never scared either of us. Any major jobs or mods in the future and we already have a place where we know it will get good work.

This will be so useful to us and our work here. It can carry six in the back and two in the front across any terrain! It’s also built like a tank. If you kick a body panel all you do is hurt your foot!