We met up with Sophie and Paul in Fort Cochin, the day before our flight to a pale orderly world -
There'd been a problem with our booking for The Old Lighthouse - we'd hoped to stay there again, to feast on subtle curries after our twelve days fasting at Doctor Baggi's -
I'd lost seven kilos as a result of my treatments - whilst being massaged by Vinish and Murugan, I'd dreamed of cappuccinos -
We stayed instead at the Poovath Heritage Hotel, once the palace of a Dutch pro consul, now a refuge for heart sore travellers - from its balconies you could see the worn tombs of the cemetery, yet also the open sea -
Jane and Ken's booking in the Old Lighthouse went ahead - they'd booked in advance - we idled in the pool there that afternoon -
Anne, Jane and Sophie tried their luck at synchronised swimming - Paul was beardless - I guess a barber's wicked razor had got to work - he swam smoothly from end of the pool to the other - I lay on my back, floating upon the cool water, looking up at the marvellous sky - Ken had donned his splendid Batik shirt -
Later, an American girl had insisted upon taking our picture - I thought of the poignant lyrics of Ray Davies' song, People take pictures of each other -
Surely this moment, if I wished it, could remain there forever -
We stayed instead at the Poovath Heritage Hotel, once the palace of a Dutch pro consul, now a refuge for heart sore travellers - from its balconies you could see the worn tombs of the cemetery, yet also the open sea -
Jane and Ken's booking in the Old Lighthouse went ahead - they'd booked in advance - we idled in the pool there that afternoon -
Anne, Jane and Sophie tried their luck at synchronised swimming - Paul was beardless - I guess a barber's wicked razor had got to work - he swam smoothly from end of the pool to the other - I lay on my back, floating upon the cool water, looking up at the marvellous sky - Ken had donned his splendid Batik shirt -
Later, an American girl had insisted upon taking our picture - I thought of the poignant lyrics of Ray Davies' song, People take pictures of each other -
Surely this moment, if I wished it, could remain there forever -
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