Keep Track of Julia: January 19, 2017

Despite all my best intentions, it has been almost a month since I posted.

Christmas has come and gone. No tree trimming last year as it was replaced by a new year's party. Did, however, attend a lovely Christmas dinner at Clare and David Leask's.

Beautifully appointed table. Our host, David on the left and my dinner companion Andrew Fowler-Watt

Getting seated. On the left from the top down: Viv Wright and Viv Fowler-Watt; on the right: Andrew and Koomi Bowkett with her back to the camera

Still sitting. From the top down, our hostess (not too visible), Clare Leask, David Bowkett and Viv Fowler-Watt

Clare bustling with Malcolm Wright sitting in front of her

The best hostess. She never stops fretting

After Christmas, Lalindra and I were busy doing placement testing for school admissions. Just managed to sneak in a fur/claw session before Grai and Wanetta arrived.

Great way to start the New Year

Grai and Wanetta arrived on the 31st just in time to get settled in and get ready for a party. I was so glad to see them. They have not changed at all in 4 years, at least not physically. They have grown for the better in other ways.

The party was much smaller than my birthday, but there were about 15 of us and despite some claiming fatigue, everyone lasted until midnight.

Man talk

Jez explaining something to Wanetta

Potluck which meant some different dishes from my normal fare

So great to see these guys

We did manage to get to Sigiriya and Dambula as well as the Maligawa, but Grai and Wanetta were all templed out and I suspect tuckered out from their adventures in India, so we mostly chilled. Of course, they found a gym and managed to get some workouts in. I spent a lot of time trying to keep Grai fed. He eats enough for 3 people.

At my vegetable vendor replenishing food stores to fuel Grai

Immediately after their departure on January 6, we had the opening ceremony and first classes for the School of English. Everything came off fairly well, but of course, the opening ceremony started 45 minutes late as one of the chief guests arrived an hour late. Both chief guests gas bagged on way too long. Ven. Thera, the chief monk at the temple where we conduct classes, performed a brief blessing, but then gave a longish speech made even longer by having it translated into English. Lalindra kept his remarks brief and quite informative, thank god.

However, all the right things got done. Lalindra and a few superstitious stalwarts lit the ceremonial lamp at the auspicious hour and Ven. Thera performed a pirith then as well. Refreshments were served after and then classes began.

We have been going great guns since then and are up to 4 classes and almost 50 students. Feedback has been good, so onward and upward.

Went to dinner at the Fowler-Watt's last week. He is the principal of Trinity College, one of three prestigious private boy's schools in Sri Lanka. He lives on the school grounds in a beautifully kept old style planter's bungalow. I had never been beyond the front of the school. The grounds are magnificent. 15 acres extending from Trincomolee Street almost in the heart of Kandy town to the base of Uttuwatakele, a forest reserve.

The place looks like a botanical garden. The chapel is world famous for it's open design.

View of the chapel from the principal's bungalow

The guests were interesting including a visiting couple from England, Lily and Stewart Ross. He had spent his gap year working for the VSO and had spent a year at Trinity, 51 years ago. We were also joined by Ravi, the college administrator, who is responsible for keeping everything going. He was most charming and doing a great job so far as I could see. They have a handsome golden retriever named, Ganne, who kept trying to grab my flowing dress and scarf. No harm done and he kept me alert.

Patches enjoyed Grai and Wanetta's visit too. She charmed her way into their hearts.