As I haven't posted in almost 4 months, I am going to break this up so you don't have to read a long scree.
We'll start in September where I left off last time:
I was still doing French classes with Amra. Those finished at the end of September as her family responsibilities and travel took precedence. They were worthwhile, not only for her but me as well. Now I listen to French radio every morning and Hungarian radio every night. Also thinking of taking Sinhala lessons from my immediate neighbour who I hear is an excellent teacher. Have to wait until my house redecoration is done first though. More of that later.
Mahjong continues unabated. We are learning all the time; playing double limit games from time to time as well. Will be eternally grateful to Gerry for teaches us this wonderful game.
Film Club finished for me with the Christmas lunch in December. I have been going for 9 years and need a break. Plus I am tired of people complaining all the time and offering no help. Judith will continue on. I think she really likes having something to control even if it can be frustrating at times. I will continue to download the films for them while the hotel's computer guy takes over the technical running on the day.
The Radisson, formerly OZO, where we hold the Film Club had a wonderful wine tasting evening. Initially they offered 7 places to Film Club members. Judith got them up to 11. When we arrived on the night, we were the only guests while the rest were all hotel staff or with the wine importers. We could have brought 25 people easily. The food was terrific with a large cheese selection, raw nuts, a side of something dead and an entire steamed fish. I don't drink anymore which is a good thing as everyone said the wine was crap. However, something different to do and a good time.
There seem to be fewer and fewer people staying in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan passport office is issuing 12,000 passports a day. Even the expats are spending more and more time outside the country. I manage to catch up with people when they are here. For my part, I am content to stay where I am.
Douglas and I have had no success in playing tennis. He was away in England for 3 months. On his return, we went out one morning only to find the court was a mud patch. The northeast monsoon came early this year starting on late September instead of early November so everything has been soggy since then. At first it was just the normal monsoon rains but then they have developed into days of torrential downpours. We have had one large and a couple of small landslips on my road. They clear them away fairly quickly, but it makes wonder about the bank in front of my house which is only held up by plant roots. So far, so good.
Simon and Pauline went off to Malta and the UK for a month, so Lesley and I went up to Naula for 4 days to pay the staff and check things over. It made for a nice break. I swam my 1 km. every day. Wonderful feeling while in the water and much better balance and stamina when out.
They have had one their villas renovated to include a kitchen and a separate bedroom. I was so impressed by the work that I tried to talk them into letting me rent it on a permanent basis. It turns out it is not financially viable, so I will stay where I am.
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| The facade of a new restaurant in Matale. |
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| Cyrilina, the giant squirrel. She is always so happy to see you that she makes these round runs from her top roost over the roof of her cage. She is really too big for the cage now and needs to be set free. I don't know if Pauline can see her way clear to do it. Otherwise, they need to build a large aviary type cage for her. |
They have a number of Indian Star Tortoises which are a threatened species. As a result, they keep them in a protected area and feed them.
As a result, they are starting to multiply as evidenced by the baby tortoise Pauline found.
They have also acquired a new puppy that Simon insisted they were not going to keep but, of course, Pauline has prevailed and she is there to stay. They have named her Trixie and she is lovely and affectionate.
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| While they were away, and because they were not sure about keeping her, she was housed in the cat cages at the back of their house. Now she is free range in their very large fenced yard. |
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| She loves to be loved. |
They also have a large menagerie made up of other cats and dogs. A real pet rescue.
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| There are 3 or 4 cats in the cages and an equal number in the house. I can't keep track of all of them. |
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| Lesley about to enjoy one of the meals we brought up with us. She brought the salmon and I made the pesto for the pasta. |
The Kawasakis who have been in virtual hibernation since COVID finally resurfaced and had one of their high teas in honour of a friend visiting from New Zealand. Met some new people and saw some old acquaintances I had not seen for ages.
Breakfast at the Grand Kandyan goes on as well. The group has expanded sometimes to as many as 8. The price has gone up due to a rather large increase in the VAT (Value Added Tax) as of January 1, 2024. Part of the IMF requirements for their bailout. Of course, this regressive government increases a fixed rate tax like VAT instead of setting up a proper graduated income tax system. So, once again, the poorest segment of the population is hit hardest while the rich politicians continue to rob the country blind.
I made a new friend in Janie, who I have mentioned before. She comes to Sri Lanka about every 3 months. We had lunch when she was here in November. She is due again soon.
My trips to the dentist are ongoing. I have had 2 bridges installed and am about go to have an implant post put in. Almost finished until something else breaks down. Good thing that dental care is so reasonable here. My dentist also gives me a massive discount due to all the patients I have referred to him.
I still go occasionally to Lesley and Ralph's for Sunday lunch. Not as frequently as before, but enough.
Hopper nights at the Kandy Club as still happening as well. They have new caterers who are much better than the previous lot making for a much nicer evening.
My friend and mahjong partner Deanne celebrated her 85th birthday with a big party. It was a horrible evening weather wise. Pelting rain. She lives at the top of one of the larger hills up a very windy narrow road. I got Nihal, my housekeeper's brother, to take us up in his van. It was pitch dark with driving rain and a completely fogged up windshield. Add to that a fairly thick fog as we got closer to Deanne's made for a harrowing drive up there. Once there, it was very pleasant and well attended despite the weather.
I will end here for now as the next instalment will my birthday trip to Jaffna.
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