Oodles of joy from Ooty

Constellation of friends,

I am sorry for the mix up of mail. Virus has been doing rounds these days!! But I guess you did not have permanent loss of data and are still talking to me!!??

I ve been to UK an back. I apologize for not getting in touch while there, it was impossible to do anything else other than pack up. Since our separation (keyur & me), Keyur has vowed to do everything ‘together’ only and kept even copies of every newspaper from my last visit by bedside for ‘us’ to pick up ‘together’!! !

I am sure most of you are having vacation fun at home and abroad. Meanwhile we had short break to Ooty and what an aromatic break it was!! Ooty, short form of Udgam madalam meaning queen of hills. First time since my arrival words fail to come. I have not seen such fertile soil anywhere else in the world. Greenery and scenery, yes we find everywhere but not this kind. Every particle of soil is capable of bearing fruit. Neel Giri (blue mountain) is coverted with flora and fauna that can be consumed one way or the other. You can sip eucalyptus with every breath in. No wonder it used to have sanatorium in those days. There are other spices such as clove, javintri etc etc. I would not recognize these spices by their colours! Such deep and fresh and moist they were. If we try to put scissors to clove it oozes oil and the stem will not break as opposed to overly dried and already extracted cloves we get in supermarkets. Javantri looked like rose petals. Some other spices used for birayani etc. Lot of these spice plants were replaced with tea plantation to satisfy foreign thirst are still thriving. Visited tea factory and packed some. Also collected five variety of essential oils. Best part was journey through nature reserve of bandipur and muddumalai. Dense bamboo woods and calm yet alive forest with wildlife in its natural habitat. On way back stopped over at water fall, its was more like small to large pebble field with water playfully flowing down. One can jump over those rocks at various points. Very accessible and inviting rather than intimidating like niagra.

Ok, welcome back home and from serene sound of nature to thumping music of catwalk for the launch of a scandinavian label called ‘jack and jones and only’. Took some picture with Neil Nitin mukesh and Anushka sharma. He is very cultured and she is very fragile and exquisite. I wonder in amazement looking at these beautiful species that look like humans but lot different than me!

Yes, you guessed it Keyur gave them bhavan website and promised they would be looked after if they visit manchester-bhavan.

With flavourful and spiced up goodwill for you all