2nd June. This was our first 'messing' about on the canals, known around these parts as 'the backwaters". A two hour tour around the backwaters and lakes of Kumarakon in Kerala. The scenery was just amazing and it was so peaceful. However the boat guy was sweating buckets (yes - just like a big lad in a pie shop) and I did feel a little guilty so I gave the guy a hand with one of the oars - just for the last ten minutes or so as I'm quite prone to 'wire netting' myself!
There were quite a few kids waving and shouting at us. As this is not Sunderland all the comments were clean and polite like "What's your name?" and "Where from?" And no one threw a half brick at us either!
Some more little cuties, check out the shy one on the right!
This is the bird sanctuary at sunset - lots of herons and fish eagles flying around.
Now to the real reason you come to Kerala - 'Houseboating', this enormous boat was all ours for a day. There was only Elvis and I and three staff (yes - outnumbered by staff!) . We read about house boating in a book our Poll has called '50 things to do before you die' and we always hoped that we'd be able to fit it in - and here we are about 18 months after reading about it!
One of the staff was a chef, this is our lunch feast on the boat:- bbq fish, vegetable curry and rice, poppadoms and side dishes of cabbage and okra - mmmmm!! For supper we had the best prawns we've ever slopped our chops upon!Sunrise from our spot by the side of the canal where we stayed the night.
Luckily we were 'anchored' here, those who are concerned about 'Calamity Jane' taking the helm! (Just in case you're wondering she also has two of those church bells hidden up her frock
This is the same kind of boat as ours (I mean the one on the left - not the three guys fishing below!!)
Next stop - a little number known as Fort Cochin, a fantastic little town with a fishing village, lots of laid back cafes and restaurants and a little place called the Tea Pot that does a smashing little cake and tea combo - mmmm yes please Madam!!
Plates of scones carry on: CS Sandersfield was of course correct with the jack fruit answer, although I was disappointed there wasn't a diagram of the molecular structure of said fruit, there was however, quite enough info to warrant a scone. A ward of warning though, if there's anything the Hodgies can't stand it's a reet CS, so don't be surprised if you get some back lash after your last scone winning escapade.
Outsourcer, team work is forbidden!
For a free scone - Elvis and I fly back from Mumbai on Sunday - in the days of British control, Mumbai went by another name - name the City to secure your scone. After you have the name of the city, this should help with the next question:What is the famous dish from that city (City name in the name of the dish) , get that right and you have some butter and jam for your scone. Then finally, for a big dollop of clotted cream, what is the main ingredient of the famous dish. Today's question is what's known in University challenge as 'your starter for three'!!
By the way - I (Keith) became a proper Indian today - I had a curry for breakfast - delicious too!
13 comments:
how come you had a BBQ without any sausage and black pudding ya soft lad.just a quick note cos iam off tonight on bike to europe for 2 weeks i come back same sunday jen and bob come home so see you all then
bon jower
and by the way paul sandersfield is a reet c s reminds me of your cousin jason
bon jower
i know i don't comment much, but i have to get one in before it's all over. thanks UK and suzanne for inspriring me to never want to actually work and instead just travel the world. ma and pa are thrilled i'm sure ;)
make sure to tell the indian people to not visit san diego if "gawping" is really such a serious issue- there are no designated areas for bikini-wearing here!
dying to be there for the homecoming,alas, i will just have to wait.
merry travels,
your quite envious neice
Mumbai was known as Bombay. The dish is called Bombay Duck Fry and the main ingredient is sea fish called Bombay Duck.The Outsourcer.
Game,set and match to the Outsourcer!
Bombay Duck yer bugger! Well, I'll gan to Leyburn.
ps the fact that this posting is so close on the heels of Paul's is purely coincidental!
are you sure the little shy one wasnt wetting hersel at the length of the white fellas arms!!
ooopsa sorry, that one was from jnr elves
If that last one was from Junior Elves, then little Samuel's learning to type before he can run. A CS in the making perhaps?
Typical - a triple whammy question that I didn't have to Google to get the answers, and 8 people beat me to the Comments box.
Mr Hodge, teamwork IS permitted. In fact, I emailed the answers to the Outsourcer earlier today to help with our Team Effort. Outsourcer - if it's not there yet, it must be lost in the e-post ;-)
Lovely pictures as usual. Nevermind the shy bairn on the right, what about the not-so-shy lad on the left? He must be a fisherman's son the way he's checking his tackle.
I think the Blog could only properly be complete if there are pictures arriving into Heathrow! Nee pressure though.
That last one was me. Not so much of a CS now eh?
Mumbai was known as Lancashire. The dish is Lancashire Hotpot and the main ingredients are meat, onion and potatoes
Paula
Mmmm, curry for breakfast?....I think I feel a craving coming on!
Fab pictures, love the sunset shots.
Can't beleeeeve we gonna see ya's tommora like!
CS's Wife & Co
Paula was nearly right..but Mumbai was actually called South Shields and the dish was South Shields Kebab and Chips..but only to be eaten after 10 pints
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