Coming home

Up early for a nice breakfast of dosa, cereals and fruit. Sunu one of the waiters asked if we were going to Mass and said he knew Xavier from St Joseph’s! Left at 8 and arrived in good time for the 9 a.m. Mass. Very impressed by the number of children of all ages at weekly catechetical classes before Mass including teenagers! Church rapidly filled for Fr Xavier’s Mass in Mangalam. We took part in the offertory procession bringing up flowers this time and getting a blessing! At communion everyone stands in their place and turn to form aisles – all very disciplined. Once again we were publicly thanked for coming. What a privilege it has been! Annie and Anthony greeted us and we chatted to men from Greenford and East Ham! Chandron took us to the Jewish synagogue in Mattacherry and we walked to the Dutch palace to see the amazing Hindu mural paintings. Just in time as the lights failed which happens quite a lot here! Every house has its own generator. Then to the Jain temple which was most interesting and a hug flock of pigeons being fed. Had a nice lunch of salad and Malabar coconut dessert and packed up. Loaded last of photos and made videos of them all so right up to date. Had a lovely swim – water like a warm bath. Liz went to Fabindia and later on I went and got 2 nice shirts. To Dal Roti and a queue but worth the wait   chatted to an Irish couple. Shower and to bed at 9 p.m.

Up at 1 a.m. and car to airport and Anthony joined us to do paperwork. Public not allowed in the building. I remarked to him that God had arranged everything very well especially putting us with a Catholic travel agent in Kochi! Ridiculous security – passport looked at 6 times then women separated from men (no notices of course). Plane in delayed by 30 minutes so ate packed breakfast and last rupees went on water and foot cream. 3 and a half hour Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi – slept a little. Watched 33 postcards Australian film about a Chinese orphan coming to Sydney to find her benefactor who is in jail –rather touching. We were not told what gate to go to for Heathrow flight so muddled through a busy airport barging through security to get there in time as of course our flight from Kochi was late. Made it and luggage followed. 7 and half hour flight listened to Bruckner 9 and read coursework on laptop until battery ran out. Finished reading What the Buddha taught. Landed early and Liz went through passport control on her new electronic passport so collected luggage . I was chatting to a family who had been to Australia. They  liked Fraser Island. So pleased to see Louise, Ciarán and Seán. He has grown and full of smiles. Had coffee while he had a feed and then drove home in the Fiesta. The boys dropped off. Home by 2.30 and unpacked. Loads of Christmas cards to open, 2 Tablets to read. Bruce came down. Carpet installed in lounge – got lock open without difficulty – we had lost the keys. Louise loved her shawl, Bruce his FabIndia shirt. Ciaran wooden elephant and showed him video of the elephant ride and the martial arts. Vanilla pods for Tom. We have a lot of spices! All went home and we had pasta. Ciarán on great form chatting about Ireland and playing a new game recognising colours and shapes. Also sang some songs. Sean loves the bath.  I dropped off watching Westminster Abbey episode. Bed at 10 and woke at 1 a.m. Up to date with work and emails.