Sari Time

How come that this is summer? Last years stats show that the average temp in April was 38 and average rainfall was less than .005mm this year the temp is around 28-30 and rainfall this month so far has been 407mm and is usually 46!
I think I must have missed summer when we went to Chennai that weekend! Actually if it wasn't for the fact that the rain is wet - the ground bounces it off so that puddles of up to 6 inches form in no time - it would be quite pleasant if you know what I mean! I saw a dog swimming along the roadside verge this afternoon... I kid you not. I didn't have time to get my camera out but it would have been a fab shot! The roads are all breaking up again and I shall be very careful when walking as my last fall took a full 8 weeks to repair and now just to add insult to injury, my 1 inch diameter bright red scar has a mozzie bite in the middle of it! The rain is bringing them out in their swarms too, not fair. Having said that, this house still has fewer mozzies than any other I know, everyone who comes in comments on how cool it is, so I am really extremely lucky... I just like moaning! Remind me in three weeks that I said that my house at 29 degrees C. was cool won't you!
I slept late today, I had a really bad night last night, Balagi left for Trivandrum at 2.30am and as the Ambassador is Diesel, it makes a heck of a racket starting up, right outside my window. He was as quick as he could be, in getting it going, but it still woke me! I got up, mucked around on the computer, did a couple of sudokus, read my book, caught up on the Daylight readings I had missed and had a drink of hot milk. Then went back to bed, but was still awake at 4.30am when Raja (landlord not auto driver) turned on the water to fill the tank, doesn't disturb me but I just noticed it and thought good grief, I'm still awake and he is getting up!. I finally got to sleep around 5.
Joshua's dad came at 10 and spoke to Nancy to apologise and say he had to cancel my visit today but would call back to re-arrange so that took the pressure off for a while... no need to be sociable! Have rearranged for Tuesday.
I finally got up around 10.30 and had a shower to try to wake up! I went out around 2.00pm to do a couple of bits and pieces and got Ignesh to drive me as he is getting cross that I am not using him during the day apart from to go to school. He actually takes his mobile out and shakes it at me and growls (unfair, but he has a really gruff voice!) and says 'You call... junction, town, shopping, everything, you call!' He gets very upset that there are actually other autos that I use. I have been calling Raja (auto driver not landlord)as it is just so nice to be able to chat in English.
Ended up at Lydia's to wish her a Happy Birthday and do another final edit. only took me 3 hours this time I must be getting good! Simon arrived to see her while I was there and I had bought a couple of small cups for his boys so he took them with him. Lydia has now got to the stage where she is really relaxed with me and at one point went off for a doze... Next I heard the thunder so shot out into their garden to bring in the washing. She laughed when she saw me coming back in and said I looked like a dhobi (washing) woman!!
The heavens opened again about 5 minutes later, then the power went off... what fun! Joseph her driver drove me home after prayers at around 7.00pm, he's only 19 and a bit of a hairy driver, makes Lydia very nervous so she sends her son Enoch with me. I reckon I can control Joseph better than Enoch can though! Shouting 'STOP' in a loud voice works well I find! My power was on, hurray, when I got in so I made some eggy toast with fried tomatoes and settled down to watch one of my Prime Suspect DVDs which I got for Christmas.
No real pics for today, so some form my files. The sign about children was in Chennai, I think the bit about being plastic refers to our ability to mould and shape them! Also in Chennai is the detective agency, obviously private detective's do well for themselves and have plenty of business here! I didn't spot any shifty looking men in raincoats and turned down hat brims hanging around though. The sign about harassing women is from the train. Just look at that list of No! Nos! Nice to know you can't sing songs about women either! I see the imprisonment for lighting a stove though is longer than for staring or gesturing etc at a woman. I'm quite pleased it is high though, and not surprised that they have to forbid it, you'd be amazed where you see folks making up a meal with primus type pressure stoves. The parking area for men really amused me, it didn't have a sign, you could just see the relief on their faces as they found the chairs and look, they all sit in cute little groups to help them feel secure! Being India, the chairs are not even facing the clothes dummies so they don't get distracted. the men turning to look behind them are trying to see what I am taking a picture of... Bless! That last one was here in Tirunelvelli. You could almost have a caption competition as to what the red dressed dummy is saying to the male dummy beside her!