Home Sweet Home

Well this is where I'll be living for most of the next three weeks. It's a lovely big room with plenty of beds for friends to spend the night too! Lol.
The purple door by the sink leads into my loo and what used to be a shower room. For some reason though, the shower head has been taken out and a water heater installed. Looks like I'll be using the traditional Indian method of bathing. This involves having a very large bucket (holding about 4 of our bucketfuls) filled with water and a jug. You fill the jug and pour it over yourself. It works fine but involves a bit more effort than standing under a shower. On the plus side at least I have hot water now. The bucket doubles as my washing machine as I usually leave my clothes soaking over night and wash them out in the morning. They dry in a couple of hours outside.
You'll notice that particularly fine air conditioner too (as well as one of the two ceiling fans) that really does make me feel happy.
When I was in school today I was given the rather nice patchwork quilt on my bed to borrow. I had one last year too. In spite of the outside temperatures, when you have the AC on overnight you need sufficient bedding. You'll notice it goes particularly well with my treasured blue and white sheets which I mentioned yesterday to blipper Blethers' amusement.
I had my Tirunelveli breakfast of Poori and potato masala (curry) with a cup of coffee. All piping hot and freshly made in a nearby cafe.
I received a warm welcome when I went into school from staff and children who I know. My favourite young man who I have known since he was 5, is no longer there, he had gone back to live with his family now he is 22. Which actually is very good news. Tamil Selvan who I always associate him with in my mind is still there though and gave me his meltingly lovely smile now surrounded by his adult self's facial hair.
I did a quick tour of the classes which is the best way to see everyone quickly, all seems to be going well.
'My' class has a new physio installed, I'll spend time with her in the coming days. She has a small list of things which would be helpful.
One development since I was last here in 2020 is the building of a replacement admin block. The previous offices were in the same building as the residential dormitories and are now completely separate. This allows the dormitories to expand into the former office space and the building to be self contained.
Stella, one of the teachers and the warden of the residential unit gave me an enormous welcome. She has next to no English but we have a very warm friendship. Summed up in the way that a few years ago, she decided I should have a nap at lunchtime and so makes up her bed for me with a clean quilt and pillow case. She had it ready and waiting for me today along with a huge hug and a tweak of my cheek!
This evening I am going out to see my friend Caroline. Caroline was the first resident Indian person I met when we came out in 1997 and we have been firm friends ever since. Both she and her two sons have visited us in the UK several times (one living with us for several months while a student) and our families know each other well. She feels like a sister to me. A somewhat sadder sister since the death, far too young, of her beloved husband in 2017 with pancreatic cancer.
We've grown up together from being the parents of young children when we first met, to being grandparents.

... and today Nicola Surgeon has announced she is to step down. No matter your politics, in my mind she was a real rock the way she led Scotland during covid. There are not many other politicians I trust these days.