Monday 13 October 2008

A great start to October!!

The October weekend of 11th and 12th least to say was 'Victorian'* and 'Star Studded'**.
To understand the opening statement you have to read this post :)

The 11th!


I don't know whats it with me and the Tudor dynasty. First I got a chance to watch the movie 'The Other Boleyn Girl' about four months back. This movie details the life of Anne Boleyn who became the ill fated second wife of Henry VIII of England. About a month later I visited Hever Castle where Anne Boleyn grew up. And then on the 11th I got an opportunity to visit Warwick Castle which came into the possession of Henry VIII through inheritance.

On the 11th I with my family was invited to an event organised by my company. It was an all day event being held at Warwick Castle* which is in the county Warwickshire, overlooking the river Avon. It became a popular tourist attraction after being purchased by the The Tussauds Group and many corporate events are held there now.

I was awake at five in the morning looking at the clock and trembling with excitement thinking about the day ahead! By seven we all were seated in the coach. Thus the long drive of two and half hours commenced. Initially I was unable to take in the beauty of the countryside because of the foggy morning, but later on as the day progressed and as the rays of the sun pierced through the fog dispensing it, I was able to admire the shires of England.

We reached the castle around ten. After having a sumptuous breakfast we proceeded to explore the castle. We explored many parts of the castle...
The State Rooms

Wonderfully decorated in silk curtains, with coffered ceiling. The rooms have a royal look with upright sofas, paintings of the Earls who inherited the castle. It displays the family's most prestigious possessions.

Guys Tower & Caesar's Tower

We got wonderful views of the surrounding areas from the top of these towers. Yes, of course it was built so that the archers would get a good view of any approaching enemy troops.

The Curtain Walls

I would call them the 'iron walls' surrounding the castle constructed with fortified bricks for its protection. It also has walkways on it.

The Dungeon
This was creepy. It had a very narrow passageway with a very small window, with very less light in the room. After all this was the place where the prisoners were held.

The Chapel

The Mill and Engine house

One can get a demonstration of how the power of River Avon was used in early days for electricity.

Victorian Rose Garden & The Peacock Garden

The Ghost Tower
Here it is said that this tower is haunted by the ghost of Fulke Greville who was stabbed to death by his manservant. This is now home to the attraction "Warwick Ghosts Alive" which tells the story of how he was murdered using live actors and scary props.

The castle also features one of the world's largest siege engines 'The Trebuchet'.

The lunch included a variety of items for vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. Thanks to 'Chennai Dosa' who were the caterers of the event.

After the lunch we were so stuffed that we spent some time beside the lake watching the swans and peacocks and the birds of prey.

There were various activities being held around the castle like archery, sword fighting..

By five thirty we were back in the coach travelling back to the hustle and bustle of the city, leaving behind the Victorian era.

By the time I reached home it was nine, my legs were so tired of walking all day long that I fell asleep the moment I hit bed.

The 12th!

The next day dawned and with it the feeling to be with the stars!! No guesses?? Ahem, the stars** Mohanlal, Mukesh, Jagadeesh, Vineeth, Swaraj Venjaramoodu, Jyothirmayi and Lakshmi Gopalswami had arrived here in Croydon with the sole purpose of entertaining us! ;)

Mohanlal is a two time national award winning actor,and producer, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001. This was Mohanlal's first Europe Stage Show.

The show was organised by the Parayil Group. The show was more music and comedy-oriented with some amazing performances from Swaraj, Mukesh and Jagadeesh which left many of us twitching in our seats with laughter.

Mohanlal sung beautifully, solo and a few duet.

Jyothirmayi and Vineeth gave some wonderful dance performances traditional and modern. The finale of the show was a foot tapping number sung by Mohanlal and Afzal.

Thus came to an end the weekend which was full of nostalgia, action, fun and lots of laughter.

Thursday 9 October 2008

Morning Muse

Lying on the bed
I squint my eyes
Through the gleaming rays of the sun
To catch the ever elusive time

I realise
Its already too late
By this time
I should have been at the gate

I jolt myself
Out of the bed
Long gone are those
Carefree merry days

Oh! How I wish
I could turn back time
To be vanquished
Of this grime

Sadly I realise
Life must go on
There will be bumps
But I should hold on

As I leave
The warmth of the sheets
I perceive
Its a bright day outside

Dew gleaming
In the bright sun
Ants scurrying
Out of their den

Birds leaving
Their nests
Kids walking to school
In full zest

I look at the time
No more in apprehension
Now I know
My mood can't be dampened

I turn back
To get dressed
With a spring in my steps
A smile on my lips

I am strong
I will be out of this gloom
I say to myself as the sun
Peeps into my room

Wednesday 8 October 2008

A Rainy Evening

For Cafe Writing: Option Two: Pick Three: “Pick at least three of the following nine words, and write a paragraph, scene, flash-fic, essay, blog entry or poem using them. The words are drop, evenings, glad, mist, motionless, murmur, pallid, rivulets, swoon”. I have chosen seven words.

Pitter-patter pitter-patter
Swish swoosh Swish swoosh

Be it the sound of rain drops falling on the window pane or the wind rustling in the leaves. It brings a sense of peace over me, suddenly I feel all the more closer to nature. The evening which was dull and dark a few moments before had suddenly turned lively with the leaves dancing in the rain as if welcoming the first drops of rain after the summer. I breathe deeply to fill my lungs with the refreshing scent petrichor.

Suddenly I hear a murmuring of voices and see the kids have come out. They run towards one of the many rivulets that have stemmed out of the earth now. Some have paper boats in their hands which they gently lower on to the water and their faces brighten up on seeing the boat moving with the flow of water. They start splashing water on each other.

I don't know how long I stood motionless, bewitched by the resplendence of nature unfolding before my eyes.

As I turn to leave the sky turns a shade darker. A bolt of lightening lights up the evening sky, seconds later it is followed by a deafening thunder. The kids look at each other and I can see fear etched on their faces. They run inside leaving the paper boats which is now being drowned by the spiralling rush of water. The plants are swooning under the weights of the fruits and the heavy rain.

All of a sudden the rain subsides. The sky clears up. As I see the setting sun in a plethora of colours I am glad to have lived one more day.

Tuesday 7 October 2008

The 'Elementary' Weekend!

It was another of those weekends when I had nothing better to do other than washing, cleaning the house and cooking, but it all changed in an instant when I saw in the paper that this was going to be the last day of the summer! On the spur of the moment we decided to goto London.

We first decided to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Baker Street and it is a must visit for any avid reader of Sherlock Holmes stories.

The 'Shelock Holmes' I know :) outside the 221B Baker Street...

The house is maintained in exactly the same way as in the Victorian times. As I entered 221 Baker Street I felt as if I have entered a bygone era but also with it a feeling like Mr Holmes has just gone out and I should wait for him in one of his couches! It was really a pleasure to see the famous study overlooking the Baker Street and his personal belongings like magnifying glass, pipe, deerstalker, et al in the well maintaned house.

After walking out of the pages of Arthur Conan Doyle we visited Regent Park, which is one of the Royal Parks of London.


This is a stunning 166 hectares with mind-blowing rose gardens containing different varieties of roses, Queen Mary's Gardens, Italian Gardens, English Gardens, a lake with boating area, one can also see Herons and waterfowls. It also has a open air theatre. Also in the western section of the park stands the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.Outside the inner circle is London Business School.


One can reach the park through Baker Loo line and its walking distance from the Sherlock Holmes Museum.