15th January

15th January, to Sekar's house for a meal with five different types of rice

We have been visiting Sekar's home since our very first visit in 1991, when I remember his 7year old daughter dancing beautifully for us. The daughter who was a baby in 1991 was our hostess today for this visit. She is the mother of two children, aged 5 and  2, and is studying for a PhD in carbon nano tubes. Or that is what Andy says she said. Jude also responded as if it made some sense to her. We had a really delicious meal which was rather different from the thali array of different vegetable and dhal dishes which we are usually served. She had been up since early this morning making tomato rice, lemon rice, curd rice, tamarind rice and the sweet dish, pongal rice. All delicious. I've asked her to send me her recipe for the tomato and the lemon as they were especially good and I have in mind the next fund-raiser I may do at home in France.

Sekar is a very fond grandfather, extremely hands-on and gentle. This photo is a bit blurry because these two are a lively pair, bright as buttons. The little boy Krishna did not stop trying to get at my mobile phone to look for a game to play, however much his adults tried to chastise him. Clearly an international grandchild phenomenon now  it seems!