Kayaking at Davidson Park

01 Dec 2019

I got to spend some time with Armaan today. We went kayaking in the morning. Nice and relaxed. I love him so much and Im so proud of him.
I love the river here, its nice and calm and a great place to spend the day.

Wentworth Falls 24-11-19

48 Years Old

We went to the Blue Mountains for pre birthday celebrations. Its one of the few times I can get everyone together with a common sense of purpose, the dichotomy of autonomy versus cohesiveness is evident.

A lovely little forest cottage tucked away in Wentworth Falls, an erstwhile home of what seemed to be an audiophile.

The compulsion to make such events memorable is now past me, and Im happy to have smiles and togetherness and simply the nearness of having the 4 of us together.

Mount Banks NSW

25-10-2017

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us. - Churchill

ABOVE : Town Hall Building, Sydney

ABOVE : Returning from the Canvas Bar, a play of clouds and light from the setting sun. 

As I crossed the street, it was a moment of dazzling beauty that I knew would be short lived. And as I stopped to take this pic, another lady stopped with me and remarked about good the light was at that moment. We stood there for a few brief moments and then went our separate ways. I wonder if she remembers this scene....

Black Leafed Bush

Amazing dark brownish / maroon / almost black leafed bush 

that looks like petals of a flower. What is this plant ??!!

Watsons Bay 1st Visit

Excited to be up and about town, the first place I went to after skimming a local travel brochure, was Watson's Bay. I had no idea what to expect, just that there was a Ferry ride involved and a Bay... So I got the Ferry from Circular Quay, it was a cool crisp breezy day, and I was thankful I'd carried a jacket as I sat on the rear deck of the Ferry watching the city go past. The engines on board were a lot more powerful than I expected, and the forward thrust as we sped away was thrilling !

A great view of the harbour bridge and the Opera house. [ Didnt want to actually go there until the gang arrives ]

I loved the vibe at the bay here, so nice and relaxed.

The cliff walk I quite chanced upon, as I wandered to where the others were going, not expecting to see what I did, and it was fantastic ! 

Coincidentally I'm reading - The Sea The Sea by Iris Murdoch, and it was like I'd stepped into the imagery of the book in some ways.

Close to the ferry pier is a tree with a roundabout and a plaque. Curious I took a closer look, half expecting a local snippet of a grand maritime story of bravery and adventure. Instead I found this. Tongue in cheek humour and a hilarious example of the simple and unsophisticated mateship of Aussie culture.

Brighton Le Sands Early Impressions

Armaan's Keen Eye

24-01-2016 1855 hrs

Sunset over the city.
Armaan spotted this photo-op from his bedroom window just now, and I took this with the Lumia 620.

Airoli Bridge

2015-12-09 1830 hrs

I've crossed over this bridge on many mornings, seeing the hazy rising sun and the spectre of the grey cityscape across the creek. New Bombay as it was called.

Last evening as I cycled back, on the stretch from Airoli to Bombay, the setting sun in the west and the dead tree as the subject, I saw the old Bombay skyline in the distance.. . . .

We are also on the last day of the 195 nations climate summit in Paris and our PM has insisted we keep burning fossil fuel until we "catch up" economically with the west. What he doesn't seem to understand is that it is not an economic issue anymore.. . . . .Perhaps we deserve what's coming to us. . . .

Meanwhile -- At a Junction in Thane

I saw him at a traffic junction in Thane.
Not sure if he was the Sunday morning sub, but traffic seemed to be flowing just fine. . . .

My Cup Cake

Deepa's Birthday at Chiplun

Since Deepa was beginning her 7th cycle of a 7 year cycle, we decided to do something different, and planned a family retreat to Chiplun for a time of reflection, togetherness and celebration. We left early morning at 0530 hrs on Saturday 11th July 2015. 

Kolad was on the way, so we stopped for a while 

and went Kayaking on the Kundalika river. 

The rest of the drive was beautiful, esp the last 100Km through the ghats. 

The hotel used to be run by the TAJ, so we were ceratin that they couldnt have gone too far wrong.

And this is what was waiting for us.

A quick look around, and Armaan was really keen on a swim, so we went off to the pool.

A nice swim followed by some hot snacks and coffee at the outdoor restaurant.

Then the cake cutting which we were all waiting for !

Yummy Belgian Chocolate cake, which we carried with us from Bombay.

A nice sit-out on the balcony for Deepa and I, with a glass of Rose and Barbecue Nachos. 

And some good conversation. 

The next morning we woke up early, Armaan wanted to have another swim in the pool.

After which we were off to the beach.

Yes, GUHAGAR beach is about 45 km from where were, and about a 75 minute drive.

One of the lesser known beaches along the Konkan coast. 

And something which we were all grateful we took the effort for.

Being Monsoon season though, we didnt get into the water, and left shortly after, 

with a nice 9 hour drive back to Bombay. 

Reached home tired, sleepy and happy by 1030 pm on Sunday 12th July 2015.