DAY 258

We went on a beautiful camel cart ride today to a town with another lovely haveli. Louie fell asleep.

DAY 257

... and today we did a workshop on traditional tie dye - 'bandhini'. It's quite fiddly so the kids didn't get that into it but Ed and I had fun. We made four of these scarves and bought four more. I'll post a picture later of what we plan to do with them.

DAY 256

And now to the Shekawati region, famous for its countless old painted havelis. Havelis are houses based around a courtyard, which often belonged to wealthy merchants. Many of them have fallen into disrepair, but there are lots of projects to revive them. This is inside a haveli in Nawalgarh that has been restored and made into a museum. 

DAY 255

The boys are at the American School so we're having a long weekend away in Rajasthan for Thanksgiving. First stop: Neemrana. A 15th century fort that has been developed into a hotel with lots more added. We've been here several times and this time we were put in the same room as the one we had last time we were here when Louie was a year old. 

DAY 254

One of many juice stalls ... oranges are in season, as you can probably tell.

DAY 253

I've been meaning to take a photo of one of these water trollies for ages. Ed took this one today. It won't be long before they disappear for the winter. Not quite sure where the water inside them comes from... 

DAY 252

A South Indian lunch today with Louie. Aloo bonda - so delicious. Potato and spices with spinach, dipped in gram flour batter and fried, with coconut chutney and sambar. Mmmmm.

DAY 251

Today Ed and I celebrate 15 years together. 

DAY 250

It doesn't look like it, but technically this is bike shop #7. This man works as a cobbler and rides around the residential colonies with his box on the back, calling out his services so people can stop him if they need any shoes mending.

DAY 249

Check out this crazy bug that Ed took a photo of. It looks like a character from the film Epic ...

DAY 248

We have a new chair. I've always wanted one like this. Now we just need to decide on the colour for the cover ...

DAY 247

These little creatures are all over Delhi ... all over India I think. We call them chipmunks but I think they are just stripy squirrels. 

DAY 246

I was in Chennai again this week on Monday and Tuesday. I drive past this mural every time I'm there and finally managed to get a photo. This is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (or ex Chief Minister maybe) and his son ... both prominent political figures. I love this style of painting - it's all over Chennai. Mostly political figures but also some famous actors. I'll try and take some more next time I'm there.

DAY 245

 Promised long ago - here are Ed and Louie in their scouts uniforms. On Sunday they helped out at a school mela (fair), selling drinks to raise funds for their 'pack'.

DAY 244

Two more lovely boys.

DAY 243

We met these lovely boys when we went for a walk near the fort we stayed in a couple of weeks ago. They showed Louie a new game that involves hitting a small stick up into the air and whacking it with a longer stick so it goes for miles ... hard to explain but we'd never seen it before and Louie loved it.

DAY 242

This is outside Safdarjung's Tomb. There's a picture of inside the walls on Day 220.

DAY 241

Check out the beautiful chalk decorations ... hopefully the elephant likes them too.

DAY 240

I've been in Punjab again this week but with no time to take photos. This is at the fort we stayed at a couple of weekends ago. These earthenware pots are quite common, filled with cool water for the hot summer days. They're always accompanied by a scoop or cup for people to help themselves, but crucially without touching it with their mouths. People in India seem to have an incredible ability to drink from a bottle, a glass, a cup or any other receptacle without it touching their lips and without spilling a drop.

DAY 239

I spend a lot of my time here.

DAY 238

Archery: the new thing. Oslo is dressed in his 'gold ninja' costume.

DAY 237

Another mini restaurant on wheels.

DAY 236

Thanks for all the birthday wishes ... birthday season has begun!

DAY 235

Winter has arrived in Delhi. Mr Stanning: on the occasion of your birthday, this photo is for you.

DAY 234

I love these circus posters. They've been around for years. There's a whole load of them that appear in small towns and the outskirts of cities. I'll try and take some of the other ones which feature some of the main acts. Always an eyeopener.

DAY 233

Remember this bike back on Day 66? It's had a bit more added to it now. Just down the road from my office.

DAY 232

Look what we found by the side of the road ...

DAY 231

Kesroli fort - our home for the Diwali weekend. 

DAY 230

Bike shop # 5. As we drove to the place that we are staying for the weekend in Rajasthan, we passed a few of these bikes ... and one motorbike that was similarly set up for business. Then they disappeared. I'm not sure why they were only in one area, or whether the garlands are for Diwali or just for general adornment. I've noticed that lots of the tractors and trucks around here have these sorts of decorations so maybe they're their drivers are the target market.

DAY 229

More Diwali preparations ... these 'diyas' are filled with mustard oil and a cotton wick, placed en masse around houses and homes and then lit as candles. The lights are to show Rama, Lakshman and Sita the way home to their kingdom.