10th Feb - Swimming and Animal Sancturary

We had another chilled morning and I felt more enthusiastic about doing things today. I spent some more time playing around with gps tracks on computer.

In the afternoon Johnie took me and Miranda to the local animal sanctuary. Johnie is very much an animal lover and is daft about his cat Pepper (whom I have to admit is a really great Jungle cat). The sanctuary looks after all types of animals that have either been in traffic accidents or been cruelly treated by their owners. There were a large number of dogs with only 3 legs and numerous donkeys. Johnie is a regular visitor and supporter of the sanctuary and says that Indians have a long way to go before the treatment of animals improves to Western Standards.

After the animal sanctuary we all went to meet Johnie's parents. They live about 10km from his house. They are an elderly couple that moved out to India a couple of years ago. As Johnie's paternal grandmother was born in India and so the whole family have PIO cards to live in India. It is actually very difficult to get permanent residency in India without having a relative actually born here.

Johnie's parents have a huge swimming pool and we spent a couple of hours drinking coffee, eating cake and swimming in the pool. This really is like being on holiday with friends rather than traveling.

In the evening Johnie announced that he is having such a fab time that he is not going to go to Bangalore after all. He was originally planning to go for the duration of the festival as for the last 2 years of the festival he as stayed at home. He was not too bothered about seeing it again and wanted to get away from all of the noise and people etc. He changed his mind and said that he would take us to the festival over the next few days.

Johnie again cooked us a great meal - this time chicken on the BBQ with fresh pita bread and salad. It was great. Finished off with loads of chocolate brownies. We all chilled, drank too much and talked rubbish into the small hours. I am eating and drinking far too much - oh well the weight will go when I get back on the bike in the next couple of days.