My dear Readers:

 

Sorry for the goof up. My co-host Shilpa reminded me that this post should have come out today instead of last week.

So just to keep up the tempo and schedule of #FlavoursomeTuesday posts every first Tuesday of the month, I’m re-posting this blog post again today.

Once again, apologies for the mix up but do visit Shilpa’s post for that extra zing on #FlavoursomeTuesday.

Hope you join this linky party

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Holiday Memories

The sun had set and I was alone in the verandah waiting for the girls to come. It was a perfect weekend where each of us floated our own boat. The six of us were staying at a private bungalow up in the mountains. It wasn’t old as the hills around but definitely older than us. It stood on its original stone plinth made of laterite rock, red as the earth around it,  and lovingly  restored to a condition that must have surpassed the original.

The enclosed wrap around verandah was stripped of its windows  letting in the light and allowing the cool breezes to flow through the house. Decorated in keeping with the old fashioned Colonial structure, soft mattresses, running hot water, cool terrazzo flooring and an indoor kitchen, brought this once decrepit property into the modern age.

Creatures of Habit

Being creatures of habit, we  followed a rough routine. For the three of us who were early risers, the morning began with a help yourself to tea/coffee. Enjoying the crisp morning air while sipping tea on the open terrace or wide front verandah, we tried to speak in whispers, allowing the others (particularly our hostess ) to sleep late.

Then followed a sumptuous breakfast of freshly made eggs to order, sausages, crisp toast slathered with butter, assorted jams and cheeses and a Cafe Coffee Day style coffee.

Well fed and ready to seize the rest of the day, we were free to wander in the garden or take the forest trails , visit the local bazaar or just chill : what really mattered was to completely relax free from our regular mundane lives.

Thus the six of us spent the most therapeutic weekend punctuated by a candle-lit meal on the terrace, wine and cheese on the verandah and sumptuous breakfasts and lunches on the large teak wood dining table.

Assorted candies

Like the assorted candies and chocolates in bowls left on on the dining table for our munching pleasure all day long, we unwrapped each flavour one by one, discovering aspects of our personalities that had remained unnoticed and hidden even, over the years.

For it is only when you live out of your comfort zone that  some character traits become apparent. I, for instance, learned that I can sleep in an unfamiliar room and a strange bed if I am sufficiently relaxed. Keeping time that was so important to me was also something I could overlook if time was not of prime importance. So, in other words, I could actually not be uptight and over wrought all of the time!

The girls we had known at school  were now middle aged women with spreading middles. Some of us needed that morning quiet to gather one’s thoughts while some of us needed to stretch out. Our older bodies meant weak backs, the wobbly knees and more than a few pounds to shed!

But one thing was apparent -the deep bond of friendship that allowed us to speak our minds without offending and shared memories that kept the conversations entertaining and lively.

Don’t you agree that we all need a holiday like this ?  One where you do nothing much but just go with the flow?
Have you gone on a holiday with your old school friends? Do share your memories with me in the comments below.

If you do wish to join in this Linky party, do leave your links here.

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WHAT IS FLAVOURSOME TUESDAYS?

Last year my food blog, Foodities , died a natural death by mere neglect . However, being a foodie, I missed writing about food and memories associated with food . So I began #FlavoursomeTuesdays – a weekly post on food . Soon I found that  an enthusiastic blogger Shilpa of Metanoia  was joining in with her delightful stories .

This encouraged me to launch a Linky party.

Thus , Shilpa and I, BellyBytes started out with #FlavoursomeTuesday. We were both AWOL in April and I did hope to be on time this month. However, once again, personal issues made this issue late. Sorry about that but I do hope you join.

Incidentally both of us are technically challenged and learning on the go.  So if we do get anything wrong …. please bear with us.

One thing we do assure you is a good time with food and memories .

Do join us for this Pot Luck hosted by us on the first Tuesday of every month. The Linky will be open till the following Monday, giving you a week to join in with your own contribution.

Ingredients for a #FlavoursomeTuesday:

• Food memories
• Food stories
• Food photos
• Recipes & Restaurant reviews

All these are optional. You can bring in any of the above or all!

Method:

1. Write a blog post and hashtag it #FlavoursomeTuesdays
2. Drop your links in the comments on my blog and on Shilpa’s blog.
3. Visit  Shilpa’s blog and blogs of others left in the comments.
4. Leave some comments too and share the love on social media.
5. Sit back and enjoy the party.

Do feel free to share the badge on your blog to let the others know .