Taj!!!

Visited one of the acknowledged wonders of the world today as well as the red fort. Stunning!

Short blog but a few pictures below..All these pictures at the moment are from my phone. Have plenty of pictures on my camera that will be downloaded when I get home.

Delhi!!!

A busy day in the Indian capital. Visit to the mosque, a bicycle rickshaw ride, an impressive Mogul tomb and the place where Gandhi was assassinated.
The rickshaw ride was exhilarating plenty of bumps and near misses.
The mosque and tomb were impressive and the visitor to where Gandhi was shot was very moving. Some highlights below including Gandhi’s last walk.

Bye Shimla

Today has been mainly travelling but at our stop we had good views of the “toy train” see pictures below. Also got a bit of bird watching (always have my bins with me). We exploring Delhi tomorrow. A couple of pictures from yesterday below and the high speed train we caught today plus the toy train.

Snow!!!

Well believe it or not there was snow overnight just beyond Shimla. Picture above is of some daft so and so wearing his shorts!

Went to what was once Lord Kitchener’s residence. The journey there we were surrounded by deep valleys. Visibility was poor but when the clouds parted it was magical. Some more pictures below including the breaks. Later I went into a bar in Shimla to watch some cricket and had a mango beer which was different and enjoyable. On the way back I joined in a protest about electricity with a group of workers waving communist flags!!!

Shimla Day 2

Saw the remnants of the Raj today by visiting of what was the Viceroy of India’s residence. Views were once again spectacular (some pictures below including a distant view of the snow topped Himalaya .Hoping for better views of the mountains tomorrow but the forecast isn’t great! Spent some time walking round old Shimla this afternoon.

I am crossing my fingers for tonight’s football a vital game for the Hatters.

Shimla!!!

Well the reunion of the Churches has happened. Today we left Delhi had had nearly eight hours on two different trains including the world famous “toy train” up to Shimla. The journey was breathtaking as we climbed and climbed. In awe of the engineering of over 100 years ago. Some pictures below more tomorrow- the first two is the view from our hotel window. Body tired after the journey on the “toy train”

Storytelling in India

Mentioned we visited an orphanage a couple of days ago. It was a humbling time seeing these young enthusiastic boys. At one time I was surrounded by over 30 boys crowding into the small space in the picture below. They listened to The Golden Bird, Anansi and the cheeky bird!

 

The Hills

Currently enjoying a relaxing time up in the hills north of Mumbai. It has been full on cricket and for old men it is a tough ask. The first picture below is from my room!

 

We have played cricket against some wonderful Indians who can certainly hit the ball a long way! The grounds have been diverse and have played two games under lights. The Brabourne Stadium under lights that has hosted Test Matches has to be one of my top sporting moments. Two more pictures below featuring yours truly. I am the departing batsmen in one.

I even did some storytelling yesterday at an orphanage. Will post a picture in my next blog.

 

India!!!

We are here and have played 2 and lost 2! Bit like England! We started at Shivajjl Park which is an amazing place, over 1000 people playing cricket at the same time Sachin and Sonny two Indian legends started on this Midan. You encounter overlapping games, bicycles rocks, debris etc. Team picture below, the second game on the edge of Mombai (pitch picture below) where I got in some bird watching as well. Will try and blog some more this week.