Our UK Holiday – Southport and Formby

It was lovely to travel on smooth ordered motorways and clean, well maintained roads from Derby to Southport. We passed green fields filled with sheep and cows. In fields. Not wandering around on roads eating rubbish. We stopped at a service station. A service station with shops, cafes and clean toilets with loo roll, soap and hot water. We stopped for a coffee and picked up some snacks. What a contrast to Bangalore.

We arrived in Woodvale, Ainsadale (where I spent the first 18 years of my life) and arrived in time to see my mother (along with other senior citizens) receiving a planter full of daffodils from the local school children. My sister arrived soon after and after huge squashed hugs we chatted over a cup of tea (yes how very British!), catching up on 6 months worth of news, events and developments.

We headed over to my brother’s house in Formby where we were staying for the duration of our visit in Southport. It’s 4 miles away and is a 10 minute drive (if that) on a dual carriageway. The same distance in Bangalore would take 20 minutes easily. We have been able to do so much during our stay because travelling around is so easy.

We settled in and enjoyed a takeaway dinner with Prosecco. It was comfort food at its best. We chilled and chatted and relaxed whilst watching a movie. It was a bit like Christmas (especially as we brought presents!).

The next morning my wonderful brother cooked a huge full English breakfast – it was delicious. We relished it. With very full tummys we headed down to Formby beach for a walk along the beach in the bracing sea air. It was so quiet. We could not hear a thing as we got out of the car and headed to the beach. It was peaceful and clean – the only rubbish was in the bins provided. Even better, the tide was in and the sea was only a few yards away. We walked to the edge of the sea but didn’t brave a paddle in the freezing temperatures! 

  

We were amused by the shoes that had been lost, abandoned and subsequently found and displayed on the boardwalk.

Lost and found

  

After a lovely long walk along the beach and some tumbling down the sandhills we headed back to Ade and Gill’s to warm up and have a cuppa. It took us a while for the chill to go but after we had warmed up we headed out again with my sister Alison and my nephew and niece Bobby and Lydia. We headed down to the National Trust Squirrel Walk. It cost £5.70 to park but otherwise entry was free. The reserve is renowned for its red squirrels. Despite it being still the hibernation period I was confident we would see some as there have been so many here. We weren’t disappointed as we did see one red squirrel but that was it.

  

The children loved running up and down the hills and dunes searching for red squirrels and exploring nature.

Zahra, Lydia and Bobby running in search of red squirrels

  
  
  

Here are some pictures from the nature reserve to demonstrate the difference between the UK and India. It is as cold as it looks!
  

  
  
  

Bobby, Lydia and Zahra den building

  

We headed into Southport for some shopping the next day – we had a list of things we simply couldn’t get in Bangalore. We also spent time having some fun in an amusement arcade – winning points to exchange for prizes. Zahra also wanted an ice cream. All very British seaside fun. 

We stopped for lunch in a cafe in a shopping arcade in Southport. It was cosy, warm, welcoming and the food was fantastic and very British!

Zahra with her Aunty Alison

  

Its never too cold or wet for nutella ice cream!

  

zahra enjoyed the arcade games with her bag of pick n mix sweets

  

 

Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of Jesus, The Son of God

Easter is the day Christians remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after 3 days lying in the tomb. He defeated death and sin. He conquered evil so that all who believe in Him may go to Heaven. It is detailed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and Paul the Apostle wrote about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

When is it?

The week before Easter is called Holy Week which includes Maundy Thursday when the Last Supper (the last meal Jesus had with His disciples) took place and Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified.

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon in March or April. In 2016 it is on Sunday 27th March, which is also the same day as daylight saving time begins in the UK (British Summer Time) and all the clocks are put forward one hour. 

What is it? 

The resurrection occurred 3 days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans at Calvary and was anointed and laid to rest in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and a large rock rolled in front of it. On the third day God raised Him from the dead. The tomb was discovered to be empty when the women visited the tomb just before sunrise on the first day of the week. Angels appeared to them and told them that Christ had risen from the dead, not to be afraid and to tell the disciples. Peter, the most beloved disciple, ran to the tomb to find the folded grave clothes and the stone rolled away.

The belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the key to Christianity. It is the plan of salvation and redemption, the sacrifice was an atonement for sin. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John chapter 1 verse 9) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John chapter 3 verse 16).

Jesus appeared to the disciples and many people over a period of 40 days before He ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus first appeared to a woman, Mary Magdalene, and commissioned her to tell the disciples that He had risen from the dead. Jesus week later He appeared to doubting Thomas who had to touch Jesus’ wounds before he would believe it was Jesus risen from the dead. Jesus was not instantly recognisable after His resurrection and it took some moments before people recognised Him. Jesus said “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(John 20:24-29)

My faith

I know that because I believe that Jesus was the Son of God, that He died for me on the cross and that I have asked for forgiveness for all the wrong in my life that I will be with Him in Heaven one day. My life has a purpose. There is a reason I am here on earth and that is fulfilling God’s plan for me whilst I am here.  I have no desire to fawn over so called celebrities; I have no interest in becoming famous; I don’t need the latest fashion or handbag (although I will admit to a weakness for shoes!); I don’t want to go out and get drunk every Friday and Saturday night because it’s the end of the working week. There is more to life than work, shopping and alcohol – and it is found in Jesus. In the West merely using the word Jesus (in a religious rather than cursing context) makes people uncomfortable and shy away from being near you. That one word – Jesus- makes people think that you are some religious fanatic but the reality is that I am just like any other person with my successes, failings, inadequacies, skills, worries and joys and I swear (quite a lot sometimes) and say what I think always (which is not always welcome). I am the same on the outside as anybody else – what makes me different is my belief in the Son of God, that He forgives me and that gives my life a purpose.

How is it celebrated?

In the UK church services are held at sunrise to mark when Jesus was discovered to have risen from the dead. Other church services are held in the morning. There is a celebratory atmosphere with joyful singing that the Son of God has risen from the dead so that we may be with Him in Paradise. 

Families gather and have roast dinner together. Chocolate Easter Eggs are usually exchanged but especially for children. 

Most shops in the UK are closed on Easter Sunday. Shops in the UK are only required to close on 2 days each year – Christmas Day, when Jesus was born, and Easter Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead. 

The ‘Easter Bunny’ pays a visit in the early hours of the morning and leaves chocolate eggs lying around in the home or garden. Children excitedly hunt for them as soon as they wake up. Chocolate eggs for breakfast is common place on Easter Sunday!

Want to know more?

If you want to know more or, best of all, welcome Jesus into your heart take a look at http://www.crosscheck.org.uk for more information. 

Good Friday – The Crucifixtion of Jesus, Son of God

I write quite a bit about Hindu festivals in India, there are so many of them, but so far not written very much about Christianity. I have been asked lots of questions about Easter as we put up decorations inside the house and on the door. Zahra’s friends and the staff have been intrigued and listened intently to the gospel as I have explained about the meaning of Lent, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. There is genuine interest. It’s strange for me, coming from the west it’s extremely difficult to open a conversation about Christianity – people are just not interested in ‘Bible Bashers’ talking about their faith. Here, people are interested and ask about it and question. It took me by surprise initially and I tried not to look astonished at the open opportunity to tell the gospel. Now I am a little more prepared for the questions and just tell it how it is (yes, I know, nothing new for me there!). So this post is for those readers who don’t know much about Christianity, Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us all.
The Crucifixtion of Jesus, Son of God

Good Friday is the day that Jesus, the Son of God, and Messiah (Christ) was arrested, tried and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be flogged and finally handed over to the Jews who crucified Him. (It is established as a historical event from non Christian sources although among historians there is no consensus on the precise details of what occurred.) It is chronicled in the Bible in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

Jesus was stripped of his clothing and cruelly flogged. He was clothed in a robe of Royal purple and a crown of thorns placed on his head. He was beaten and spat on. He was then forced to carry the cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where He was nailed by the hands and feet to the cross and hung to be crucified between two thieves. The soldiers fixed a sign to the cross saying “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” in three different languages. The soldiers divided Jesus clothes amongst themselves, casting lots for His robe. Jesus offered words of forgiveness to His killers: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23 verse 34). It was Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness for all those who were involved crucifying Him and the Roman soldiers who carried out the actual crucifixtion.

The Thief

When one of the thieves who were being crucified with Him, asked to be remembered when Jesus comes into His Kingdom and asked for forgiveness of his sins from the Son of God, Jesus replied with words of salvation: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise”. (Luke 23 v43.)

Mary, Mother of Jesus

On seeing His mother, Mary, Jesus said:”Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” This was an instruction to His beloved disciple John to look after His mother and John took Mary into his family that day. Jesus was caring for His mother even on the cross, when He was in agony, His thoughts were for His mother. It shows the depth of Jesus love for His mother and for the disciple John into whom He entrusted her care.

Jesus’ Death

“Around the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, saying “Eli Eli lama sabachthani?” Which is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27 verse 46 and Mark 15 verse 34). This is the cry of the Son of God who showed His true humanity and felt forsaken by His father in Heaven. He was offered sour wine vinegar to drink when “He said, “I thirst”” (John 19 verse 28) . It was offered to Him on a hyssop branch to His lips. This fulfilled the phrophecy in Psalm 61 verse 21.

Jesus plan was fulfilled when He said “It is finished”( John 19 verse 30) – He had completed what He had come to do. Salvation was made possible. He had taken our place. His love was demonstrated by dying for us so that we may live – a sacrifice for all of humanity’s sins. Jesus last word on the cross were “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23 verse 48). He was reunited with God the Father. Mission accomplished. Darkness fell across the land and the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom.

After Jesus died the soldiers pierced his side with a sword to confirm that He was dead. After His death, Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of Jesus from Pontiius Pilate and placed it in a new garden tomb.

Jesus death on the cross was a knowing and willing sacrifice for the whole of humanity’s sins and make salvation possible. This is what is commemorated on Good Friday every year – the sacrifice that Jesus, the Son of God, made for all humanity.

Find out what happened next and what is celebrated on Easter Sunday in another blog post coming soon!

Our UK Holiday – Day 4 – Derby

Jet lag is not getting any better – I woke up at 4.30am this morning and I’m getting really tired now. Happily adrenalin and excitement at seeing friends, fuelled with plenty of tea, is keeping me going.

The Apple Tree

We picked up Zahra from her sleepover at Izzy’s and headed out to the Apple Tree tea shop with Sarah and Nick and the girls. A lot has changed in 6 months. The school mums used to meet there on Wednesday mornings for breakfast after school drop off and before starting the working day. It’s been a bijou tea and gift shop since opening. A major extension has been undertaken whilst we have been away and it is now twice the size with an extended menu and larger range of cakes including dairy and gluten free. I ordered toasted fruit loaf and tea with soya – a favourite of mine from here; Rez had a bacon and egg sandwich and Zahra had pancakes. Things that we can’t get in Bangalore. 

After a lovely breakfast and non stop chatting and catching up (we’ve missed them too) we had a look around the small gift shop full of beautiful things. Zahra chose a bath bomb to take back with us to Bangalore.

Hollies Farm Cafe

After taking our leave of Sarah, Nick and Izzy at their house we headed off to Hollies Farm Cafe to meet Carolyn, Hannah, Chris, Helen, Sarah and Evie. It was a lovely short drive through the Derbyshire countryside. The views across rolling green fields in beautiful and I have always liked it (makes up for not living by the seaside). Zahra was hugged and squeezed when we arrived – Hannah being the only friend not to have seen Zahra since we arrived back. It was lovely to see and gifts were exchanged excitedly. The girls chatted whilst we caught up with our friends too. 

Lunch order was difficult because there was such a choice but I went for a tuna mayo baguette with a side salad and sweet potato chips. Rez ordered cheese on toast – it’s the simple things we miss-  but this was the most enormous cheese on toast I’ve ever seen; doorstep size slices of bread smothered in a block of melted cheese. He loved it. Zahra had a jacket potato with cheese and beans and devoured it.

We chatted for hours drinking tea catching up and the girls played together outside – it was like being back home. When it was time to leave (the cafe was shutting after all!) we said our goodbyes. Zahra found it particularly difficult and was very quiet in the car afterwards. 

Zahra’s sad to be leaving her friends Hannah, Helen and Evie again

Popping in for a cuppa

 It’s perhaps a very British thing to pop round to a friends house for a cup of tea and a chat. We were invited to do so by our lovely friend Donna who popped into see us at the Easter Cafe at church on Saturday. We headed over to her cozy and warm house and enjoyed a cup of tea in front of the fire and chatted, all snug and warm. After an hour we took our leave and Zahra received the biggest bag of presents for us to take back to Bangalore (another 2.8kg we will accommodate in our extra luggage).

Donna and Zahra having cuddles

Dinner

After saying our sad goodbyes to Donna we headed over to Aaron and Lynne’s new home for dinner and a catch up with friends who really know what it’s like to live in a non Western country. Roast chicken dinner was delicious and the conversation was easy as Aaron and Lynne understood what life in Bangalore would be like. Cherena and Gladys joined us for dessert (after Rez ran down the road to their house and invited them up). Fresh fruit salad and Swedish Glacé (vegan ice cream) for me – refreshing and delicious. Gladys also understands what it’s like living in a hot country and dealing with animal incursions so it was good to catch up with her too. Zahra has missed Cherena (and vice verse).

At around 8pm, and after saying even more sad goodbyes, we headed back to Chez Dann for Zahra to be picked up for her third sleepover of the trip at Evie’s house. She was very tired but got her second wind as soon as she saw her friend and they had a lovely evening together. Rez and I chatted with Matt and Alex – planning her election campaign, but that’s a story for her blog here: http://independentalexblog.wordpress.com/

Our UK Holiday – Day 3 – Derby

Day 3

Woke at 3:30am again but this time I really couldn’t get back to sleep so eventually gave up.

Zahra’s Sleepover

After another delicious breakfast of bacon butties (and pancakes) we collected Zahra from her friends house around the corner. She had been for a sleepover. Sleepovers at her friends houses are other things she has missed – a lot. Zahra misses her friends. She loves India and the school and everything we do but she so does miss her friends. Michelle and Chris had very kindly given Zahra a warm coat as the one we had brought (the only one that fitted her) was too thin for this cold weather. She loves it. We walked to their house – because we could. Lovely smooth pavements and smooth well maintained roads. What a treat to be able to walk. Michelle and Helen also walked with us to church through Chaddesden Wood, a local wood. It was lovely. Birds singing in the trees, dogs being walked, muddy woodland paths and chilly clean fresh air to breathe. We walked through the wood chatting; it was as though we had never been away. It was lovely.

Woodlands Church on Oakwood

We arrived at Parkview School where the church meets to be greeted at the door with big smiles and a welcome greeting. I had forgotten we did that. That makes a huge difference and something I have clearly missed in Bangalore. The church there is so big and people arrive up to 30 mins late after the service has started – it’s completely different than the UK. Here everyone grabs a cuppa (tea / coffee) before he service starts and has a chat. It’s lovely to catch up with friends before joking together in worship. 

The leader called us to our seats and the service began. Real musicians (who also happened to be the church Elders) played at the front (rather than a recorded backing track) and we were led in the singing by the Pastor’s wife (I’ve never seen a woman involved in anyway in a service in Bangalore). It struck me immediately – only men lead at the front and take part in the church service in Bangalore. 

Another difference was the acknowledgment of the children. They are spoken to specifically during the service – on this occasion with how a chocolate Easter egg replicates the crucifixtion- and they are prayed for before they leave the main service to go to their groups. In Bangalore, after the singing, they merely dismiss the children into their groups. There is no talk for them or prayers for them. It didn’t sit well with me when we first arrived in Bangalore and made me feel uncomfortable that the children were not being prayed for – but I had got used to it and said my own prayers for the children as they left the service each time.

Today’s service at Woodlands was a communion service and it was lovely to be able to take communion for the first time in 6 months. The church in Bangalore does have communion services but they are after the break after the main service and is another service in the afternoon. After 2 hours in a hot church with several hundred other people I don’t have the stamina or willpower to sit through another two hours after a short break – so we haven’t taken communion. Woodlands have a short time of prayer before the breaking of bread and drinking of wine. A quiet time to contemplate, reflect and pray. After this the Pastor, Aaron, delivered the sermon; 20-30mins and to the point – Christ died for us sinners so that those who confess their sins and ask for forgiveness can go to Heaven. It didn’t take 2 hours to get that message across (and frankly nor should it!).

Tea, coffee, cakes and chat after the service catching up with our lovely friends before saying goodbye and heading back walking through the wood to the car.

NCT friends get together

We drove over to Littleover in Derby. It’s 16km /10 miles away and took 20 minutes. The roads were well maintained, traffic flowed in the same direction, no one was honking horns and no one was trying to create 3 lanes out of one. How refreshing. The same journey in Bangalore would have taken at least 2 hours. 

We arrived at the Heath family household to be greeted by the most delicious smell of roast lamb and pork. Sean came out and greeted us – it was so lovely to see him after such a long time. We headed indoors to find Alison busy in the kitchen and enough food for a week! Friends started arriving with even more delicious food and Zahra got more excited as her ‘lifelong’ buddies arrived. We know each other from the National Childbirth Trust (‘NCT’) classes we took together and have remained friends ever since. It was wonderful to catch up over a relaxing afternoon filled with food and laughter (and plenty of Prosecco). We did miss the Lyford family who are out in Thailand. Sean hid Easter eggs in the garden and the children hunted for ages collecting chocolate eggs from all over. They loved it. You’re never too old for an Easter Egg Hunt.

enjoying a brief break in the hunting and eating of Easter Eggs

  

NCT group selfie

Cheese and Wine with Jo and Christine

As the afternoon drew to a close and people headed home full of food (with take home bags!) Zahra headed off for a sleepover at her friend Isabel’s – so excited! Rez headed out to the cinema with friends and I headed out for a cheese and wine evening with Jo and Christine. We went to a pub in Shirley who do fabulous cheese boards, including goat and ewe cheese for me (being intolerant to cow’s milk). A cosy pub, a bottle of red, cheese board and fabulous friends to catch up with. We chatted and caught up with each other. It was a lovely relaxing evening with friends. A perfect end to the day. I felt like I was home.

Our UK Holiday – Day 2 – Derby

Bacon butties
We have really missed bacon butties (also known as sandwiches) so when we were offered them for breakfast it was a no brainer. Proper back bacon on freshly baked white bread with brown sauce. Delicious. We really enjoyed them. We really miss proper bacon in India and also freshly baked sliced bread (without sugar, which is added in India).

Tina and Mark at the Oak and Acorn

We met our friends Tina and Mark in the Oak and Acorn pub for a cuppa whilst they had breakfast. It’s a concept that is so far removed from Indian life it’s difficult to describe. I was taken to a ‘bar’ and it was a shack  at the side of the road in India with concrete floors and no chairs. Men stand and drink. There are no women. We did go to one ‘western’ style bar in Bangalore but it’s a trek to get there. There are other bars, there’s one next to the Persian restaurant in the centre of Bangalore but we’ve never been and if we talk to the other IAs they’ll no doubt tell us where all the other bars are but  that’s the point though – in the UK there are pubs everywhere, easily identified and kitted out and catering for families and couples to enjoy food and alcohol if they choose to. In Bangalore there are few bars that we feel we could go to but none are set up for families. It’s completely different.

 It was lovely to catch up for an hour with Mark and Tina on their own  for a while (although we did see them throughout the day at various points). It’s so nice just to chat with friends who understand you and you don’t have to explain everything you’re saying using different explanatory words (or indeed repeat yourself several times as you’re speaking English far too quickly). It was relaxing and easy and enjoyable.

The Sams Family and the chickens

We headed off to see Ben and Hannah, Esther and Noah and all the chickens they kindly agreed to look after as we headed out to India. They looked so fat! (The chickens that is). Zahra was delighted and chased a few around the garden before having a cuddle with her favourite one called ‘Sneaky’. She was disappointed though that they did not recognise her. She was reassured though that they were being well looked after and had a lovely garden to scratch around.

    
Eleri and Keith – roast pork with crackling chocolate brownies and custard

We headed off to Eleri and Keith’s. They have done so much to their house since they moved in – a phenomenal work rate. It looks lovely. We chatted and caught up in the new conservatory. It was lovely just relaxing with friends and chatting.

Zahra had requested a lunch of roast pork with crackling and was delighted when it was delivered. I don’t think I have seen her enjoy her dinner so much in a long time. She really enjoyed it. She was stuffed but still managed to make room for the (dairy free) chocolate brownies and custard Eleri had made. Topped off with a couple of glasses of Schloer and Zahra was complete. 

Easter Cafe

My gosh this was busy. The Easter Cafe is run by Woodlands Church on Oakwood (who meet in Parkview School). They provide free cakes and drinks with crafts for children and adults. It’s a fabulous community event. We had a lot of friends turn up to say hello but the Easter Cafe itself was a roaring success – it was packed! Lots of people coming in for tea, cake and crafts. 

We really appreciated friends making the effort to come over to see us. It was lovely chatting with so many people – even if we didn’t manage to spend as much time as we wanted to with everyone. It was great. It was a whirlwind for 2 hours.

Tom and Sue’s and England rugby

After heading back to Chez Dann for a quick turnaround to get Zahra’s overnight bag we headed out to Tom and Sue’s. Kay, Sarah and Heath, Tina and Mark were all there for a good catch up. Food just ‘appeared’ as did the champagne. (Clearly a lot of effort going on behind the scenes to make that seem less production happen). We sat and chatted for hours and watched Englad beat France in the Six Nations to win the Grand Slam. It was so nice to chat with friends and also just to be able to watch the rugby (having missed most of the 6 Nations tournament). We chatted all evening whilst Zahra played with her friends. After tea Zahra went to Helen’s for a sleepover too – she had a busier schedule than we had.

At around 11pm we called it a night as I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. We said our goodbyes and headed back to Chez Dann for bed, briefly seeing Matt before heading to bed.

The end of another lovely, long, tiring and very enjoyable day. We are blessed with truly wonderful friends.

Our UK Holiday – Day 1 – Derby

After an uneventful flight and travel up to Derby from Heathrow we arrived cold and very tired at Chez Dann in the afternoon. We huddled on the chairs trying to keep warm and stay awake as long as possible . Dinner of traditional fish, chips and mushy peas went down a treat. We all retired to bed immediately after, exhausted.

Day 1

Woke at 3:40am and stayed awake for a couple of hours before dozing again and knocking my iPhone onto the floor shattering the glass. Great start to the day!

Breakfast

Rez went to pick up the hire car and Zahra and I headed down for breakfast. Oh the choice! Zahra plumped for multi grain shapes and I went for toast. Toast – with sliced bread that doesn’t contain sugar and soya margarine. It really is the simple things you miss. Lovely cuppa too. Sat chatting with Alex over breakfast catching up was therapeutic- sometimes all that is needed is a ‘normal’ conversation to make you feel whole again.

Changes in the City

Rez returned with the car and we headed into town and parked in the Intu centre. Smooth, litter less roads without cows – what a treat. The first thing we noticed was that there is a whole new building gone up opposite the Intu and the old hospital has been demolished. We’ve only been away 6 months and there were big changes. No one was at the ticket machine handing us a car park ticket – yes we still could wind down the window, reach out and press that button – what a miracle! The lifts down to the shopping centre (not the Americanism of ‘Mall’) were not manned by someone pressing the buttons for you – again we seemed to manage this task without help, what a relief!

Walking through the Intu was revealing – lots of shops closed and the pretzel place has gone (much to Zahra’s disappointment – she was really looking forward to a pretzel). Outside the Intu even more shops have shut. It looked like a city in a recession but you know the economy is growing apparently. The high streets speak for themselves on that point. 

Vaccinations 

We headed into Manor Pharmacy for our booster jabs. The pharmacist greeted us by name – he remembered us. There was a reason for that we later found out. We filled in the forms and headed into the consulting room at the back. After taking our seats an apology ensued. There was a mix up just before we left for India which resulted in us missing one of our jabs. All fine but we would have to have it today, along with another set they had recommended but needs to be done now, not then. So we thought we were going in for a couple of booster jabs and it turned out we were having 4 sets of jabs, 2 in each arm. Zahra was brave bless her but she still cried – they weren’t pleasant to be fair. We all now have arms that feel they’ve been punched repeatedly. We have to go back again after 6 months for the final jabs. As RR only pay for one trip back a year (this one) that’s going to be an expensive set of jabs.

Treat time

We headed into the Intu to buy a treat for Zahra for being so good. She wanted a beef pasty from Birds (a Derby based bakery that do fabulous bread and cakes as well as pies and pasties). I have to say I don’t think I have seen her enjoy anything so much. “Mummy, delicious” was all we could get out of her. Again, something that simply doesn’t exist in Bangalore.

We headed into Lush and bought a bath bomb – again something that we have been unable to find in Bangalore. Baths are not usual in houses and apartments (everyone has showers in wet rooms) so there isn’t much of a market for bath bombs. Zahra loves to have a soak in the bath.

Meeting Phil, Emma and Phoebe – RR welfare

Sausage roll, chilli and chips – I kid you not. I couldn’t eat it all but it was delicious. It was lovely to see Phil, Emma and Phoebe, catching up, sharing our experiences and seeing how big Phoebe has grown! Rez also got to see lots of work colleagues in the welfare (the RR social club, basically a big pub , a great social venue and very popular on a Friday lunchtime).

Shopping at Boots and Costco

Now we had a long list of toiletries to pick up whilst we were in the UK so we headed off to Boots. Boots is a Nottingham based pharmaceutical company that has cornered the market in toiletries, make up and gifts ( as well as being a dispensing Chemist). They have a wide range of products and always have deals on. It was a good job they did have deals on as we stocked up on another 6 months worth of toiletries – it was a very large bill but received 25% discount in total. We will now be able to use lots a familiar products when we’re back in Bangalore. As well as having some suncream – which we are really going to need over the next few months as the height of summer see temperatures rise even further.

Derby Hockey Academy

Zahra was delighted we went to the Derby Hockey Club Academy. She used to play every week before we went to Bangalore. There is nowhere for her to play in Bangalore so she hasn’t picked up a stick for at least 6 months. She was so pleased to be able to join in and see some of her old hockey buddies and school friends again. The hockey academy is a great success. Derby Hockey Club started it 2 years ago and it has grown massively – there were so many children there, of all ages, enjoying skills training and running around having a quick game. 

It was freezing cold. Oh my goodness we were wrapped up but the cold went through to the bones. We were stood for an hour at the side of the pitch chatting (with me occasionally being called to assist) and froze. I was so glad to get into the car and start to warm up.

Church meet at the Oak and Acorn

We were now late for meeting up with the church folk (true Indian style) and when we arrived the pub was packed with all our lovely friends. It was a bit overwhelming and I had to take a few seconds at the door to compose myself. I really have missed them all so very much. The church we have been attending in Bangalore is a big one and despite attending for 6 months, and being the only white people there, hardly anyone has even said hello or introduced themselves. It is so vastly different from the experience we have at Woodlands Church on Oakwood, which is a small church with a very welcoming congregation and very active in the community.

I’m not normally a hugging person but everyone got a hug whether they wanted one or not! There was so much choice on the menu I struggled to choose but I eventually went with steak and kidney pie, mash, peas and gravy. It was delicious but I couldn’t manage it all.It was a lovely evening catching up and chatting with friends. Zahra fell asleep whilst I was eating – she was too tired for dinner herself – jet lag really kicking in for her. She slept on the seat whilst we continued chatting. 

We eventually headed back to Chez Dann and after putting Zahra to bed, chatted for a while with Matt and Alex in the kitchen. A long lovely day.

 

Suffragettes, Voting and Elections

I’ve just watched the Suffragette movie (on the plane) and it brought me to tears. It has always been a topic close to my heart. Too many times we take what we have for granted, especially in the West, and this has been highlighted to me over the last 6 months whilst in India.

Politics and Government

I studied a degree in Politics and Government at City of London Polytechnic (now London Guildhall University I think) which had the Women’s Library attached to it. 

I studied women in politics and I know about Emmeline Pankhurst, the Women’s Social and Political Union and that Emily Davison threw herself under the King’s horse at the Derby. Her sacrifice brought the world’s attention to the fight for votes for women. 

Suffragette- the film

Reading and studying about history and knowing what happened is important knowledge. Seeing the story of the fight dramatised on screen is entirely another. It brought it to life and made it real. The horrific, cruel and barbaric force feeding of the women in prison who were arrested for protesting. The way society treated them for fighting for their rights – their children were adopted and they were dismissed from jobs. Beaten by police in peaceful demonstrations. Stripped in prison. They suffered degrading and humiliating treatment for years so that women could have the right to vote. It was the sacrifice by Emily Davison that brought the world’s attention to their plight which led, eventually, to a change in the law. Women over 30 years old eventually were given the vote in 1918. 

Politics

I am sometimes occasionally political but mostly I don’t say as much as I want to; especially these days on social media where it attracts unwanted attention of the trolls. A couple of years ago though I was so incensed by the lack of choice and diversity in the local council elections I stood as an independent candidate. I had no hope of winning in a safe Conservative seat but that didn’t stop the attacks in the press and in social media, in leaflets and pamphlets. It was pathetic but I was flattered they thought I was a real threat. I was asked several times what I would do if I got elected and my answer was always the same ‘I have no idea!’ – I just wanted people to have a choice other than Tory, Labour, LibDem and UKIP – all of whom were fielding white old men. (I’m pleased to say I didn’t come last.)

Voting and Elections

I constantly get irritated when elections come round and friends and acquaintances tell me they “can’t be bothered” to vote and that all the parties are the same. It annoys me that people don’t use their right to vote. I impression on young people to vote, especially women, and tell them that women died so that they might vote. It is important. Change will never happen if you don’t get involved. 

Don’t think your vote counts? – Then demand proportional representation. 

Don’t like your local council? – then stand to be elected! You don’t have to be a ‘politician’ and it’s free – there are only forms to fill in. It costs nothing but your time. 

I won’t rant about Parliamentary elections – the change in the way elections (and parties) are funded needs a radical overhaul to allow independent and individual candidates to stand. Help should be made available for those navigating the system. You never see a job advert to become your local MP do you and I don’t see why not frankly. The fact that you can’t get rid of them when they’re doing a crap job needs looking at. Any other person would lose their job but MPs seems to be untouchable. I won’t go on as I will have a proper rant.

The EU Referendum

In the UK there is a referendum in June on whether we should remain within the EU. Living in India we have received and seen no information at all on the arguments for and against staying within the EU. From what we have researched there seems to be very little actual information and a lot of propaganda and scaremongering on both sides of the argument. It is frustrating that my generation and the younger generation, who have grown up within the EU, don’t have ready access to the information. The older generation will have their own memories of what life was like outside the EU, although the world has changed a lot since then. (I mean the World Wide Web was invented for a start (by Sir Tim Berners Lee)!)  

We will still be voting though. We have registered as proxy voters – entrusting our votes to a friend. It is perhaps a once in a lifetime chance to make a difference for future generations – whether that is in or out of the EU. Rarely do such opportunities arise. Scotland’s turnout for the Independence vote demonstrates that people really will go out and vote on matters that are important to them. I hope that the turnout for this referendum will be just as high, if not higher. Although, I suspect like most people, this is an unexpected opportunity that no one actually asked for.

Politics and Government today

I live in hope that politicians will see that people can be motivated when the issue is important and relevant to them. It is a shameful fact in our democracy (or elected dictatorship as I prefer to call it) that turnout in elections is so low. Governments of the day claim to have a mandate from the people when 2/3 of them didn’t vote for them. Turnout is only 2/3 of the entire electorate, if that. Every Government tries to cling onto power once they have it, by any means possible. There are always loud noises made when the constituency voting boundaries are changed and yet the recent change in the electoral register, which has potentially disenfranchised thousands, has pretty much gone unreported. 

Your vote matters

If you are of voting age make sure you are registered to vote. Make sure you use your vote in every single election. Postal vote if you can’t be bothered to go to the polling station on the day. Most of all, if you are really dissatisfied, please protest with your vote – deface it, scrawl on it and say what you think or go traditional and draw a dick. It will be counted as a spoiled ballot paper/ vote and that is important. Only when people speak will they be heard. You have a right to be heard – use it – because when you don’t have a right to be heard, you really notice it – trust me, I know.

Coming Home

I’ve tried not to get too excited, but I think it’s starting to show. It’s less than a week until we fly home to the UK for the first time in 6 months. 6 months. We will have survived, just, 6 months in this incredible country called India. I can’t wait to come home and have a break from the chaos of it all. 

Fresh Air

I’m looking forward to cool, fresh, clean air. I can’t wait to get off the plane and take in a deep lungful of chilly fresh air. The heat here is stifling at the moment. The air conditioning helps, when there is power of course, but it’s not the same. I want to feel that freshness on my face and that fresh air in my lungs.

Walking

I want to walk. Walk on safe pavements with no sudden deep holes, gaps, missing slabs, craters the size of toddlers, trees in the middle and electrical wires hanging down. Just smooth complete pavements. I want to walk across green fields, or walk to friends, walk around town… Just the freedom to walk. Walk without having to have your life survival skills on full alert as you dodge obstacles. Walk along a street because I can without being pestered and hassled. Walk without nearly passing out in the heat. Just enjoy walking for a change.

Peace and Quiet

Before that we will enjoy the quiet. The quiet of the smooth, straight roads. No horns honking, no vehicles weaving in and out, no dangerous loads, no one hanging off the back of vehicles, no bikers without helmets. Just quiet straight, well maintained roads that doesn’t feel like you’re off roading every time you go somewhere.

Food

I want to eat familiar food. Fish and chips, roast dinner, meat generally (which isn’t chicken or mutton!), sausages, bacon butties and a full English breakfast. I can’t wait for that. Zahra’s really missed Innocent Smoothies and red Schloer we discovered recently, although she keeps asking for a hog roast when we get back. Bread (without sugar!), ham sandwiches and sausage rolls. Zahra’s asked to go on a picnic when we’re visiting family in Southport. She’s missed that too.

Shopping

I want to go to a supermarket and enjoy buying everything in one place and having a familiar selection to choose from. A deli counter. Cheese. Crisps. Ham. Wine. Wine that is decent. Wine that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment. Oh, and Prosecco of course.

Toilets

I want to enjoy clean public toilets with loo roll and a seat. A public loo that doesn’t stink like a cess pit or look like Noah and the Ark have just sailed through. Sinks that have soap, paper towels and a hand dryer. Not needing to carry tissues, wet wipes and hand sanitising gel everywhere we go. Public loos – I’ll enjoy the fact that they are there. I’ll also enjoy not seeing men urinating everywhere. 

Indian life

I am looking forward to not being ill with Bangalore belly. I’m looking forward to drinking water from a tap and brushing my teeth without the need for a bottle of water. I’m looking forward to not seeing a mosquito and not having to cover myself in insect repellent every single morning. I’m looking forward to not having to put on factor 70 sun cream before I can walk out the door. I’m looking forward to not getting sunburn. 

Friends and Family

Most of all though I am really looking forward to seeing friends and family. 

Friends who have cared for us in practical ways by sending parcels (absolute lifelines for saving sanity here). We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of our friends. Every parcel really does make it feel like Christmas. Friends who are praying for us. Friends who have given moral support when I was struggling. Friends who have Skyped when we were really fed up. Friends who have kept us going when it has been really tough. Wonderful amazing friends. 

And of course I am looking forward to seeing my family. My sisters and brother, mum, nephews and nieces and cousins. We’ve got a lot to catch up on and a lot to talk about. As well as passing on all the kind messages from their friends here in India who we have finally had the pleasure of meeting. I can’t wait. I know my little sis is going to squeeze the life out of me when she sees me – they’re always big hugs.

The Return

Not long to go now and the suitcases are out. I’m digging around for some warm clothes, shoes (not sandals), socks and woolly hats. We’ll be leaving on Thursday. I can’t wait.

India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2015

What is this all about?

India is proposing a new insolvency and bankruptcy code. It’s all part of the “Make In India” campaign by the Modi government who are trying to attract businesses to India. There has been a move away from retrospective taxation too (although not abolished it yet I don’t think). 

Current law

It does not appear that there has been a single separate law for bankruptcy legislation in the country’s history. Currently / historically  the following have been used for insolvency purposes:

· Presidency Towns Insolvency Act 1909

· Provincial Insolvency Act 1920

· Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act 1985

· Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act 1993

· Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002

· Companies Act 2013 (also proposes a National Company Law Tribunal but is not yet in force)

There are also the Debts Recovery Tribunal.

 Progress

There have been 7 committee and commissions since 1964 recommending consolidation of laws (nothing moves quickly here!). Interestingly, it looks like there will be a system of regulation of some sorts for the first time as under the code, “insolvency resolution professionals” must be registered with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India. 

In November 2015 the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee recommended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2015 and in December 2015 the Finance Minister tabled the code at the lower house of the Indian Parliament (the Lok Sabha). The code will repeal the two Insolvency Acts of 1909 and 1920 and will amend the others listed above, if it gets passed. So far it is stuck in Parliament and was not passed in the winter session. The current session (Feb-May) is expected to pass it (as it was well received) – but has not done so yet. The papers reported it was stuck in parliament after Modi’s budget speech last week.

 Is it needed?

The banking system is under stress too with 29 state owned banks (consolidation anyone?!) writing off 1.14 lakh crore INR between 2013 and 2015. So the bankruptcy code will assist this by regulatory changes to speed up dispute resolution and renegotiation of contracts in Public Private Partnerships as well as assisting in addressing asset quality issues in the banking system long term.

 What next?

It will be interesting to see if / when it does get passed. India is very different from the UK. Politics really is the cult of personality here (there are posters of local politicians everywhere); corruption and bribery are big issues to be tackled still and the politicians are focussing on other issues, including alleviating the poverty of farmers at the moment (strikes last week brought the north of the city to a standstill).

It is interesting being an observer and not being directly involved. I wonder how much time insolvency professionals in India will be given to prepare for the change?

Conversion:

Lakh = 100,000

Crore = 10,000,000

INR 100= £1 (roughly)