At Kochi.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha’s cell phone alarm. We went through our chores and kicked off from The Quarterdeck by 8’ to 6. Rain had stopped by then. Kittu wasn’t there to see us off though Chakki and Manjakkandan were at the balcony.

The journey through Chavakad and beyond was peaceful with no sign of rain. 35.7 km from our porch we turned on to the Moonnupeedika-Potta road and reached Ananda Bhavan at Chalakkudi by a half past 8 to have a Combo, shared between Lekha and me.

We’d reached Panampilli Nagar by about 10, when the Chevy’s clutch developed trouble and was stuck. Luckily, like godsend, Commodore Mohan Ancheri and his brother-in-law, Babu Abraham were sighted right in front of the car. We got dropped at the INCS complex and they were off on their way. Damn sweet of them!

Our Chevy was emptied and we’d put our luggage in the Zamorin suite of the Engineer Officers’ Mess. She was parked in front of the Kairali Apartments! Had spoken to Mohan, my mechanic at Kottarakkara who dispatched Monish, pronto, for defect rectification. 

We’d picked up grocery and wines, Lekha had gone for her 12 o’clock appointment with Flory while Murali dropped me at Oottupura, the eatery. After Lekha’s return at 4, we did three other jobs before getting back to the Engineer Officers’ Mess.

And thereafter, to a lovely evening with Murali and Radhika at the NOI premises.