At Raj Nivas.

Our day started at 4, with Lekha's cellphone chiming away. The chores and we were ready by a half past 6. Kittu and the kittens were in attendance and Lekha had fed them before we cast off. As advised by my cousin's driver, I'd attempted a get away through the new exit beside the upcoming flyover at the kizhakkenada. It seemed to be too narrow for comfort and hence took the route via the Thampuraanpadi mukku-Kottappadi-Kunnamkulam-Thrissur.

But there was a slight mishap earlier as I scraped my Chevy's port bow on the embankment at the entrance of our gated enclosure and dampened my spirits. Lack of application on my part!

The exit from Thrissur was okay due to sparse traffic, being a Sunday. Breakfast was at the Saravana Bhavan at Paliyekkara. Saw the newly opened showroom, 'Wedlands', near the Haripad KSRTC bus station, which was inaugurated by superstar, Mammootty, a little while earlier.

Our lunch was at Hotel Annapporna at Adoor but I must confess it was because I'd missed the Padma Cafe! We reached Raj Nivas at a half past 2. The surroundings look nice as the weeds have been removed and the wild grass clipped.

Both of us had a good siesta and had a late tea around a half past 5. Spent time with my mom and dad to whom I'd explained the purpose of our visit and the duration that we were gonna be here. Heavy rain in the evening.

Lekha had recited the Ramayana and by this evening, she'd completed the 'Aaranya kaandam' (The longest of them all. She'd completed the 'Baala Kaandam' early last week). Tomorrow she begins the 'Kishkinda kaandam', which is the shortest of the chapters, as Lord Sri Rama prepares to go to Sri Lanka with the help of the 'vaanara sena'.

We'd got ready by 8, to go to my brother-in-law's house for dinner but after traversing more than half way through, it had to be aborted as a vehicle, in front of us, had crashed into an electric post and the post along with the overhead electric cables were on the road, obstructing traffic!

Lekha and I had returned and Lekha had deployed her contingency plan and we'd a sumptuous dinner of strawberry-flavoured Kellogs and bananas. 

Another of those vibrant yet quiet days!

Tailpiece.

The rains here seem to be heavier than what we'd experienced at Guruvayur over the last two days.