OUR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY TO INDIA

By 10am on the first day of Holiday at Home, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and expectant our virtual travellers to India had arrived at St Mary’s, eagerly awaiting the take-off on our three-days’ holiday in India.
 
A turbaned gentleman, Raj, greeted us, ably assisted by a number of church members, with whom we registered.  Refreshments were laid out waiting for us and a good holiday atmosphere pervaded the café and arrival area.  Pictures of India and quiet Indian music helped us to absorb the mood of our ‘journey’.
 
Raj welcomed us with ‘Thought for the Day’ and then explained where passengers for particular places had to take their seats.  Destinations varied to suit all tastes: flower arranging, painting, carpet bowls, a talk as an introduction to India and Fire & Food.  The latter sounds like barbeque, but it was with a great difference.  The cooked meat was melt-in-the-mouth, and was not charred.  It was enhanced by smoke and Simon’s mixture of herbs and spices.  I salute you, and appreciated your instructions as to how to build a tandoori-type cooker, using plant-pots and a cutlery drainer!
 
Alongside all the talks and picture shows on various subjects there were opportunities for quiet moments with Sudoku, word searches and jigsaw puzzles provided.  
 
The food on our journey was a triumph of catering by the team and I was pleased to say it was not virtual food! The final lunch was the ultimate triumph of preparation and organization, as well as being superbly presented. 
 
Thank you to everyone involved in the organization of the holiday.
 
There’s only one question many people are now asking: “Where are we going next year?”
 
Joan Gilbert