This picture of me was taken in September 1979 while sitting on the balcony of our little hotel, overlooking the ocean at Kanyakumari.
We’d been in India a matter of months and on my ninth birthday we were exploring Tamil Nadu. Mum and Dad gave me a watch, you can see it on my left wrist. Our family was Neil, Joy and three kids – Clifford (almost Enoch), Judson and Vanessa.
I loved getting that watch, my memories are strong. When visiting the ocean, we’d watch Indian worshippers, descended from all over the country, bathe in the holy waters at the southern most tip of India. At nine, that was all a mystery to me.
39 years later it’s my birthday again (care factor?) and we’re hopping on a plane for an all new Indian adventure, this time with a whole new crew.
Coming along are Neil and Joy, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They’re front and centre in this adventure as it’s because of their decision to move to India in 1979 that we all enjoy this wonderful heritage. Then there’s my Aunty Liz, my wife Mela, and our four kids Ataliah, Phoebe, Judson and Xavier. We wouldn’t want to stop there – my sister Vanessa and her husband Dan are coming with their three kids Cooper, Portia and Imogen, as well as Dan’s mum Elaine. Fifteen in all.
It’ll be a hoot and I look forward to sharing it with you.
