A couple of unusual things happened today. The first is that I went for a swim; I don’t swim much these days as my orthopaedic surgeon suggested that it probably wasn’t the ideal exercise for a replacement knee and I’m not about to argue with him. The sea here looks wonderful but the beach shelves steeply and there is a strong undertow so it had to be the pool. It was most wonderfully warm to dive into but refreshing at the same time and with every temptation to linger in the water unlike at home. I swam a couple of times and lay in the shade in between but it was soon too hot so we retired indoors.
In the early afternoon I had a massage, a completely new experience for me. Mrs Sixwheeler says I’ve been a bit stressed so we arranged for me to have a head, neck, shoulders and back massage at the resort’s Ayruvedic Centre.
At first the masseur attacked my head with great vigour, to the point in fact that I was concerned that he would rub away the little hair I have left; by way of poking me on the head and in the ears he moved on to neck and shoulders, in each shoulder he found knots like golf balls and worked enthusiastically on them and finally down my back.
This lasted for half an hour by which time I felt both battered and bruised; I was told not to take a shower for half an hour. Walking back to the cottage I probably looked like a drunk, I certainly felt like one. Once back I fell into bed and fast asleep. Waking some time later I still felt distinctly out of focus and was soon asleep again and not really much use for the rest of the day, which is why this blog is being done a day late.
This morning I feel much better, it hurts to raise my arms above shoulder height and I’m glad not to be carrying a rucksack as even the weight of a camera on my shoulder is painful today.
I know a lot of people like these “different” therapies, personally I’ve always been a bit sceptical. I’ve tried this and didn’t enjoy it so won’t be doing it again.
Later in the afternoon I felt well enough for yet another delicious plate of Keralan vegetarian curry so things are now getting back to normal.
Here are a myna bird, lizard and coconut grove to set the scene of where we are staying.
19 March 2015
The Sixwheeler Chronicles 
Hopefully, once the tenderness subsides you’ll feel better than ever!
I’m not holding my breath, nor making that mistake again! Yes you’re right the pain will go but next time anyone does anything like that to me it will be a properly qualified and registered physiotherapist. Problems with communication probably didn’t help matters. And you can’t get a proper biscuit anywhere down here, talk about getting me grumpy!!!!! On 22 Mar 2015 09:51, “The Sixwheeler Chronicles” wrote:
>
Ah dear AND no biscuits! You’ll be glad to get home!
We have loved following your adventure. The photos are stunning! It looks and sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Hope the pain is gone by now and you are back to your cheery and spritely self. Enjoy the last days of India and safe home!
Hi Rick , Grizz here, I think the birds are as follows 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Indian Myna 3 Pond Heron 4 Jungle Crow, That’s the best I can do.Glad that you both are having a great time.
Sent from my iPad
Simply amazing pictures, but the massage sounds like hell. Glad you made it home safely (no suicide pilots). Where are you headed next?
As it happens I’m mostly recovered apart from continued pain in one shoulder but I’m getting there. Won’t be making that mistake again!
For the future I’m having a week on the Isle of Skye in late May / early June, then a week in Tuscany in July with a weekend in Wales as soon as get back from Italy. Don’t know if I will be going to France this year after everything else, depends on bank balance! When are you back in France, cycle trip isn’t it? Tour de France?
Tuscany in July = hotter than India in March. Speaking from personal experience. Early October is the time to go.
Temperature not a problem, humidity is!
Ha! Yep. Look for me in the yellow jersey. Headed back in mid-June. I actually have a part time job in Paris, so now I have a “real” reason to commute back and forth. (This makes Superman feel a lot better!) I will be working a bit and then cycling the Loire. All told will be in France for a month.
Still reeling from this premeditated tragedy. On my flight back to the US, I was traveling with a group of 50 high school students, who had been in Rome to sing for the Pope. They sang for us twice during the flight. I can’t get them and those students, their parents and all the others who perished out of my mind…and those awful final 8 minutes…
Whoops! That reply was meant for Mel over at France Says…don’t know what happened :-(