Liz, you paint a wonderfully vivid picture of life in Amarpurkashi. It sounds like you're having a really interesting time - what an experience. Of course, I particularly envied you the train ride there! I especially enjoyed the description of the daily routine - it's those kinds of detail that it's easy to forget, but they're actually more important than the 'Taj Mahal' moments. And I was windering how much do people in the village know about life in England - are they curious and how on earth do you begin to describe it? I wonder if any of them have relatives living in England - I hear Indian people here sometimes talking about their villages back in India.

All is well here. We had a glorious day yesterday, Saturday, gone off today - it is England! Spent much of the day in the garden, maybe the last time for this season? Liz and Bob came last night and stayed over - they send their love; Liz read and enjoyed your blog. So, please keep the blogs coming, though I know it's hard when you've got to get yourself off to Chandausi to get on line.

Take care. Love you, Dad xx

The project sounds amazing, and it is obviously a whole new Liz Doel, getting up at 5.30 and going to bed with the sun and a variety of insects. We have just had a whole different weekend, luxuriating in the warm embrace of the Cae Mor in Llandudno. Stolls along the prom and sea views, balmy weather. Tea and cakes with the National Trust at Bodnant. We gave Deganwy a wave in your honour, but played no beach games. We need our Karen for that! Much love Mum xxxx

Hi honey, finally found 2 seconds to whizz through your blog - great pics and already a hilarious, enchanting catalogue of events to reflect on. And recalled so eloquently - this would make a great book - Michael Palin eat your heart out! ' can't wait for the next installment! All fine here and so glad you got to meet Arthur before you left - he seems to be doing everything he's supposed to a growing up so fast - 6lb 11oz already! Anyway, take care out there and keep blogging! Loads of love Anna Tobes and Arthur xxx PS will email you some pics to entertain!

Hey Liz.

Finally got round to adding to your blog (also my first blog). Well, if ever the term 'in her eliment' was created for someone, it has to be you, and you certainly are. Have to say your blog entries are superb. You write them so well they make me feel like i'm there, seeing what you see and experiencing the highs and lows of India. Well impressed with your Bollywood offer, watch out Shilpa Shetty, our Liz is on the case, I knew it would not take you long to charm India. Was worried about you when I heard about those bombs but your organised manner never fails as your blog soon reassured us all that you were fine...thanks for that.

Musophobia is what you have liz if you got that hysterical seeing that mouse. I know I shouldn't mock but you have to see the funny side. I offer good therapy rates with 'cure or your money back' offer.

Take care liz, blog again soon. xxxx

PS. Look no exclamation marks!...oh!!...well I did try but it was too hard!!!

Hi everyone. So so lovely to get your messages! Sue, its great to hear from you and am very interested to hear that Abi is a budding journalist; travelling would definitely provide good material for her one day! Lee, I loved your bit about the wishes comes true (Dad have you seen that!). I have to confess to not having seen as many monuments as I would like, too busy trying to get the blasted internet to work!, but I will be back to Delhi I hope. Glad you are enjoying the book Vick, have some great memories (and photos) of that day too. And Luke/Monika, you are so right about the kindness of Brits too (just see my first entry!). Would love to write more of a reply to you all, but have already spent 90 mins updating blog, so think it probably time to get back out there!!! (am going hell for leather with the !, after showing, what I think is, remarkable restraint in my blogs!!).

Much love to you all XXXX

Alright Liz

Glad to hear you are OK matey, we was a bit worried. Sounds like you are being very adventurous anyway, well done, I scarpered out of Delhi to the countryside after a few days, think you are a lot more tolerant and easy going than me. Really nice you are able to keep people in touch, been good to hear what you are up to, and you've written some lovely things. Good to hear you being positive as well about people's kindness, but reckon there's a lot of kindness in this country as well matey, in fact everywhere and in everyone, just maybe comes out in different ways eh? Thanks again for inviting us over for your leaving do, was great to see you and we and this country misses your goodness!

Take care of yourself.

Hi Liz,

Still enjoying the blog. Thought you wrote really well about the slums, it made me think about space in a new way. I saw the bombs on tv but didn't realise you were travelling to Delhi so soon. Thought you were still in Mumbai. Glad all ok -I got a shock when I realised you must have arrived on the day they went off. Anyway lots of love and looking forward to next instalment.

PS Reading the road home by Rose Tremain and really enjoying it-I bought it when we went to Greenwich xxx

Hi Liz

Glad you are OK .

Heard about the bombs, but obviously not aware of your whereabouts. I hope you don't have to leave Delhi early, because it will be quite nostalgic reading your descritions of some of the monuments and buildings. I hope you get the opportunity to visit Gandhi's tomb, but especially a place called the Qutab Minhar, a minaret. There is an allegedly magical pillar - you place your back against it and join your hands around it, then any wish you make will be granted. It doesn't make any difference if you are 7 feet or 3 feet tall. I just managed to make a wish and it was partly granted - Thatcher was replaced as PM, but unfortunately by another Tory pillock, Major. There's so much to see there...

Looking forward to reading your next blogs and I hope your stay is peaceful and that the accommodation improves.

Lee

x

Hi Liz,

Really enjoying your blog - you write really well, very evocative, makes me feel I'm there, too. I'm reading it on my balcony in Tbilisi sipping a red wine - Saturday evening and on my ownsome - and your blog made me feel like I wanted to start one up, as well (but I won't!) Your 'Kindness of Strangers' entry was inspiring and, without being too down on us Brits (cos we are a bit expert at that) I do think you're right that it's not easy to imagine that happening often here - and, of course, if it did, it could only be Sheffield!

There, I've used my two exclamation marks. I feel I must set the record straight in the Great Exclamation Mark Debate - it is not entirely family myth. To me is entrusted the Christmas round robin. The deal is that it is no more than half a side of A4 and that there's nothing in it that would attract the attention of Simon Hoggart (you know, "Tarquin, though not yet 3 yrs old, has won the under-5 reading competition at his local private school"). I was, nevertheless, told that I had a tendency to overuse said exclamation mark and was sort of (note deference to youth idiom there) restricted to two exclamation marks. Hence years of subsequent family teasing for Jan.

Got the text from Mum that all well and you're not involved in Delhi bombings - so cut off here, I hadn't even heard about them to worry yet, so it was good to have that pre-empted. Can't wait for your next blog, Liz.

Love, Dad. xxx

PS All remarkably normal, by the way, here in Tbilisi - I imagine it feels rather different outside the city.

Hello Liz, this is your cousin Sue, desparately trying not to use exlamation marks! - hell, one slipped in! - and another one :(

Anyway - I am very impressed by your blog, so thought I ought to post a message to tell you that - and also, any excuse to do my first ever blog post will do.

Daughter Abi is a budding journalist, so will be using you as a good example of "use of English"! - there's another one :( Both girls will be interested in your blog I think - though wouldn't want to encourage them to follow you out there just yet.

We're very envious of you and your travels - and will enjoy keeping up with you by way of the blog. Do keep finding time to post all your news and photgraphs. Will re-blog soon.

Sue

It's a myth, folks! My family are just teasing me like they always do!! I love all punctuation marks: the colon especially, but exclamation marks are handy! useful! and altogether lovely!!! I think we should work on more in the way of semicolons; Lynne Whatsit where are you when we need you? And reading your terrific 'blog', Lizzie - well, we really need mark there is, don't we!!??....(Auntie Shirley, I'm sure you can contribute to this!) Love MUMxxxxxxxx

Hi Everyone!

Thanks so much for the great messages from you all! I love getting them and appreciate your all reading my waffle.

It's really funny Lee aI was just thinking of you today and hoping you would get in touch and give me your critical opinion! I will let my Mum explain her aversion to these!!!

XXXXXXX Liz.