Day 7, 8

Jodhpur is an amazing city but very polluted, very hot and very busy. Cows wandering amok and camels pulling carts through the street. It is like going back in time a hundred years. We continue to be the source of much amusement and Fern continues to be constantly photographed. Our accommodation is very basic and the air con only works if you stand an inch in front of it.
During the night we had to cover ourselves in water to keep cool. I thought at one point, sod this, and have booked us into a 5 star palace for the weekend, which proudly advertises its 'whimsical swimming pool'. - can't wait! I know it is cheating and a bit pathetic, but so am I.

The family running the guest house are lovely and very helpful. Our host is clearly a gay man but is apparently unable to share this news with his wife. With my history of outing my friends, I am sure I can help him with his journey before we leave. The girls have befriended 'Chilli'the house sausage dog who follows us around. We miss Ruby!
Got a horse drawn cart to take us round all the sights. I spent the whole time worrying about the health of the horse and at every stop we bought the horse a bottle of mineral water; the driver was bemused. Why is it all the best tourist attractions involve cruelty to animals? Dancing bears, c*** fighting.....

The Maharaja's palace was incredible, he likes salmon fishing in Scotland apparently, and the view from the fort was amazing - a sea of blue houses for miles and miles. We visited a temple and had to take our shoes off. In Carrie Bradshaw style I was most worried about mine getting nicked so spent most of the time keeping a close eye on them. Am not ending up with size 7 flip flops!
Last night we ate on a roof terrace in a beautiful restaurant called Indique - above a haveli - will go back there. Rufus got pissed on Kingfisher and befriended the owner, so I think we have to.
The girls are showing signs of developing real compassion - nothing makes Clover happier than a stray dog having something better to eat than a plastic bottle, and Fern points out all the cows that have some shade. It might be tokenistic sympathy, but it is a good start.
The weather is verging on the ridiculous - 42 yesterday and hotter today I fear. Where is the monsoon I was promised? We get cranky but are learning how to manage it. The trick is not to do too much each day, but typical me wants to storm out each morning with a guide book and a bottle of water. I need to chill out a bit. Am learning to be still, as the Eagles advised in their best track ever.