Sunday 21st January 2024

The key goal today was to enjoy my final day by the Indian Ocean, and to spend the time relaxing. Quite honestly, if you cannot relax here at Erica's, you cannot relax anywhere. Erica went off to mass at some unearthly hour, so I was able to get up late, and potter around getting my own breakfast, which consisted of some lovely papaya and pineapple with yoghurt, followed by toast and jam, with lashings of hot coffee to wash it all down!

I spent some of the morning watching some more of the Australian Open tennis, which will be the only time that I get the opportunity to do this, so I thought I might as well make the most of it. I rarely watch any television at all for the 2 months that I am in Sri Lanka, so it was lovely to watch a bit of sport. Erica has given me a huge amount of Maths resources to take with me to the Royal International School in Kurunegala, so I sorted those out whilst I watched the tennis.

Erica is also an avid tennis fan, so we had sandwiches for lunch whilst watching the tennis. Whilst she went upstairs for her afternoon siesta, I had a long swim in the pool, before heading out to the beach to enjoy the Indian Ocean for one last time. It was incredibly windy, so I ended up sitting at a beach bar, drinking arrack and coke and reading my latest John Grisham novel. It felt like a little slice of heaven really, as it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

I was out for almost 3 hours, so when I got back I chatted to Erica over a cold beer in her lovely lounge, before sitting down with her for dinner. She is a remarkable woman - almost 78 now - but so full of life, and with many a story to tell. I have been so blessed to spend these past 3 days with her in her beautiful home, and I certainly hope to return again one day. It is quite a journey here, and it will be a long journey back, but it is well worth the trip!

Today's photos are from my last day by the Indian Ocean.










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