Sunday 2nd February 2025

I have greatly enjoyed today, although it has felt quite surreal, as it is my first day in Sri Lanka this time when I have virtually seen nobody all day, as Sandra was away in Galle today, and Tharika and Evinka were out for the day with Maya and Kumari. I have actually slept for large parts of the day, getting up extremely late this morning, then going for 'a nap' at 15:00 this afternoon, and not waking up until 18:30, yet still feeling like I want another early night tonight!

I have put so much time and energy (including the 'emotional' energy, which I often fail to take into account) into my month with Tea Leaf, that it has left me pretty zoned out this weekend. I left Tea Leaf feeling pretty satisfied with all that I had achieved - I honestly don't believe that I could have given any more than I did, but also aware that I have been pushing myself much harder than someone who will be 67 next month ought to be pushing themself!

As well as achieving a lot with Tea Leaf over the past month, it was an incredible time, and it only confirmed to me that my core mission is still with them, although I am also thrilled to be able to support the Royal International School here in Kurunegala. Fortunately for me, nothing was planned for me this weekend, so I have had the whole weekend to recharge my batteries in between two experiences that are incredibly different, but both pretty full-on!

I basically 'pottered about' completely on my own all day, which is not something that I am used to, and I spoke to nobody, apart from Ranjith, the swimming pool attendant, when I swam my 20 lengths at 18:30 this evening, and a very brief conversation with Razeena on my return from the swimming pool, to establish what time breakfast is tomorrow morning. It will, indeed, need to be at 07:30, as I have to be in school for an 08:00 start, which I am already quite excited about!

I didn't take a single photo today, so I have selected a few of Sandra Wanduragala and her family, as she has been such an inspiration to me since I first met her a year ago. Please click on the link below to find a little bit about this amazing woman, who is only 6 months older than me, but has achieved so much in her lifetime - more than I could ever possibly imagine achieving in mine!

https://www.themorning.lk/articles/cKUpbQjExn6LjHd10W76









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