Tuesday 3rd February 2026

I was up early as I had arranged to have an early breakfast at 07:30, because I had been told that the cleaners would arrive at my apartment at 08:00 sharp. In true Sri Lankan style, that 'sharp' went 'flat' and they didn't actually arrive until 09:00. However, once they did arrive, they really blitzed the apartment, which was so filthy that it took two of them two hours to get it clean again - plus they had the odd bit of help from their supervisor.

I was delighted to have a clean place to stay in, and this apartment is lovely accommodation in the most convenient spot for the school. I unpacked my stuff, but I forgot how low the door to the bathroom is and I cut my head quite badly on a really sharp crosspiece. I arranged for the maintenance men to take a look at the bathroom door, and they felt that the crosspiece wasn't an integral part of the door frame, so much to my relief they were able to remove it.

I had accumulated so much dirty laundry in the Hill Country (where there wasn't a washing machine), so I managed to get two lots of washing done this morning, as I wasn't called into school for a meeting until 15:00 with Ravi, the Managing Director, and Buddhika, their amazing Senior Consultant/Adviser (I don't know what her official title is, but she's absolutely one of the sharpest knives in the drawer, and a really delightful person to work with).

After the meeting I went shopping, came back and sorted out my washing, then Madam Sandra did come round to see me and we chatted on the balcony outside, with Razeena bringing us coffee and jaggery (a delicious sort of crystal fudge). By the time Sandra left, and I then had dinner next door at Razeena's, I could just manage my blog and my diary before yet another early night, as the heat here is astonishing and really saps the energy out of you.

Today's photographs show a few nice shots of everyone getting ready for the Sports Meet on Friday, plus a lovely one of Madam Sandra (known to me as 'Aunty') on the balcony, and one of the wonderful Razeena who gives me breakfast and dinner during the week.








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