Stuart and Fi set off on their short trip to Delhi and Agra this morning. We have had such a lovely time with them and we’ll miss them but look forward to seeing them over the rest of the year. We met them this morning at 830 for a final beach breakfast at Tantra before they headed back to Eve’s for their taxi pickup and we headed down to our sun loungers at Sea Front. The beach is so very quiet now. Hardly anyone left really especially compared to the busy periods earlier in the year. It’s nice actually.

We had a good day down there, lots of swims. The wind got up after lunch and my cough was turning into a cold so we headed back a bit early – 230.

I went across the road to the little beauty parlour and had my hair cut. Bob went back to the beach road to the barbers for a final shave and a haircut. Got to look smart for our return to Blighty!

Tonight, for our final dinner, we went to Dropadi in Palolem. Had sunset g&ts on the beach first, then got to our table about 730. Super view out over the beach and the usual very friendly and professional service there. I had the Seafood Tikka Sula which was massive prawns, calamari and chunks of kingfish cooked on the tandoori and served in a thick spinach sauce. It was gorgeous and came with a helping of rice. Total bargain for £9. Bob had chicken balti with a stuffed paratha and half of my rice. He also had the mega excellentt strawberry daquiri – undoubtdly the best anywhere in South Goa. It was the best possible end to our winter. I hoped I could make it to dessert like Stuart and Fi did last night….. but failed…..

Came back and bid farewell to Eva who was sitting out with her mum and her aunt. It was very lovely to meet the extended family.

Tomorrow we will have breakfast here and the cab will pick us up at 1015. Our flight to Delhi is at about 2pm. The hotel (Aloft, Aerocity) is sending a car for us on arrival. It’s only 3km anyway. It’ll be an early dinner and an early night. Our flight to the UK is at 0700 on Saturday morning, so an early start…. 4am. But we’ll be back in Folkestone by 5pm.

Some reflections on our winter coming in a last India blog. Probably Saturday evening…..