These have been our last two days with Stuart and Fi in Goa this year. Tomorrow they depart from Goa to travel to Mumbai and then a fabulous route out through the Far East to the Japanese Islands ending in Tokyo. Obviously we will miss them very much, our daily breakfasts at Sea Front and daily chats and evening dinners…. but also can’t wait to hear all about their stops and visits.

Yesterday and today were total Patnem beach days. It’s extremely hot at the moment. We are either in the sea, the shack or under umbrellas. The sea is mega warm and pretty calm.

Last night we ate at Ciarans in Palolem. A goodly crowd for dinner and to hear the Italian singing couple. They are so versatile and really nice people I had the roast pork which was sumptuous and even had crackling. Bob had mushroom risotto which was lovely but would have been better described as a cheese risotto.

Tonight we all met up at Sea Front by 6pm. Some had stayed down there all day. I just can;t do it. By 4, the sand, the salt, the sweat and the heat are just too much and I have to go back and shower and rest up… and then come back again. We all lounged around one of the cushioned sections of the shack, drank gin and cocktails. Later we went down to our table on the sand for dinner. I had prawns shikwa which was really prawns masala – yum anyway. Bob had chicken balti with an aloo paratha. Really nice meal in great company with much laughter and chat.

On a brighter front, Daisy’s Indian visa was approved today so we will be welcoming her here for 3 weeks next weekend.