We’ve been coming here to Patnem since December 2010 with family and friends and made many new friends along the way. Inevitably at our age and sadly, we have begun to lose a few. Joe and Janet Dunlop. Eddie Padden. And last year, Marion….

We met Marion and her husband, Johnny, at Sea Front a few years ago. They always stayed there for about 6 weeks after touring somewhere beforehand. Last time we saw them in 2024 they’d just spent a week touring Bhutan. Marion was a beautiful woman and a very vibrant, interesting personality. We really enjoyed their company. We missed them in 2025 because we weren’t in Goa – they were, and it was after they got home that they found Marion was gravely ill and sadly she passed away.

Tonight we held a little memory ceremony for her at Sea Front organised by Joseph and her friend Jo. Rocky of course remembered her well as did many of the staff and the joined us. There was a poem that Johnny said indicated his feelings at the moment, their favourite song and people spoke of their memories. Rocky lead the staff in some prayers in Sanskrit. We all wore green or turquoise, her favourite colours. It was lovely, as it should be for a lovely person that we celebrated knowing even a little.

Afterwards we ate on the beach there, delicious palak paneer, prawn masala and a chicken masala on a pancake base. Their sauces are beautifully rich.

Back to Eve’s for a final Honeybee.

Tomorrow is our last night in Patnem this year. It’s zoomed by. We will be making the most of the day. As we try to do every day.