This has been a productive day in many ways. I did some exercises (that’s unusual) and walked around the garden. I resumed knitting the EPS – it’s delicious to have that yarn in my hands again. I’m pretty confident that I can have the sweater ready to wear when C. and I go on our little cruise in mid-October. I finished watching “A Suitable Boy”. I enjoyed it well enough, but it’s no Jewel in the Crown. I made myself an easy and tasty lunch from Jamie Oliver’s new book.

 

As a result of all of which, I am far too tired to attempt any Italian homework. The lesson is at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow. Last week I composed a couple of paragraphs about Fergus’ adventure. For tomorrow, I must at least equip myself with the Italian for “he’s had his stitches out”.

 

I told you, I think, that I was reading a short history of India. Well, I have laid it aside in favour of a book I stumbled upon called “Incarnations: India in 50 Lives” by Sunil Khilnani. It is just that: 50 relatively short biographies, in roughly chronological order, starting with the Buddha.

 

And I think it’s having some effect – bearing in mind that I start from a position of absolute ignorance. The Moghul empire is in the north. The Hindus are based mostly in Mumbai, to the west. The south is a bit of a mixture. Be that as it may, I’ll go back to the short history when I have finished “Incarnations” (which is a good read) and then perhaps go on to William Dalrymple and the East India Company. I am sure that the relationship between Britain and India is fascinating, and important.