St Mary’s Islands, Karnataka: India’s piece of Madagascar
St Mary’s Islands in Karnataka is home to massive basaltic rocks that formed millions of years ago, when Madagascar split from India. It’s a blazing hot February afternoon. The summer sky is a clear, gemstone blue, and the sun is white, blinding. A gentle sea-breeze soothes my heat-flushed cheeks. I am at the coastal town of Malpe in Karnataka, about … Read More
A walk to Eel Tarn, Eskdale, Lake District
Eel Tarn, a glacial lake on top of a hill in Lake District’s Eskdale, is as beautiful as they say it is. The village of Boot in Eskdale is a hub for hikers and mountain-walkers, providing a gateway to some of Lake District’s most spectacular fells. But an injured foot meant that I could not take on a long hike. … Read More
Blea Tarn, Little Langdale: A Lake District gem
Blea Tarn in Little Langdale is probably one of the most spectacular lakes I’ve ever seen. It’s a place that’s hard to describe without using one too many adjectives. The tarn is not the easiest to get to: though it was only an hour away from Ambleside, where my partner and I were staying, the drive was fairly tricky, uphill … Read More
Piddington Circular Walk, Oxfordshire
The Piddington circular walk is a varied but easy walk in rural Oxfordshire. The 6-mile route takes you through vast grazing lands, dotted with placid sheep and somewhat suspicious cows. The path follows the slope up Muswell Hill, one of the highest points in the Cherwell District, which overlooks the gentle, rolling slopes of the valley. My partner and I … Read More
Bourneend to Little Marlow Walk: A day out in the Chilterns
The Bourne End to Little Marlow walk takes you through the peaceful Spade Oak reserve and stunning Thames valley views. It’s a quintessential Chilterns walk, one that I’ve gone back to over the years. I was introduced to the concept of circular walks a few years ago when I moved to England. One of the walks that I’ve grown particularly … Read More
A walk in the neighbourhood: Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
One of the things I love most about muggy, overcast days is that all the colours of the earth below seem richer in contrast to the grey skies. The grass looks greener, the daffodils brighter. As I lock the door of my house to step out for a walk, I notice that the pillbugs that are usually near the rose … Read More
How birding helped me cope with the COVID-19 lockdown
A short essay on how birding helped me stay sane during the lockdown in the UK and took me through the seasons of almost an entire year 🙂 It was a lovely March afternoon when I found myself standing under a gigantic horse chestnut tree in the middle of the Cherry Hinton Hall park, with tears running down my cheeks. … Read More
What is art?
Elitism in art has always amused me. A lot of artists are annoyed nowadays that platforms like Insta juxtapose what’s considered “real” art against amateur (and sometimes, more popular) art. The truth is that a lot of artists like to consider themselves as “true” artists. Specific types of art are held in contempt. There’s so much hierarchy that’s crept in. … Read More
