Picnic Hangover

It has been more than 36 hours since we returned from Lonavala, but the aftertaste of that trip is yet to leave many of us. The buzz this morning was all about who did what and when and how and where... the ones who couldn’t go being naturally curious. As a result, many incidents tend to get blown out of proportion, the narrator being understandably keen to make everybody else feel deprived. Such is human nature.
Nevertheless, the general consensus is that we couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable or better organized excursion and that Lonavala shall stand out in our collective memory as the benchmark for all future picnics. Now, who should take the credit for this is open to question. Of course, Shekhawat-ji took the initiative by tossing the idea at us, organizing the bus and stay, collecting cash, drawing up the itinerary, etc. He is one person we could lean on right through the trip and sure enough, he pulled it off in style, leaving no room for anybody to complain.
But then, if it were not for Kishor-bhai who came up with the information on our place of stay, would we have gone to Lonavala? In fact, at one stage, the idea was being abandoned when some people tried to play spoilsport. But Kishor, along with Shekhawat, revived the plans after making a few telephone calls. Yet, again, would they have gone this far, if it were not for Hari Nariyani to have ‘discovered’ this place for starters? He and Kishor had even done a recce of the place, a couple of weeks before we landed there. So mustn’t we be grateful to Hari-bhai as well?
You may put these thoughts in a pipe and smoke. Meanwhile, here’s congratulating Vasudev Bhatheja for turning nana. He distributed laddoos this morning to celebrate his daughter (who is based in London) giving birth to a girl child. Our good wishes go to the family.

Renu Babani says:
Yes, looks like the main topic for weeks to come will be the Lonavala Picnic. I don't think everyone thought they would have so much fun! We are back to our routine out here, but those good memories will always remain, etched in our minds forever. The joke of this morning came from Dilip. He said, "I have worn two different shoes!" No one would have noticed hadn't he mentioned it. We all had a good laugh ending the exercise on a high note!
--Renu