The Hilly Solitude - Day 14

It’s amazing how you can visit a particular place innumerable times and yet you keep finding new surprises. Or maybe it’s just me! So, I was walking along the Camel back road again this morning and I noticed - there is this particular house on the valley side which has got a life-size chess board decorated on its terrace! So, each of the pieces are at least 3-4 feet in height, so I assume you would have to carry them over to play your moves. How cool is that! Even though I have walked almost daily on this road, for the past fortnight, I still love it. Hence followed another walk down the same road this evening. I was just aimlessly strolling on the Mall road and suddenly met Dhruv. Had a quick Chick-Chocolate special Spanish hot chocolate with him. Then I went on to enjoy my solitude and found myself slurping up a wild mushroom soup whilst looking over the valley. I was back in the Camel back road. Again. Every time, a new bird, a new flower, a new tree or even a new house definitely welcomes me here. A tiny monkey hanging from the electric wire made me laugh out loud this time.

A silent promise to the whispering Oak

And even if there is nothing new; even if it is the same snow peaks in the horizon, the same old oaks, the same curvey valley, I am still equally amazed. The big tower from the top of Landour looks down on me, the Nag tibba peak calls out...I feel wistful...I'm sitting in the Hawa Mahal now and I realise, I have fallen in love with everything in this little town of Mussoorie - the queen of the hills. It has started growing on me and I don't want to leave! I was sat on the terrace this afternoon, soaking in the warm sun, looking at the swirly roads, smiling at the overpour of greens and the restless chirping, counting the quiet blessings of the mountains and I knew I can’t say goodbye…

A vented-bulbul couple on the Camel Back Road!
Loads of other black birds, flinches, barbets and laughingthrushes
escaped my silly camera...