Pure Bliss.....settling down in the cottage

26th Dec, 2009, late evening 11:30 PM
It is difficult to imagine now, but we had actually done so much preparation for this vacation. Sharmajee ney kaha tha, that there would be a cook but you will have to buy all the material, that you would want.

So, we had made distinctive lists, to be procured by each person, snacks, dry fruits, bakery ka samaan, Vodka and scotch, soft drinks, games to be played, kids activities, colour and drawing books, ration - ghee, besan, butter, cheese, jam, ketchp, sugar, tea, and what not, in fact any other thing you can think of. ) We were fully stocked for our stay there. While reaching there, we already told them to have few milk packets available there. There were two people to help us there, a cook, a young slow lad, who used to cook delicacies. And the other one, who primarily used to prepare the fire place in the evening for us and rest used to help the cook in cleaning up etc.

Just after arriving, we looked at the rooms. Our very own, seth-sethani stayed back in the ground floor bedroom and the lesser mortals, me and Jappi went to the first floor bedrooms.

Both the fellas helped us, fetch the luggage from the cars. While Tek Singh, the cook, started preparing tea/milk for all of us, we started getting our luggage opened up and freshen up a little after two day driving. The temperature was hovering around zero. The access from first floor to ground floor was from outside only. The stairs were in covered verandah, but still open to the chilling wind outside. They set up heaters in all our rooms and in living area as well. We got the fire started and the living area livened up. We had enough ration, but no vegetables to be cooked, so gave him some money and he fetched some veggies soon. It was fun time there, no laptops, no expected calls. Kids wre also enjoying like anything, while we havn't yet spent a day here.

Tek Singh came out as a good cook, although some of the things were not as per the taste, the ladies were looking for, so they were instructing him about masala and other preparation methodologies, usual you know )

All our preps about the ration etc came very much in use and right on purpose there. The kitchen was equipped with all that is required. The utensils were not the best and needed improvement. That's the suggestion we gave to Sharmajee as well on our way back.

After a sumptuous meal for the night, we succumbed to our beds. And yes, the cottage has three covered, and lock security parking's, so we could easily park our cars and sleep comfortably. Many a times, this is a problem in hills, so this was a plus point

We have 6 nights including today's and 5 full days ahead. And we have no itinerary at all, no set programs, no sunset point, honeymoon point, suicide point to visit at all. Just one thing in the wish list, alike for kids and parents- we want to build a snowman. Feels good, yeah.

See ya tomorrow.

Cheers.....