The Lion in his Lair

A lot of us who know fr. Robin have associated with him over the camps he used to run in Khandala. A few weekends ago just after Childrens Day I happened to be in Khandala along with two other friends all intent on a camping scene in the hills but we were met with some unexpected weather and the light November rain became incessant as we tried waiting it out. Now with all the woods and grounds wet we weren't quite prepared for this situation and I decided to play the Ace up my sleeve!

These friends I was up with were game for camping out in the mountains. They're not walkers by any measure however ones a biker gal and the other produces Electronic Dance Music and is a cyclist. I simply love Khandala, even if I don't do much out there except for soaking in the outdoors or drinking beer at the local bar. I figured I would wake up in the wilderness and go find Fr. Robin the next day as he completed his Retreat before heading back to Bombay. The crazy weather forced my hand and I messaged Fr. Robin and asked him if we could meet up earlier and if there was room for 3 stowaways. That was all! As we finished a lazy breakfast at Shivlaxmi (the only snack bar that offers a view of the Sayhadris while you eat) and moved on to the next course that includes a healthy serving of Liquid wheat.

Gupshup has a room that offers a view of the lake, but for some reason it was closed so we wentand sat in the next room which proferred a view of the Mumbai Pune Express Way. Vehicles zipping back to Bombay had their foglights on and high beams painting designs as they swerved through the rain. The five blades on the ceiling fan was superflouous out here in Khandala, but would be a cool thing to have at my home back in Bombay. My mind refocussed on matters close at hand and after a couple of hours spent at Gupshup pondering our next move and way forward we stepped out into the open once more. There was a light rain in the air as I met an old friend who drove us to Bandra Villa as St. Stanislaus Villa is reffered to in Khandala.

It was well after Lunch and we let ourselves in through the gates and docked our bags in the front Porch of Fr. Robins Room so he'd know we had arrived and we took a walk along the Reservoir wall. We opened up our foam mat and sat down in the middle of nowhere surrounded by just water, bush and patches of sky visible through the gaps in the trees and mountains taking in the view as small birds and squirrels darted from tree to tree. An hour later we went back to the villa and met Fr. Robin over tea and biscuits. He made arrangements with Fr. Huan to house us for the night and we chose to cook our own dinner as we had all the makings in our bags. The next afternoon as my two friends still slept I led 4 youth into the mountains beyond the villa snaking through tall grasses growing along the slopes that led higher up into the Range we knew as The Sausages. The first Hilltop we were told is Barometer Hill and so called because when clouds touch the peak it rains in Khandala. The 4 novices came running down the mountainside in glee as I called out to them and we headed back to Camp.I was out of shape and out of breath so instead of holding up the rest I let them run ahead as I pointed the way. Although they may soon be men of the Cloth I felt like Moses who led the people to the promised land. I managed to have a long chat with Fr. Robin before it was time for lunch and we packed up our bags and left.