"Love Boat" on Feb 14th!

Last Valentine's was marred by the only tummy bug of the entire stay and a Greyrocks celebratory meal at Dropadi was postponed. As plans emerged for the next "Office Outing" we realised we would be on board during the day of the upcoming 14th and unappreciative of a good meal on the evening that followed! So as we walked off for a lunchtime stroll down the beach a few days before we made an impromptu decision to go there then - in spite of Bob being bare-chested, and there being no special occasion. It was, as ever, a wonderful meal with good wine, attentive service and a lovely view!  The crab masala came served thus, so in paying the bill (expensive  for India) we declared it a Valentine substitute.

What did happen on the day itself was a near-annual day out on Betty's Boat Trip. Greyrocks has done this around six times - but not since 2015! The other four Office regulars were keen to repeat and back in Benaulim Nick and Theresa and friends were not averse, so we booked two taxis to transport us, Kay, John, Pat and Norway Dave (all veterans) up to Mobor for a 9.30 start. There we met and made introductions and three went upstairs on the boat and the rest of us made an impact on the lower deck! The nature of the trip and its amazing value has been described here before, but this TripAdvisor review does it well! .. except to say how lovely the prawns and then the fish are!! And the women were given a rose in recognition of the date!

We were disappointed that the silting of the river mouth, the tide and the wind meant we didn't get out to sea for dolphin spotting, and that the bird reference books weren't evident this time (nicked??) , but Nick had a very good one of his own, there were other twitchers amongst us and binoculars were supplied.  We were shown the fish to be cooked for us and it was not a kingfish. Our restaurateur fellow-traveller declared it to be a "reefer"; leading to a lot of silly remarks about smoking it! (The booze had already started flowing!) Even with only an average wildlife viewing the chugging down the river, the wonderful food and the sociability makes this a "must-do" for Greyrocks and friends, but if considering it have a look at this other perspective.

On the way back bets were made on who would fall asleep, but no-one did (even Ruth), and we adjourned to UTI for daiquiris and wine, followed by supper of a ten rupee packet of crisps.  Memories are made of such days!