Into the interior

Today we left Hambantota on the southern coast to go by coach to Nuwara Eliya in the interior just south of Kandy the seat of the old Singhal Kings and the venue for the second Test.

It was a long, hairy journey of over four hours much of it in mountainous terrain with many hairpin needs with sheer drops. Despite wanting to overtake at every opportunity we had confidence in our driver. Nonetheless we were all mightily relieved to arrive in mid afternoon.

Nurawa Eliya is often called little England. The colonising Brits weary of the oppressive humidity of Colombo were attracted to its high mountain location for its purer air. The architecture is distinctly colonial no more so than the Grand Hotel where we are billeted. This was built originally as a holiday bungalow inthe 1820s by Governor Edward Barnes and a place for riotous partying.   It’s one of those more British than British hotels that you find in corners of the world like Reeds in Madeira, Raffles in Singapore and The Mount Nelson in Cape Town.

It has a billiard room and of course a dress code for dinner. It’s rather like being in a Gentleman’s Club 50 years ago. The town itself has a racecourse, the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Turf Club and a golf course.

We are very much in tea country and visiting a plantation tomorrow before proceeding to Kandy.

By the time I had eaten and had my nap darkness was beginning to descend but there was enough light to appreciate the lovely gardens where no doubt English tea is partaken.

The group were noticeably tired by the coach journey but still in good spirits.

One lady, when the bus stopped to appreciate a waterfall, said she was bursting and leapt out of the coach for some cover for Nature’s Call.

When asked by someone where she had gone I remembered the old Goons quip “into the jungle on urgent business.”