Clare Updates coming finally for Jodhpur, Agra, Delhi and Darjeeling... Hello Di - would love to do a Peggy debriefing and might try and do a quick run through of the photos for her. And thanks so much for the massage. After 6 weeks of mattresses no thicker than 10cm, it would be gratefully appreciated! Mum - I'm backdating my entries to coincide with when I was there as I'm very behind due to the hectic travel schedule. I hope to rectify that right now.

Di Hi Clare Before Peggy's you're also booked into an hour's massage Sunday morning at 9.15 in Peppermint Grove. (late Chrissy present. It's only costing the equivalent of what the average Indian probably earns in a month.....)

Di Hi Clare Some of those Indian psychics are uncanny - remember Ian Sinclair's story - It was Jackie Kennedy who suggested the Lake Palace at Udaipur become a hotel. She had an eye for a fairytale... LOVE READING YOUR BLOG - Have arranged to take Peggy to lunch on Sunday 24 for a debriefing if you're up to it... xxxDi

Noor Lovely news about you and Chez. She is very pretty and nice!!! Love your stories, particularly the persistently poisoning princess. The date on this blog is 7 Jan, which is a bit weird, as should say 13th I think. Keep having fun!!

Tony Looks amazing - uplifting to see grinning faces where you'd expect the opposite. Though it's a bit rough the poorest are the ones doing the recycling for the richest but will regardless be hardest hit by climate change! Glass houses though I guess. Don't mention anything about Victorian Police or KFC ads and you should be fine!

Di Hi Clare I feel like I'm on the journey myself reading your blog, what with climbing mountains, horrendous train accommodation, nightclubbing with princes and experiencing the slums. (the setting for Shantaram). There's nothing straightforward in how things work in India. So many middlemen have their palms out ready to be greased before the right and proper things unfold. Australia's getting a right old drubbing at high levels in the aftermath of the murder of an Indian walking thru a park in Melbourne. Everybody including the Aust govt is upset & saddened. Julia Gillard offered the opinion that the motivation was criminal rather than racist. Indian TV then reported this in a news item with large banners of AUDACITY posted on the bottom of the screen. Also the Victorian Police have been depicted in a cartoon in a major paper as Ku Klux Klan. So Australia's stakes are low at the moment. Unfortunately India's a volatile country where allegiances can quickly lead to violence. Have you visited the old part of the Taj Hotel yet? Sue Gillespie would have some good contacts possibly in Bombay & Delhi. xxxDi

mark Clare, belated congratulations to Anita and Luke! He's a clever strategist that Luke. I've read the later blogs now and seen the photos - great to share the experience a little at least. Keep on keeping on. Dad

Noor Hi What an experience! Imagine the slums being a tourist experience! Sounds very like the slums I was taken through near the port in Jakarta. Keep safe and well and keep blogging!!! Mum.

Clare Rotto sounds amazing as usual. Happy New Year Liz-a-beth!

liz Hi Clare, Indi SOUBDS GREAT. N hALF YOUR LUCK - ALTHOUGH cHRISTMAS AT rOTTNEST ISBPRETTY HARD to beat, Very hard workmas usual, Up early for a quick swim at the basin, picking up friends, including Marie, on way. aObligatory dtop at dOME ON THE WASY BSCK HOMR - MUVH CONDU,TION OF COFFEE AND CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS, FOLLOWED BY BREAKFAST,b***** sll. lunch, b***** all, then lunch, sista, then more foof(IA DON'Y CARE IF i NEVER SEE HAMAGSIM!) tHEN THERE'S THE USUAL POST DINNER PARTY PERFORMANCES. - mUM AND lOIS DID "THE bOYFRIEND FROM "the abOYFRIEND" AS USUAL, Dad and MARIE DID,"bABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE I did my normal "Australiana"

Noor Congrats Luke & Anita! Well done sticking with the Kingfisher! Boys went fishing today, so being scaled now, Griff cut his hand! Expecting Dina and boyfriend soon. Shari is making fish stew

Daddy Just leave Anita outside until you have the beers! Although I must say this is much better than the South American experience which seemed to be mostly photos of Australians drinking beer. I don't enjoy being critical, but this is my job isn't it? Enjoying your story, Clare. Merry Xmas from the rest of us here at South Durras.

Noor Its an ill seat that blows nobody any wind!!! Enjoy your yoga and massage. Love your blog. Tell Anita I saw James in Manuka yesterday and encouraged him to look at your blog and the photos! Off to the Christams Party today and the Coast tomorrow.

Noor HI Clare, loving your blog! Housebout trip looks divine! Just back from Griffith, we all missed you, only missing cousin, and loved seeing the beautiful Oscar! Mum.