Despite the calm and quiet atmosphere, we still woke at 5:30 for our first cuppa, second one at 7:00. Afterwards bells were clanging , drums banging and birds chirping before we made our way to breakfast at 8:30, not that we needed it as we were still full from last nights dinner.
It seemed as if it was a self service buffet, so we chose some yogurt banana and pomegranate, but they asked us how we we would like our eggs and we both chose a Marsala omelette. Before it arrived, a rice dish, a dish of sago cutlets ,shredded cabbage and small crepes appeared!
Pete had rather stupidly asked for toast before all these surprises arrived, as you can gather we did not eat all of it, as one feels guilty leaving food. The Labrador was out walking and barking, we can say hello but not touch him as he is rather old and missing his partner.
We saw the other Audley couple off in their car and watched their safe travel ritual performed by the the turbaned concierge. That’s the first time we have seen that happen.
We walked down the cobbled path to the main entrance and had to open the wrought iron gates. The elderly gentleman who had welcomed us yesterday was gardening today and carefully arranging petals in bowls in the courtyard.
We watched the villagers drawing water from the communal pump and went to have a lie down by the the pool, but it was too hot so we went inside to cool off before our cooking demonstration at 11:00.
One of the chefs had prepared all the food and spices in the restaurant and showed us how to fry okra in chickpea flour, make the aubergine and yogurt dish we had last night, make the dough for bread rolls and fried puri, and make lentil dal in a pressure cooker. This was a fascinating event and we were eating all the freshly cooked okra and puri as soon as they were cool enough. No need for lunch, but we did have a salted lemonade, sitting in the cool open window, with the fan on full.
Pete dashed to get the camera as the concierge with his staff was walking down, presumably to meet the next guests. We went back to the pool, this time for a swimming and relaxing after all our hard work watching someone else cooking. We greeted a couple from Edinburgh who arrived as we were by the pool.
Swim was followed by a shower and a tour of the fort where we are staying before presumably another substantial dinner tonight.