Late September mid-term break

At the end of September, we all needed a break – the boys joined their dorm friends on their respective field trips: Coleman’s eighth grade went to DehraDun,

and the eleventh grade boys went rafting near Rishikesh.

Christopher's group camped out near Rishikesh.


Barb and Jeff took the opportunity for a romantic night at an inn: the Glass House on the Ganges, 20km upstream from Rishikesh -– though first our taxi had to brave a landslide and exceptionally narrow way along the cliffs.


And the Ganges River was angrily swollen, swifter than usual.


But the Inn is a true respite, with rose garden and patio overlooking the river, and a path down to a meager beach.




As we watched each of several rafts go by, we wondered whether Chris was on it.



The river water is, as befits its glacial origin, very cold and very silty. It is also very swift and dangerous – Rishikesh is the first place with sufficient shallow inlets for pilgrims to bathe.

Intramural cross-country, and hiking

Woodstock Cross-Country race: every class ran some distance, including Barb’s first and second-graders!
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Christopher was glad that he placed third in the senior boys’ division.
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He had prepared thoroughly, including a nightly regimen of sit-ups!


Later, Coleman and buddies took a day-hike to a nearby peak.

Youth Service at St.Paul's

Barb organized a youth service at St.Paul’s Church.
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Afterwards we all had our traditional Sunday brunch at the tea stall outside the church, at Char Dukan (Four Stores) Park.