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The Seed is Sowed
A big picnic was being organised to the church and seminary at Covelong, everybody was going, and so was Janice and Rudy. Two buses were hired and it was filled to capacity. The day arrived and you could feel the excitement in the air, even at 5 o'clock in the morning. Everybody piled on with all their "saamaans" (stuff!). Getting Anglo Indian priorities right, there was a lot of food, drink and guitars, blankets and more food. As soon as they cleared the city everyone settled down to looking at the passing scenery. Then a couple of lads started singing. Anglo Indians and Community singing, eh? Nobody, except probably the Welsh, do it so well. Of course it was "she'll be coming round the mountain" and everybody had a go at making up verses. Some of them were quite naughty (all the girls would giggle and play at being really bashful) like:
Have you ever seen her naval uniform (twice)
have you ever seen her naval
ever seen her naval
ever seen her naval uniform" ------"singing ai ai yippy yippy ai" etc---etc. and "have you ever seen that bosom pal of mine" etc---etc
and this one was really naughty "have you ever seen her bottom row of teeth" etc---etc.
Oh! Oh! Here she comes. Mrs. Joan Parker ---- affectionately called "Joan the Moan, Nosey Parker." "That’s enough boys, no more smutty songs. Sing something decent. One brave lad said "Like what" and under his breath he said “mrs nosey parker". "I heard that you little "Lutcher", you behave yourself or I'll give you such a slap". She was a big lady and it was not unknown for her to whack some poor soul across the ear-hole with her banana fingers. As she walked back to her seat she said, "Sing my favourite “Red sails in the sunset”. (Her husband was in the merchant navy) Of course that was followed by "My bonnie lies over the ocean". What about this one! "my fathers an awful old boozer
He comes home at 12 every night
And when he gets up in the morning
His gob smells just like "Sweet violets” --- what did it mean?.(ed)
Royapuram people were used to the sea, but Covelong was heaven. No smell of drying fish on the pavement, being turned into salt fish, no jelly fish to dodge, no oil slicks, from all the ships that used to come into the harbour. The water at Covelong was crystal clear and you could walk out for hundreds of yards with the water still up to your waist. Everybody ate under the trees, and wandered off down the beach, or just sat in the shade enjoying the serenity of the place. Youngsters played a boisterous game of catch in the water, the stronger swimmers seldom getting caught. It was a fantastic way to learn how to swim.
Just as the sun disappeared behind the coconut trees, the bells of the church rang out the 6 PM Angelus. "The Angel of The Lord declared unto Mary, And She Conceived by the Holy Ghost----Hail Mary--- etc etc". It was time to pack up. As they sped home the happy mood continued in the bus for a while, but soon the singing sort of petered out and people started to nod off. Janice was feeling the effects of the sun and Rudy went down to the end of the bus to wet his hankie, from the drum of water, so she could sponge her burning eyes. Mrs Nosey Parker, (aye! aye!) suddenly took notice of Rudy's gentle attention to Janice, her suspicious mind, ever hungry for a new piece of gossip, she could share with her Novena gang on Saturday. Innocently Janice and Rudy didn’t disappoint her. Janice closed her tired eyes and rested her head on Rudy's shoulder. WOW!! Mrs Nosey Parker’s gossip seeking antenna literally shot out of their sockets.
In the culture of that time, If a girl and a boy spoke to each other more than twice. --- They were "friendly". If they held hands --- their son's name was John. Mrs Nosey Parker was the only one wide awake the whole journey -- watching! Scheming! Everybody knew that Michael and Janice was a strong item, and Rudy would never do anything to betray Michael's trust, or hurt anyone else for that matter. He was Rudy, quiet, happy, witty when he wanted to be, and very, very intelligent. But that never stopped Mrs Parker. Her mind was doing somersaults, thinking of how she could spice up this little, juicy, piece of gossip for her gang. Soon they were home and all the Saamaans were unloaded, the happy sound of Good-Byes filled the air and someone standing under a lamp post, strummed a guitar and started to sing. Show me the way to go home
I'm tired and I wanna go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And its gone right to my head.
No matter where I roam
Over land and sea and foam
You will always hear me singing that song
Show me the way to go home. Good Night Everybody! ---- Good Night! Soon Royapuram, was tucked in and fast asleep, except for a couple of dogs, half-heartedly barking at the sound of a Ghurkha’s stick, hitting the tarred road as he walked down the street keeping watch.
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You're welcome Ernest!
Written by domestic engineer on 2007-06-03 07:57:15
Always a pleasure to read your down to earth, fun stories that takes alot of members down memory lane!
I missed out on the AI teenager experiences since I moved to the U.S. when I was 15. Came here and became very shy and introverted. Didnt get asked out on a date till I was 18 or 19!!  boo hoo sob story I know!! LOL Dad got me contacts and braces then I got my first car a Ford "Mustang" and that was it! A late bloomer, came out of my shell and now you have the big mouth social bug! 
So, thats why I enjoy reading all the antics of Michael, Janice, and Rudy!
And yeah cant wait to see what trouble miss Nosey Parker is about to stir up!!!
Take care,
Charlotte
p.s. Giving P.W. a brake of my presence for couple of weeks. Going on a 2 week vacation! Ya'll dont miss me too much!  | Thanks
Written by ernest on 2007-06-02 16:10:51
Charlotte, always comments, Thank you. Wonder what You'll think about the next chapter?,
Monica thank you too!
Little Miss, you traitor. Royapuram Boys were hunks compared to those 'pingee' Perambur Boys.Thank you for 'your' memories. Hope you enjoy the few remaining chapters. God Bless.
Ernie. | Wow this is great
Written by littlemiss on 2007-05-28 22:15:41
These are such good memories! My mum used to organise the royapuram buses every year to covelong & our place used to get packed on those July mornings.Who could forget the Biryani 4 lunch & the nibbles we used to load the bus with?The mass tht we used to go to and the shopping in the stalls at Covelong?Then being the nosy youngsters we were, checking out the Perambur boys ,however I still have a phobia for swimming as my cousins used to think it was so funny to dunk me in the water.Oh & taking the day off school the next day as we were so 'tired'.Those were the glory days.Please keep your story coming as I look forward to reading it everytime.Thanks for keeping our memories alive for us! | I am feeling Homesick...
Written by monique on 2007-05-25 04:23:56
All that is said in this chapter is exactly what we all did when we went to covelong. I don't think there was any better way to enjoy a picnic at covelong but like the above mentioned experience.
Yes, there is always that One Uncle or several naughty youngers who would sing their way along the trip, just enjoying themselves, not worried about past or future but enjoying the present thoroughly.
Sigh..Happy days! | Thanks for the fun trip to Covelong!
Written by domestic engineer on 2007-05-23 06:56:37
Feel like I went on the trip!! I had forgotten about the Ghurkhas until we were in Goa. There were Ghurkhas at the gate of the Villas we stayed in.
Will have to teach Mrs. Nosey Parker to get her mind out of the gutter!! LOL |
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