Hello everyone,
Thank you for all your responses and am grateful for the same. I was getting paranoid that I was going to loose my biggest asset - my sense of humor (good or bad!!). Anyway - I was nuts to have done what I did and just want to close that bit. Its over,se acabo,katham hogaya,fin and so in every langauge.

I think this will be my last post for a day or two as I leave for Heathrow tonight. I tried posting this yesterday but it seems the server was down. Anyway - better late then never. I get across to Heathrow pretty early in the evening as I have spoken to a lot of friends who I have to catch up with and they too want to meet being such old friends. Though I had planned an early night as beer hopping is no longer my cup of beer, I know these guys will not let me go scot free and I will land up picking up their tab! I however, really do not mind as they have been really great freinds for over the last 15 years or more. I am booked at the Radisson and have hired a car for driving around the full day tomorrow and then drop the car off at Heathrow after getting to the hotel for a good shower and a change of clothes.
I have really got confused with the dates and can never remember what the date or the day of the week it is.
We celebrated Dolores's birthday in a pretty nice way. I got in some really good caterers to take care of all the 'tapas',the food- both spanish and continental, the beer, the harder stuff. Luckily hiring caterers also cut off anyone to sit and clean the plates, glasses, forks, knives etc. The guests and the gate crashers all had a good time as we did not chase anyone out and packed up at the right time. The caterers got their act together and the home was shining as it usually is with everything in place.
Since I am totally broke, I could not buy anything very exciting as a birthday gift but did hand over the lease and bank accounts as my gift. Though it was known what I had done - this made it formal - and hence I am now broke!!
I got calls from India and spoke to Sonya and the boys. I am not sure as to what the weather really is in Delhi and so asked her to bring me my jackets as she felt would be required. Varun - the elder one who turns 18 asked me to get him the entire merchandise available of Club Fotbol Barcelona and if the elder one was setting off this trend can junior be left far behind? So a bit of shopping for the two of them was done and I managed to get the entire range of T's, caps,bags, socks, -everything for both of them. The bigger surprise is that both have decided to learn Spanish and have applied for classes. I am really keen to figure out this sudden interest in Spanish. Its a good idea though as in any case they are Spaniards by nationality and if they do not know Spanish it will be a bit wierd. As for Sonya and Mum - its going to be duty free shopping as some stuff you get in duty free is not available just off the shelf in a lot of places. I have few good things I have in mind and am sure she will like them and so will mum.

I finally hand over my beauty to Varun on the 20th - the Hayabusa. He is overtly excited about the same and gave me a small run down on the cosmetic changes he wants to make. I have to convince him its not required as the bike is a beauty as she is. He will look good on the bike keeping his height in mind - he is 6.4 now and still growing and will look silly on the 200 cc - Honda Karisma that I also kept.That is being taken over totally by Arjun - the younger one who is as excited about the bikes as anyone else could be. As he is not too tall - he looks the type on who the bike suits fine and so he is really kicked. He too is all set to make his modifications! I think the car for Varun is on hold as he does not seem too keen on the four wheeler and so imagine that will be used by mum (its the car that Dr. Joshi and Mrs. Joshi came around with us in Delhi- a small compact but comfortable care - good for Delhi roads).

Well the last leg of my trip is slowly coming to an end and I try not to think too hard about it as so - but these kind of things are unforgetable. I know I will miss Barca, when I am in India but also remind myself - there is no question of a return. I have slowly come to terms with that bit and try keeping my mind busy with other things - like telling the kids and others what they must to do to keep the business booming etc. I made the two boys in India speak to the two kids here ( I was the middle man on the web cam) and was glad to see that they were genuinely happy to talk to each other and really hope their bond will become stronger with time.Emotions are running a bit too high and though I am trying to block off all my emotions I cannot bear to see the tears in everyones eyes. I spend most of my time consoling them and talk about the great times we have had.Not that its making much of a difference to any of us.

Well everyone - am cutting short here a its time to get ready and do my last minute shopping say my good byes. I think I will catch up with you all either from the hotel or Heathrow (I get to use "the lounge"!!!) and also imagine they have internet services on board the aircraft. If so - there will be a running commentry just as the one going on between India and Australia third test - where India is playing really well ( Trev- you reading?).
So here a toast Barcelona and all its given me and also to Europe (including UK!) which had truly become my playing ground for so many years.
With lots and lots of love and xxx (as usual for the ladies) and big warm bear hugs to the guys,
Ananth

Dear Ananth

Have a good trip. Try not to reminisce. Don't look back as it will sap your energy. It is not possible to have it all and be in all places at the same time. So look forward to the joy that awaits you in Delhi and the great times ahead.

By the way, good title!

Best wishes
Vinod

Enjoy your trip Ananth - you will probably need Wellington Boots in the UK as it hasn't stopped raining for days.

Through all your jokes and banter, it can't be easy for you or anyone else around you.

Take the most from every moment.

xx

Hope it all goes well, Ananth - you seem to have everything in hand!
Thinking of you.
Gwyn

Beat you to it,i am here already.
Safe journey

love and hugs liz