Angela Cave

The tulips are out, temperatures are rising – finally – and Parrots & Peonies are out and about too!
22 and 23rd April I will be at the Gillingham Spring Countryside Show – very excited, never been before and I am sure it will be great fun.
29 & 30 April I will be in Cirencester Corn Hall for the Wool Weekend
Sunday 7 May I will be at the Frome Cheese & Grain – had a great time there last time, lots to see.
8th & 10th May there are plant sales in the Shambles which is a very busy time and the shop is open Tuesday – Saturday inclusive every week too.
Cant wait to see you – my new range of hand block printed summer dresses, kaftans and dressing gowns are already causing a stir!

Back for a final few days to Brunton Boatyard and the Biennale in full swing. So much to do – a visit to the Mattancherry Palace is essential, amazing frescoes and a beautiful building too. After that a cooling drink at the amazing Ginger House, what a find this was.
Room after room of extraordinary antiques, from the absolutely massive to the tiny and portable and then onto the water front cafe for a beer and watching the world go by. Then another great discover, the wonderful hand block printed cotton of Craft Tree so pretty and so soft, of course I bought a couple of dresses – and ordered more for The Parrot Cage too!
Fabulous dining at History Restaurant in the hotel – such an innovative and interesting menu and a pleasure to try the various dishes from the diverse communities that have settled in this amazing place.
Sadly Cochin was also our point of departure for this trip – but two days back at home and a new trip already planned and booked for next year! Thank you to everyone who made our trip so special – Joshy our amazing driver, Kuoni for the care and the service – and India for being wonderful!

photos from the top – Chinese Fishing nets, Brunton Boatyard and the Ginger House

Somehow arriving anywhere by boat is special – arriving at Coconut Lagoon is very special indeed. You are greeted with a serenade by flute and a freshly cut coconut to assuage your thirst and then it is time to relax, birdwatch
or just wander through the property watching the fishing canoes paddle out onto the lake and just let the world drift by.
Our villa had its own small pool and a sitout overlooking a flooded paddy field – much beloved by the local bird population so bee eaters and kingfishers flashed across the water and turtles paddled in the shallows as we sipped our breakfast coffee and watched the sun come up.
You can take the sunset cruise and watch the sun set on Lake Vembanad, sit and watch the daily fly past of fruitbats as the sun goes down – one of my favourite places – ever!

Up into the Western Ghats for a night at Spice Village – thatched bungalows set amidst the trees and shrubs with my husband’s favourite bar, Woods Bar, sitting amongst the trees. We have stayed many times before but it is always a treat to dump the cases and sit outside our
cosy hut enjoying a cup of tea to the sounds of the wind in the trees and the langur monkeys chattering in the distance. This is another great CGH Earth property, so different from bustling Brunton’s Boatyard and the village vibe of Visalam but still with the CGH Earth touch, emphasising sustainability with the design of the property modelled on the native Manan tribe from this region. The proximity of Lake Periyar means it is a great place to wildlife watch and there are daily cultural programmes.
A drink at Woods is a must, and a chat to Francis the keeper of the venerable snooker table to enliven proceedings and then a stroll around the small town before dinner – perfect!
The following day a morning trip to my friend Taj’s organic spice garden ensured that my larder is now stocked with the greenest cardamom, pepper corns, really good turmeric and some herbal remedies too – he is a font of knowledge and his products are fresh and fantastic. I have a copy of his book The Indian Aroma beside me now and if you are in the area his address is
The Planter’s House, Munnar Road, 1st Mile, Kumily, Thakady email theplantershouse@gmail.com
Photos Taj, left and our wonderful driver and friend Joshy. Our snug hut in the trees.