So off we started one fine weekend morning in April. Early morning comfortable weather set the tone for a good start for the journey. Took our usual Chikka Tirupati route to join Hosur highway.
Nowadays our defacto pitstop for a fuss-free breakfast has been Murugan Idli. Fuss free because they have an excellent crowd management in place unlike other popular eateries in this stretch where we have to push, pull and jostle to have our plate of tiffin. Excellent parking space, clean toilets, good food and courteous staff - what more is needed !
The traffic on the highway eased out after the branch off to Chennai Highway where the majority of weekenders seemed headed to. Soon we crossed Salem making a note that we need to stop at
Aasai-Dosai atleast this time for lunch during the return journey. Usually, the Rasipuram - Dindigul stretch is my favorite and peaceful section of the highway - flat roads, occasional or almost nil traffic - one can engage cruise control at 100 kmph for longer stretches and cruise comfortably. But this time, there were few places where flyover construction was in progress, roads blocked, deviated to service roads, which was quite baffling to think about the need for such flyovers in this part of the highway.
As the journey progressed, mercury levels started rising. The AC which is quite chill for Bangalore weather, was struggling hard to keep the cabin cool in the wake of searing heat radiating from all directions. Lower AC levels resulted louder fan speeds, fancy UV cut glasses, window blinds, nothing was helpful so much so that wife started suspecting the car has serious issues with AC. She was even suggesting a quick checkup at any Kia workshop on the highway.
For lunch, I thought we will stop at A2B, Karur, a small deviation from the highway. But A2B is bang in the town centre and parking was a challenge. Father-in-law suggested a small eatery at the entrance of Karur Textile Park on the other side of the highway,
Sumathy Restaurant We could feel the dry heat the moment we stepped out of the car. They had an option for indoor or outdoor seating. Indoor was like a oven, outdoor was slightly better, but still hot. Somehow managed to have a decent lunch in challenging weather conditions. Apart from the heat, this place makes for a good spot for a lunch break, just beside the highway, typical Tamil Nadu
sapaad served with love and humility, a hallmark of Tamil Nadu interior regions.
While we were having our lunch, the car took some rest under the shelter of a lone tree shade. Now the AC was again effective, not optimum, but comfortable. So lesson learnt that even car needs some rest in this summer heat and we need to have small breaks in between. But the downside of highways nowadays is the lack of tree cover along the roads. Still managed to break at few places as we progressed.
The scene dramatically changed the moment we started approaching Dindigul and deviated towards Kodai road. There was good amount of cloud cover, roads were wet, small puddles along the road, giving the first indication and hope that it is not all that bad over here.
Roads are butter smooth as always in these 2-lane roads, but the yellow rumbling strips were irritating and they were occurring way too frequent. We were once again to happy to see the Kodai range of hills appearing in the distance, typical sights and smell of TN rural landscape, rolled our windows down and starting feeling the cool breeze, a stark contrast to the heat waves just few hours back.
Finally turned right into the Kodai Ghat road. As usual, the winding tamarind tree lined roads are like stairway to heaven. The very first ritual on this road is the customary stop for the tender coconut.
While sipping the tender coconut, the shopkeeper gave us the unexpectedly lovely news that it has been raining very heavily every afternoon with strong winds!! It was a pleasant surprise after all the apprehensions about the hot-humid climate that we were expecting.
Usually this spot makes for a pretty picture with its greenery and the background, but the effect of dry weather was evident
Finally we reached our relatives place at the foothills of Kodai. We dont have to go up the Kodai ghat sections. Notice the outside temperature is cool 24 degrees !!
Our car resting at the destination after all the huffing-puffing on the highway.
Soon, dark clouds started looming with loud thunders and lightning, it rained heavily with gale like winds, typical summer pre-monsoon showers. It appeared as though the rain gods are providing a grand welcome for us.
Next few days were spent doing nothing in particular. The days remained pleasant through out with intermittent rains and drizzles. There was no hint of summer heat.
It is interesting to observe how the kids mentality changes once they are outdoors. Our daughter, just like any other urban kid, who thinks the only way to pass a free time is sitting in front of idiot box, found much more better ways to spend her time here, engaging with people, lending helping hand for homely chores, gardening, appreciating the surrounding etc This time she is grown up enough to handle a DSLR, started exploring her creative side with photographic skills. Some of her mundane shots too got me admiring, that photography lies in the eye of the beholder than any other technical 'skills'
And she made few friends too..