.jpeg)
Peechat Rock
.jpeg)
We woke up and took up the challenge of Tom for a visit to Peechat Rock.
The 125 cc two-wheeler Honda-Glamour was handy enough to carry both of us along the tough, unpaved, uphill track. Amazing power and in spite of a weakened knee, I still didn't want to give up on the mild adventure involved. We climbed to the top of the hill of the estate of a relative of Peechat family through a nearly worn-out gate with vines almost hiding it, but with PEECHAT boldly fixed on the top of it. There is a jeep track upward, and we stop at a point and trek the rest of the 200-odd metres to the bare rock forming the pinnacle of the hill.
You have to watch your steps, and then climb onto the rock - which at this stage of my life and with the knee and angles tending to be in non-cooperative mode is a bit difficult, otherwise, for the teens and youth a cakewalk holding some sportive challenge. This is now becoming popular as 'Peechat Para'. The hidden beauty was unveiled with the clear felling of the rubber plantation which had been there for decades, and prior to which, for the local population accustomed to the hilly terrain not anything of great interest. But with the modern day of less and less of anything uneven, and more and more of everything wasteful, the youth find it a perfect rendezvous for a trek, a picnic spot with a beer and accumulating litter of plastic bottles, empty beer bottles and plastic wraps of junk-snacks.
.jpeg)
But the morning view of the valley was enchanting with the mellow orange cadence of the Sun over the tufts of white cloud blanketing it. It would have been more pleasing in the infant ruddiness of the Sun. We miss the company of our good friend Andrew, who would be game for any such outing. We have my cousin Sajeev to complete a trinity. I complete my rounds of Suryanamaskaram, and find a rather perfect balance with Vrkshasanam and a version of Garudasanam. Would have loved to do the head-pose as well, which would have been terrific, after the typical habit of my adventurist nephew Vijay. But somehow, didn't feel inclined to. Tom, the trained physical educator that he is, indulged himself in adventurous jumps over the cleft between the top rock, the edge of which is a cliff with the next landing being another hard rock hazardously below.
We trek down. I am careful, lest my knees already showing deterioration are not adversely affected. Pineapple plantation is replacing the rubber. Wildflowers - a sturdier and smaller version of Petunia Aystasia gangetica, and wild jasmines - were everywhere - making those nooks and corners really pretty.
It is a great spot to be - I would rather suggest the Peechats restrict the entry, perhaps charge a token fee, and ensure that the spot is maintained friendly - litter and plastic-free!!
Peechat Panankaavu where Peechat Rocks
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/KWyvBduFVJvjoWb6/?mibextid=oFDknk
Back to the 15-acre estate of Tom can be a paradise for a Botanist interested in tropical evergreen flora. Many pockets abound with ferns of all sorts - from the tiny ones to the giant tree ferns. Tom, of late, has altered his lifestyle to include animal friends on to his wild farm. A level segment of the otherwise undulated land has been cleared of the neglected rubber trees, with a plan to promote tennis. But wild trees like tambakam, kulamavu, marutu etc. abound, in addition to the Bamboo species introduced by him. Another species in abundance is Cinnamon. I would rather name it Peechat Cinnamon Enclave! But I would rather go for Peechat Panankaavu (palm grove) - as the campus has a number of Caryota palms (kaali pana), which could yield an abundance of naturally filtered very sweet and inebriating health drink. In all this, the government is not promotive, but with a restrictive licence raj of the excise department such skill traditions appear to be on the verge of extinction.
Tom's new companions include country fowls, country ducks, and indigenous cows, one of them giving birth to a rare calf, something like a white tiger - kapila! the regular wild visitors still continue - the family of spurfowl being the most evident! The 10 ft deep natural pond is now home to the ducks, and the clean water is now not really attractive for ordinary humans to have a dip.
NPP - I am involved with and part of very many NPOs (Non-Profit Organisations), generally, voluntary development organisations. If they generate wealth beyond their expense, it is usually 'surplus' to be ploughed back into development. Many of the organisations I associate with are thus. But individuals, rarely. My colleagues who are outspoken socialists when it comes to organisation/institution, I have observed, are outright capitalists with an insatiable profit motive, when it comes to individual or family life. But Tom, past 50, though still young, is an exception. So far, he has been a Non-Profit Person through and through. His Peechat farm holds great potential for tourism, which can be run on a sustainable basis. But he seems to be bitten by some waldenism as yet! May the God of small things and big things, but who sustains all things, sustain him well!
Thanks Fr for such an enchanting write-up...we could feel as if we were there already! Keep writing!
ReplyDelete