On a random run through of the pages of my diary, I stopped with an interesting piece, which I am gonna share with you now.
Staying in the top floor of an Airbnb in Central London situated along a beautiful canal was an experience by itself. To top it all, we were entirely on our own-be it on the black and yellow cab or the ubiquitous Uno or the London double-decker buses or the underground tube rail. We were painting the town red.
Baker Street is our destination. Does it ring a bell? Keep guessing….
I will fault in my narration if no mention is made here about the London’s prestigious rail network. The frequent trains and the proximity of stations to any historical destinations are the warp and woof of the London commutation pattern as is always in any western country a person can travel anywhere with just a hand map. So was it in London also.
It did not take long from the ever-busy Paddington Railway Station for us to reach the Baker Station.
Many places in the station were decked with replicas of the articles used (?!!) by the hero of the Baker Street. A small stroll along the busy road took us to the much sought after address for the book worms budding fictionists, thrill seekers….221B, Baker Street-the abode of the fictional detective SHERLOCK HOLMES – the master detective in a deerstalker, a magnifying glass tucked in it, smoking a calabash pipe-all his trademark features with his consultant friend Dr. Watson. His is one character which always influences me whether it was in the comic books or a hardbound fiction or a movie or a Netflix serial. Watching the latest serial starring Benedict Cumberbatch catalyzed the eagerness in me to visit the lion in its den!
The Sherlock Holmes museum, is what they call in Baker Street, has it all. The rocking chair, the violin, smoking pipes, the unique hat, his mini chemical laboratory wall pictures –what all I have read and watched in the screen are all there for us to see. Standing in the midst of these I felt I had been transported to a set where I am also enacting a role. The characters of Mrs. Hudson the landlady, the ‘Napoleon of crime’ James Moriarty kept on flashing in the mind. The milling crowd in the first floor brought me back to the present. Still dazed in the fiction world, I stepped to the art gallery and souvenir shop-the array of artefacts and the brisk sale is a testimony to the fact to the multitude of SH’s fanatic club. In fact, my dad is an ardent fan of SH, no wonder I have inherited it too.
The grand finale was the photo my daughter shot me- -cladding his stalker, wearing his cap and puffing his pipe-an out of the world experience.
I can’t help sharing this wit-though depicting SH and Watson what they really are not – just on a lighter vein…
Sherlock and Watson went on a trekking deep in the woods. It grew dark and they decided to pitch their tent always appreciating the nature and its beauty. After dinner, they slept off. As night went, suddenly Sherlock shook up Watson and asked him what he thought of the chilly night and the sky. Watson, still in his sleeping bag became too enthusiastic and started to tell how he felt about the cool breeze, the clear sky, the full moon, the stars and on and on. Sherlock cut him short- ‘Idiot Watson, somebody stole our tent in the night’!!!!!
Till I lace up for the next.
J.Ram
Pages from a Vacationer's diary 
Very nicely written. Why don’t you become a novelist.
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Another brilliance in action. I am intrigued by the details and the experience factor…Thanks for sharing.
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I enjoyed reading your blog.It is so powerful and absorbing.You put into words exactly what I struggle to convey(being a math teacher, I put things in a formula form) and it is like drama in real life.Your diction rhymes in your writup. It’s very impressive! Also, your choice of words is rhythmic .It is perfect blend of realistic and Comedic. It transported me to 1968-1974 The Readers Digest ” Travelling the world in a Chair”
You are giving LIFE to your latent talent.
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My dearest Sir,My happiness knows no bounds in reading your beautifully worded comments.Getting it from a person who always is in a high pedestal in my heart is overwhelming.Please believe me Sir,every time I post a blog,I would eagerly be looking forward to a comment from you…..today -on this lovely chilly day in Boston your response has given me a very great pep .I have shared it proudly with my wife and daughter.Love and Pranams Sir.🙏
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Dis claimer:
Dear Ram,
Well done is better than well said and you have proved it with your great effort Ram. You are a perfect doer and a man of dedication.
Some of my old students in my teaching carreer used to dress well, some talk well, some carry themselves well, but you just get great job-done well.
Your achievements speaks itself about your capabilities. We are living is the
” inernet connectivity world ” less connected with lovedones more ” connecteed” with their eyes glued to mibile phone with faceless people in the facebook.Even while talking they want it to be fast and short.People love movies that are more action packed and less communicative.
Food that can be pushed fast into their. The babies are fed by mothers while their mobile phones are glued to their palms.Mobile phones are pacifiers or babysitters.
Children are fed dosai or roti or other stuff in a non sticky tava.Therfore their children are also ” nonsticky” when they grow up.
But we cant help it, we are in this ” conveyer belt” of fast life.This is beside the point.
Ram, may you reach the heights of success, and may your work and the ” fire” to write send ripples in the mind of people who read your blog and let your writing be puposeful and make a difference in the people.
“Pen is mighter than a sword” also let it be soft and penetrating but not wounding because words are also swords.
One last sentence before ending this.
Skills can be imparted, but the will to persist and persevere is inborn- a talent you have been blessed with. Well done Ram.
Special credit to
to your wife(wifi) Gowri your two eyes-
daughter Pavithra and Son(in law)Satish
for their unstinted and unabated love and support.
Best wishes Ram for your continued success.
( please correct me if the names are not incorrect).
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Thoroughly enjoyed your narrative. You really walked us through the museum. Keep writing. All the best!
Maddy Madhavan.
HSSS
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‘Idiot Watson, somebody stole our tent in the night’. 🙂 Ultimate Sir !!!
All the places that you’ve visited has been described in such a intriguing way sir. Really expressive…down to the very last detail. You don’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to your narrative skill !
Good going Sir…Keep up the good work !!!
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Archana
Wow uncle u visited 221 baker street??😍😍😍 am so jealous right now. .am a huge sherlock fan too.
Varadarajan
You really seem to be enjoying your holiday… a precursor to your retirement?😀
Sudha Varadan
Wow quite interesting Mr. Sherlock Homes – Achu asal your picture looks with the innocent smile of typical. Keep adding. 👌👍
Priya Mouli:
Good one…keeps the mystery live
Lakshmi
nice blog, i have a feel of being in London with your way of wordings…..greatly explained each minute experience…..Hats….up….🤷♂🧙♂
Sridhar Gayathri
Once again back to Sherlock home days🕶🎩🕵♂🎻. What a writing sir! Truly awesome👏👏👏
Samuel Kutty
Great job Ram. I am happy that you have become a trend setter and morale booster to our team and the entire HUL. I wish you all the best for your future and for constantly making exciting discoveries.
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Dr. Radha
Dear brother have read only two or three books I never knew that appa is also a fan of Sherlock Holmes happy to note that you enjoy what you see and able to pass it on love
Shreya
Super great sir, love your writing
Venkatesa Sharma
Superb Ram. Every time I read your blog, I am reminded of the Art of Story telling. Your expression through words is exemplary. I love the way you narrate the scene. May God bless you Ram. SH and Watson was brought to life thru Ur narration 🙏
P v Srinivas
Ram, the blog is extremely good & interesting & in particular, connectivity to Sherlock homes.
keep blogging
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Appa, I loved the storytelling and nonchalant narration! But I must say, I think you would have made an excellent Watson. Sherlock I’m not so sure about…
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Nostalgia…..Thoroughly enjoying every bit of roaming with Ram! Thanks for the wonderful narrative
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Sekar
Excellent narration Ram we are simply enjoying your blog keep writing our best wishes to you👏👏👍
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