The Wind Palace, Old Jaipur, Day 10 Indian Holiday

As his lordship was heard to remark without a trace of irony, "I don't know how the old people on this tour manage". He obviously was not remembering that we are the oldest couple in the group, but admittedly there are less fit bus pass holders who may not find the heat and pace comfortable.

Today we had a wonderful visit to the Jaipur observatory with it's concrete angled walls outside recording on a marble scale the exact position of the sun, which when corrected for the the longitude ( or is it the latitude?) of Jaipur gives the time to the nearest second.

A walk through the flower and spice market took us on a roundabout way to the Royal Palace with exhibitions of costumes worn by the Moguls and a display of armoury, not forgetting a workshop for artists exhibiting exquisite paintings.

Another visit to a carpet and block printing textile cooperative where the rum and coke, soft drinks or just boring old tea, combined with samosas, loosened the purse strings of many of the party. I think His Lordship has put paid to the myth of the Scots being tight fisted.

This blip is of the pink terracotta Wind Palace within the walls of Old Jaipur, where all the buildings have to be painted that same colour. With the white and sometimes coloured stencilling, it is an arresting sight.

All the group love Jaipur.