We weren’t sure where to go for a picnic – most people who live here suggested places like Dagshai but we wanted to avoid the drive. It had also been raining more frequently and we wanted to avoid the prospect of even minor landslides. We had already cancelled lunch at the Mess and had ordered packed lunch : paranths, aloo sabzi, mango pickle, onions and beer. We decided to try our luck at the Upper Mall Road first – somewhere close to the Gilbert Trail perhaps? If were going to be unsuccessful there, we would then try our luck at the Lower Mall.
Closer to the Gilbert Trail is an army check point, beyond which civilian vehicles are not allowed – you have to park there and walk the rest of the half a kilometre to Gilbert Trail. Both the folks being reluctant to walk uphill due to bad knees, we were lucky we were allowed in because of Dad’s ex-fauji status. A little after driving in, when we reached Gilbert Trail, we realized that would involve a whole lot of uphill walking before we could find a suitable picnic spot. Also what would we do if it rained?
Then we spotted the Holiday Homes where our accommodation had originally been arranged. They are not walking distance from Kasauli Market and there is no provision of a kitchen there. Good call that we changed our booking to the Brigade Mess. But the officials at the Holiday Home were kind enough to allow us to sit in their lawns and conduct our picnic there! The weather changed between chilly air and dense fog and sharp and hot sunlight.
Dad cracked some boiled eggs on his head as a photo op. A dog swung by, curious to see who was creating all that racket. It was an ideal picnic spot – there was a washroom we could access too! All in all, a good day.
