People may wonder what I get up to in the evenings. I mean, there's not much of a bar culture out in the Indian sticks. They don't drink on the whole, so there wouldn't be much point. Quiz nights, nightclubs, theatres, bowling alleys, tiddlywinks competitions, they are all rare finds out here. Well, having started the 'Historical notes' bit of the blog, I'm reading quite a lot and writing that from my sources. To be honest, it's a bit of a chore at times but I've started now and feel a responsibility to finish. So if anyone says I should give it up because it's a waste of good internet space, please keep those thoughts to yourself. If in a few days time you find an entry that simply says 'the British won and all went home for a cuppa' you'll know I got bored of researching facts and stuff (Oops! Spoiler alert!).
I also watch a bit of recorded tv on the Mac. I've ripped through 'Suits' which I thoroughly enjoyed, and 'The Man in the High Castle' which is excellent. More seasons of those from Amazon would be very welcome. 'Breaking Bad' is up next. It had better be as good as everyone says.
The walk today got me a long way down the road, but it was knackering. 22miles, which places me within striking distance of Kanpur tomorrow - just - well, maybe. I'm doing too many miles in each hop for my untrained body, but the hotel last night left me with mozzie bites all over and the thought of too many more nights like that holds little appeal. So I'll try and make a decent go of it tomorrow and see where I end up.
I had several attempts at thwarting the mosquitoes, sadly to little effect.
Life on the open road. Thank god for the Frank Skinner podcasts. They've made me chuckle all the way down the highway.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
The aftermath of the Kanpur siege. After 21 day of being under fire, the 450 survivors of the siege quietly tramped down to the banks of the Ganges to be embarked onto 40 or so barges for their transportation back to British lines. By 7am, the evacuation was well underway. As a bugle called out, boatsmen threw the embers of their cooking stoves onto the thatched roofs of the barges and jumped overboard. The mounted escorts to the British parade then opened up on them with carbines. They were joined by the now revealed Sepoys along the banks. The survivors of the initial fusillade tried to push barges into the flowing river but only three barges made it, one of which sunk without gaining the current, another, drifted to the far bank and awaiting Sepoys.
On the bank, General Wheeler perished along with the rest of his command and just 125 women and children remained alive by the time a ceasefire was ordered. Taken to Bithor, the seat of Nana's power, the wounded, drenched and humiliated survivors could only wait for rescue from Allahabad.
Meanwhile, the last remaining oarless, rudderless boat, containing a dangerously overloaded 60 refugees, drifted downstream followed closely by Sepoys on the riverbank. The Sepoys began sniping and soon the number of dead outnumbered the living.
With the onset of darkness, the barge halted on a sandbank midstream but the night was disturbed by a fire boat sent to engulf the few survivors. Avoiding the danger, the next day saw more riverbank sniping, before the arrival of the first monsoon provided some relief. Another pursuing barge filled with Sepoys was spotted, but grounded on a sandbar. About 20 men then decided to charge the barge borne Sepoys and in so doing, discouraged further pursuit. After another night on the river, morning brought realisation that they were trapped in a river tributary and under fire once again. A sortie by 13 men chased off the aggressors but the boat had gone by the time they returned, never to be seen again. Finding a temple for refuge, they beat off repeated attacks before breaking out. Seven made it back to the river, four managed to outdistance their pursuers. These last four, led by Lt. Mowbray Thompson, were rescued by natives loyal to the British. Only one was unwounded, and all were in a pitiful state.
British pride had been sorely wounded, its main artery through Northern India severed, and the British field command had shot its bolt getting into Delhi. Plus, there were women and children to rescue. The situation called for a boys own, stiff upper lipped Victorian general to try and salvage the situation. Someone like Sir Henry Havelock.
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