In the Mountains but suddenly time is short

Just had a typical Indian breakfast of 2 rice grain paps and a single but fried version made to look like a ring doughnut. This is seved with the inevitable curried/spicy vegetable based gravy and some coconut milk with onions and spices. All washed down with a glass of pre-boiled water and a bill of Rs25 or about 30 nglish pence. I have been for an early hours walk tthis morning through the hills here around the mountain town of Munnar where I have spent the night in a small but adequately comfotable enough room costing Rs200 at Safa Lodge above the Bazaar fruit market. I eaten mostly at the adjacent Hazzarth Hotel (tea room), and recommend a fish and veg curry with rice available lunch times. There are many roadside stall offering snacks, one of which had some good veg soup yesterday.

Having spent most of my time here in India so far travelling northwards along the Kerala coast, I finally decided to head inland to ascend (2.5 days) the Western Gatts , the range of mountains between Kerala and the Tamil Nadu region here in the deep south and I believe extending well to the north.

Memories of the hilly terrain in SriLanka soon surfaced but I have enjoyed better roads (not always) and weather. Many stunning views with thick jungle sounds of running water and many bird calls in between the blasted blasting road traffic driven by drivers still determined to HOOT at every opportunity. Spitting seems not to help often appearing to result in even more shrieking horns so yesterday, I tried a new approach. Easier and more effective to those approaching from ahead, (though I tried with occasional success by turning through 90 degrees for the rear hooters) I pretent to be a nursey teacher beckoning peace and quiet from the children with a forefinger to the lips and a Shhhh sound. This is definitely a more successful approach resulting in an acknowleding smile and sheepish silence for a peaceful moment of harmony in the otherwise lushous surrounds. These darn tin cocoons are noisy enough without their insistant blasts at every approaching
being, animal, vehicle or turn. There are some signs along the road, two types I have seen so far sponsored by Vodafone whitch ask travellers to prevent forrest fires and not to Litter. The latter seems to encourage ejected filth all the more, causing a fire hazard with the unsightly mess. Another sign dispays 'Tourism works for you' but should read Tourism stinks. Non of the stall holders have bins outside their premises but sweep their shop fronts in the morning and either sweep the mess aside, throw it down a hillside or burn it as I have witnessed.
Yet walk to a place not frequented by this mass of humanity and one finds true beauty, harmony and peace. You may though need to walk a long way since there are humans seemingly everywhere, a feature of, I am told , the social society of the Kerala region (unlike other Indian States) where land and housing is given to all those who have a need or desire for a home.
My plan now is to return to Cochin via bus and then on to south of Goa by train where I will cycle north through Goa spending a couple of days around there and then train onwards to Mumbai which I will try to reach by the 22nd, as my return flight to Hideous Heathrow is early morning 0200hrs on the 23rd, now only six days away. Its been an enjoyable 3.5 months and I am really now looking forward to being with family over Christmas though will have to adapt quickly to the gloomy cold weather shock. A travel bug is what I have and I will soon have to treat it by carrying on with my planned 'awheeljourney'. I am also looking forward to adding some of the many travel pictures to the diary. I have met some wonderful folks along the way and owe many letters of thanks and photos from our shared experiences.
All for now.