A short walk to Fairy Glen

The beauty of Mussoorie - or of Landour - is in its trees.

There is something for everyone.

Coming up from the plains - tired and out of breath - we normally start out with small walks around the 'chukkar' at the top of the hill.

To walk around through those leafy boughs is to step back into a place where we belong. The quiet - punctuated by the occassional rustle of the trees - and your footsteps has to be felt.

In the constant metal noise around me (fans, dogs outside, aircons in neighbouring homes, the dull rumble of traffic and machinery) we rarely if ever hear silence. A short walk around the chukkar does that for you. Plus there is the bonus of a bun-omlette or other culinary delights at Anil's place in Char Dukhan at the end.

And if you are tired - well - then your Daddy can carry you!


OK. So the Chukkar has been done. Maybe even repeated.

What is next.

Fairy Glen of course.

Thanks to the unbelievable amount of hill real estate that Woodstock School has - we actually have what is one of the most beautiful forests around draped over the side of that blessed hill.

And Fairy Glen lives up to its pixie like name.

For us in Shanti Kunj - we start with a small climb to Sisters Bazaar. And then a short stroll along the ridge of the hill behind the ITM.

Then we descend into beauty.

Where do you get to see such looooong trees? These would have done yeoman service as the main mast of some British merchantman. Some would actually pin the rise of Empire forestry on this very need - naval supplies after the saucy American colonies rebelled against the Raj - meant that the Raj took over the forests in India - importing a German (Schlich) to help set up a scientific regime.

But don't let that spoil the sheer joy of being out in the open.


The walk down the hill to Fairy Glen is a total joy. Rich varied forests - the hills peeping through the trees behind. Every rock covered with some kind of moss. Small bright red lady-birds making their unhurried way in the world.

Perfect for young and old.

Then you come to the mixed forest area of Fairy Glen itself. It is a flattened area (probably old fields) which is surrounded by majestic trees.


Just in case you don't know where you are - there is a sign announcing that this is the real mccoy (or perhaps that should be the asli dham).


The flat area is ideal for picnics. And games. And badminton. And cooking out (we didn't do that this time).

The steep drop - as usual in the wonderful Mussoorie way of khuds and clambering up and down - means that a frisbee will often sail away down. And a delightful search and rescue party then forms to find the errant disc.

Our own professionals quickly took over - and did a fine job at recovering the truant articles - under the watchful supervision of Stefan Uncle.


The other thing that having a beautiful forest all round you - especially when you are a kid - is the amazing games of hide-and-seek that can be played.

We had our share - and thoroughly enjoyed creeping through the undergrowth while the hapless person who was "it" searched for us.


We wound up our Fairy Glen excursion this year a little early in the afternoon as we saw the sky darken. Clouds started scudding in and we packed up and started climbing the path back to the top of the hill.

As soon as we reached the ridge the rain started. Gentle drops of coldness. We were well decked out with wind-cheaters and hats and so were happily trotted along with Asha trying to 'drink water from the sky.'

We made it down to Shanti Kunj slightly damp and in high spirits. And then we had the luxury of being indoors in the warmth of home while the hail fell in sheets outside. The tin roof of Shanti Kunj sang as the hail stones whinged down from on high. Summer storms in Mussoorie have their special charm (if you are indoors with a good cup of hot coffee in your hand that is).

A day to remember. A time to cherish. Another loop of beauty experienced and lived out together.

This is the life.