The temple itself is embarking on the construction of a massive 120 foot concrete Buddha in a former quarry directly beneath the temple and directly facing the College.  It will be a stone's throw from the Principal's bungalow.  We have been told that 75% of the cost is being met by people in Thailand and 25% locally.  We have spoken to some local Buddhists who approve and others who don't.

Here is Rosemary saying goodbye to Chandrani, our heaven-sent home help who visits our small house one a week.  She is a devout Buddhist who enjoys pilgrimages around the island including the newly opened up areas in the north.  We cannot say how much we have valued her wonderful work for us. Many tears were shed by both Chandrani and Rosemary. Tuesday June 7th 2010

Here is Mr. Habib who, every month as regular as clockwork, collects any metal or A4 paper the Community might have to dispose of.  He comes to the TCL Library and others places on the campus. He is a real professional who doesn't hang around.  More than most, his time is money.  This day, Monday June 7th, he not only came to collect our tins but to say goodbye to Rosemary

Here is Rosemary with College Housekeeper, Chandra and her parents who kindly gave us a very nice lunch on Saturday May 1st 2010.  Her father was the College dairyman, and Chandra is the longest serving college employee.  Her parents used to work on the campus in its Kingswood School days. Maggie and Chandra have known each others most of their lives and played together when children on the Campus.

Here is Chandra with Deepika who is the daughter of the College's main building contractor, Mr. Premaratne.  Rosemary became close to Deepika three years ago when Deepika's mother died just as she was doing her A-levels.  For a young person brought up in a totally Sinhala speaking home, her English is fantastic. Deepika is a Buddhist but she came with Chandra and others from the College to our Farewell service at Kandy Methodist Church on Sunday June 6th 2010 which is where this photo was taken.

Here we see Rosemary with Saroja, a lovely Hindu woman form Gampola, who teaches Hinduism to our students, and other subjects to the Spouses' Class. She called to say goodbye: Monday June 7th 2010.

And here is the new Principal, Rev. Dr. Jerome Sahabandhu, his wife Inoka, son Nisal (10) and daughter Shalomi (50).  We are delighted that the College is in the hands of a theologian with a pastoral heart and a real interest in theological education.  We hope and pray that he will get the support he needs from all the College's stakeholders.

Just before Rosemary left, she invited the College's Women's Fellowship round for one last meeting.  Rosemary provided tea and biscuits plus a couple of boxes of bits and pieces we no longer needed. Monday morning June 7th 2010.

By tradition almost our neighbours Kandiah and Arul Devi have leavers from our corner of the campus for a meal on their last night.  Here it is our turn to accept their gracious hospitality.  Their son Yougan has grown a lot since we first came.   Kandiah is the chief gardener and Arul Devi child minds and also helps looks after the college's guest accommodation.  Their English is better than most.  We could not has asked for kinder neighbours.  They often gave us food from the garden such as Jack fruit and papaya, and other dishes from time to time. This was Rosemary's last night on the TCL campus. Tuesday June 8th 2010.