What’s in a name? I wondered, thinking about Windermere Estate, Munnar. A wonderful place that’s been imprinted in my psyche for 23 years or so. Somehow, I’d never asked the question. One immediately thinks some Britisher must have declared this spectacular spot as being reminiscent of home. But, wanting to get the story straight, I gave John, current chief of command, a call.
There followed a very pleasant half hour, as I sat sipping my Yorkshire Tea, as he regaled and reminded me of the very essence of what makes Windermere Estate, well, Windermere Estate.
From its inception, it is a story of preservation & passion from people who are, hmm, what’s the planters equivalent of, “Woven onto the very fabric of”? Perhaps “Rooted in the very soil of?”
To start with there’s the preservation of the forest, an act dating back to 1935 to ensure the survival of the natural habitat, which seemingly ironically, encouraged agriculture. I know! But, cardamom, indigenous to this region, grows under trees and by encouraging the growth of a cash crop within the forest, it would protect the forest. Now that was some innovative thinking!
As my Yorkshire brew began to cool, John dropped in another surprising revelation. This hadn’t been a Britisher’s plantation. No, it was three partners as indigenous to the region as the cardamom they were planting. The foundation of the estate was Indian from seedling to strategy and soul.
Then came the family connection to this region, from both sides of John’s ancestry. His family has had a passion for Munnar for generations. His mother’s father, a Merchant Navy Captain, bought land there in 1950 as it reminded him of his time training in and around Glasgow. His siblings soon followed. So, it seemed fitting for a young Doc Simon to collaborate with his family and purchase Windermere in 1988.
Which brings me nicely onto Doc. I always think simply chatting to this self effacing, gentle, calming soul would be sufficient to cure all ills, no medicine required. But this estate reflects all that Doc Simon is. The cool, crisp fresh air, preserved forest & the plantation make it a naturally calming, healing, nurturing experience, whether out exploring the many treks and cycle trails or perusing a good book in the reading room, or simply gazing at the view from your balcony, sipping the estate’s tea of course.
Now then, the view, that brings me back to how Windermere got its name. A misty morning post a boozy evening perhaps? Well, to find that out, you’ll have to visit and ask John yourselves! The helm has been passed to Doc’s son John, as charming, able, efficient and kind as his father. He patiently ignored my quips about whether Yorkshire tea or cardamom infused chai were better than Munnar’s home brew. Why not find out for yourselves?
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