Picturesque Goa

Picturesque Goa
NOSTALGIA - Articles,Poems & Photos

TONFERNS CREATIONS

TONFERNS CREATIONS
TONFERNS CREATIONS - Tony's Art & Hobbies

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
 OF A BYGONE ERA

by Tony Felicio Fernandes

Those were the days when this famous educational institution was a boys’ school only. Co-education was introduced much later. As I recall my days as a student there from the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties, this school had classes beginning from Preparatory Junior, Prep.Senior, followed by Standard I to XVIII. The Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination Passing Class was then known as Matric.

As I admire and reminisce its glory today far away from home, it seems as though it was just yesterday and memories still remain undiminished. In retrospect, schooling seemed to have been fun and hard work too at the same time. The school year began on the 6th of June, the last term ending in early April with Michaelmas and Christmas holidays in between. A typical school day began with an early dawn Angelus prayers followed by Holy Mass at the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi at the apex of the peaceful and sylvan surroundings at the hillock. After breakfast the classes began with the students assembly in the corridor of the main building. One of the students would lead in singing of the school hymn “Come Holy Ghost” with all the boys joining in. The boys then quickly proceeded to the respective classes, the first subject period invariably being English. Mild amusement and distraction was provided by the rare and unusual late appearance of day-scholar Felicio who arrived panting for breath, with a school bag slung over his shoulder and a valid excuse if required.

With the usual subject periods of English, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, General Science and Religion, it was soon time for the midday recess with lunch in the refectory, followed by recreation time. I recall the clatter of cutlery created during the lunch-hour by over 500 boarders all dining at one time! The din produced by this clash of utensils could be heard as far away as the classrooms on the eastern side of the temporary classrooms. The day-scholars who brought lunch in tiffin boxes (or 'buthi' as the boxes were fondly called) went to the "Buthi Room" to retrieve their stored lunch boxes from there and then proceeded to have their meas under the shade of cashew trees. During this time, the boys carried on with various extra-curricular activities some of which included playing table-tennis and carom. One of the fine moments that I still remember is the stackable six 12-inch LP record-changer, that was connected to the public address system and classical music was played at this time. Familiar tunes heard at this hour were 'The Blue Danube', 'Tiritomba' and 'Funiculi Funicula'. This system was also used for reciting the Holy Rosary in Konkani at eight o’clock in the night over the loudspeakers. This could be clearly heard in the stillness of the night for over a distance more than two kilometers.



Recess time was also the time for music and other activities like quick sketching drawing and painting still life for the art students under the guidance of the amazingly brilliant artist Brother Vitalis known for his phenomenal masterpieces adorning the walls of the chapel and the sacristy. At this time of the afternoon break some boys gathered and sang songs, playing the guitar on the benches under the famous and gigantic nunerca tree in front of the chapel overlooking the huge expanse of fields extending to the borders of the villages of Calangute, Arpora and Parra, with a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea, the hills of Arpora, Parra and in the distance northwest the hills of Anjuna, while the music students would be practicing on the piano and violin in the music parlour. Incidentally, this room also served as a waiting room for the parents of students who visited the boarders. The Friars saw that they would always be offered a lunch. Prior to the after-noon session there was study time. Total silence reigned during this time as the “Boarding Father” constantly patrolled the corridor with his downcast gaze probably reading and concentrating on the Holy Book, but at the same time not losing any track of the odd erring student either! At this time of the after-noon we would on some days be interestingly distracted with the trucks supplying firewood as their engines whined climbing up the steep hill. Also the occasional BSA or Floret motor-cycle that revved up the hill was a novelty. I still treasure the moment when the Volkswagen Beetle first made its debut appearance at Monte in the late fifties. On the spur of the moment and in a sudden show of energy, a bunch of robust boys lifted the front end of this car about a foot of the ground! (I believe those boys were later reprimanded for their behaviour!) This car drew great admiration for its novel engine placement at the rear and its aerodynamic and compact design that was considered as a great German achievement and innovation of its time. It was my first fascinating look at the VW Beetle up close, inside and outside. Unforgettable indeed.

Tony Felicio Fernandes, Ex-student.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Sunset in Brookings, Oregon, USA.

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Watching a sunset reminds us of
nightfall and the of Creator of Night and Day.

Evening at Brookings, Oregon, USA

Friday, July 20, 2018

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One could view this photo for as long as possible,
but in reality a sunset is momentary.

Evening at Brookings, Oregon, USA.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

The long trek to school

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THE LONG TREK TO SCHOOL

During the late 1950's there were 12 students, from our small ward of Cumbiem Morod in Guirim, who were day-scholars. Early in the morning we met at the cross-paths in the centre of the village opposite the chapel. We then started our long walk, single-file, passing through other wards and fields all the way up the slope to St. Anthony’s at Monte de Guirim. The big boys led the way starting at 7.30 am sharp and I was the last one to trudge in that long line. We met other day-scholars along the way, and as we passed through other villages, we could hear the BBC News and music relayed by Radio Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. By the time we reached the hill-top we knew what was happening in the outside world - news conveyed by other students. There are a few instances of tragic news we heard during the 1960's on our way to school. One such moment was about the shocking assassination of President John F. Kennedy and exciting news about the Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite and Yuri Gagarin orbiting earth

Our village, though small, was a vibrant one. My best friends lived barely a wave, a gentle shout or a stone’s throw away, ever ready to help in any situation. Others friends were my classmates from surrounding villages. During the monsoon season the incessant rains flooded our usual winding paths through the fields. It was then sheer joy and fun to take the long way to school and back home.

We rushed home after school, had tea, expecting some sweet dish that grandma would make and then played football in the improvised grounds on the outskirts of our little village. These were actually rice fields cultivated by our neighbours. We waited patiently till the water and earth dried after the monsoon harvest and temporarily turned the fields into play grounds. We played till the village chapel bell rang for Angelus at dusk when everybody was expected to return home for prayers.

Time passed on and soon the older boys passed their Matric exams. The younger boys took their place to become into senior boys in turn. Some ex-students boys found jobs as teachers in the School at Monte, some worked in nearby towns, while others went to Bombay and elsewhere to pursue further education, and a few went abroad for employment. Then finally it was my turn to be a big boy. I was soon to lead the rest of the younger boys in the village. I missed the big boys especially Miki, my brother Jack, Cosme, Johnny - the stalwarts of the fifties that led the way through the monsoon season, carrying the youngest ones over their shoulders while crossing the flooded streams, keeping us close to them when strong gusts of wind threatened to take away our umbrellas, and lending us a helping hand to climb up the steep slopes of Monte. I tried to help and impart the same leadership of my predecessors through the years up to my SSCE. Oh, how I miss those days! Until the next time!

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Bamboo Mat Patterns



BAMBOO CRAFT

Patterns created from bamboo by local craft folks, mainly by women, either for their own use or for sale in the market place. These sort of patterns are created for winnows, baskets, floor mats, hot dish mats,containers, drainers and for various other purposes,

Friday, July 13, 2018

Goan Winnow

~ Goan Winnow ~

Line Artwork
 by Tony Fernandes
of Tonferns Creations

The ancient art of bamboo craft. Winnows are used in the homes or in the fields for separating grain from chaff. It is also used to remove hay and chaff from stored grain.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Birdie Num Num - Tonferns Pyrography


 


Woodburning by Tony Fernandes

This phrase was made famous by Peter Sellers in the movie "The Party". It was supposed to stimulate a parrot to interact with Peter and eat the seeds that Peter was "bombarding" the bird with. It didn't work, but the phrase lives on thru the fans of "The Party" which use "Birdy num num" for no other reason than to remind each other of the movie so they can start crackin up !!!


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Tonferns Creations


Music
for your
Listening & Dancing
Pleasure
No automatic alt text available.
Miniature Handicrafts.
Hollow body Height: 8 in.
 by 'Tonferns Creations'

1. Portuguese 'Tear Drop' Guitar
2. Violin 
3. Spanish Cutaway Flamenco Guitar
4. Upright Double Bass

Saturday, July 07, 2018

The Amazing Art of TinCan Banjo/Ukulele Creator

rosbilt
Metal Stringed Instruments

 Hand-made by
Ross Stuart
The Master Craftsman
of
TinCan Musical Instruments
Banjo/Ukulele/Mandolin/Guitar/Violin

 https://www.rosbilt.com/



Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Scenic Route 33 - Kingston Ontario

Scenic Route 33
along Lake Ontario from the city of Kingston
to Glenora Ferry at Aldolphustown,
located in Greater Napanee.