Today marks the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. This follows last year’s diamond jubilee celebrating her 1952 succession to the throne. The coronation took place 18 months later, on this day in 1953. Here in Fuengirola, there are a lot of transplants and tourists from Great Britain. So, Cafeteria Manila, our breakfast spot, hosted a “Coronation Lunch” to support a local British organization called “Age Care.” The cafe is home to Age Care’s drop-in “centre” (British spelling) and a host of clubs for locals and visitors — including a bridge club that sounds a bit too serious for San Geraldo’s tastes and an American club that sounds a bit too, well, American, which is not what we moved to Spain for. Besides, there are so few Americans here in Fuengirola that I think most weeks no one even shows up.
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| ELIZABETH II AND SAN GERALDO EL REY. DISTANT COUSINS. SO DISTANT THAT THERE’LL BE NO LUNCH FOR US AT THE PALACE… EVER. |
Oh, yeah, the coronation lunch. San Geraldo and I didn’t attend — “The Colonies” having escaped British lunches nearly 237 years ago. Anyway, we weren’t even invited. But I did manage to snap a couple of photos with my phone while we waited for our breakfast to be served. You can spot our eggs, bacon, and toast getting cold in the kitchen while two members of Cafeteria Manila’s team, Slushie and Richard, pose for a photo in their formal anniversary hats.
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| DOWNSTAIRS DECORATED FOR LUNCH WITH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE FESTIVITIES BACK IN ENGLAND. MY APOLOGIES FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN GLARING OFF THE REAR MIRROR… |
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| “SLUSHIE” AND RICHARD (HE’S THE MATURE ONE ON THE RIGHT) IT’S GOOD THEY MOVED TO SPAIN. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE. |
So much nobility in the first photo! It's almost too much to take in.
Michelle:
Fortunately, San Geraldo El Rey doesn't stand on ceremony. He truly is one of the people.
The photo of el rey with la reina is quite well done 🙂 Spot of tea, anyone?
Judeet:
What do you mean "quite well done"? Are you suggesting there may have been some "doctoring" involved?
Heh heh 🙂 Yes, I think that the royal folks found a photo of San Geraldo and photo-shopped that woman onto it!
Judeet:
That's disgusting. I can't believe someone would actually do that!
Thanks for this reminder Mitch. I should have known about the 60th anniversary but didn't….there goes my Canadian citizenship!!lol
In Canada we spell 'centre' this way too. I always thought it was because of the French but there you go. Who would have thought that this day would be celebrated in Spain?
Jim:
I had an appointment May 17 so missed the Norwegian "Syttende mai" festivities here in town, which included a parade. A very international little city.
Prince Philip looks sexier than I remember
John:
Prince Philip is just the royal consort. San Geraldo El Rey is the real thing.
I wonder what the folks back in South Dakota are gonna say when they see San Geraldo consorting with British Royalty! I love that picture.
Ms. Sparrow:
Genealogically (historically), San Geraldo and his family are well-connected with British Royalty. But that's as far as the connection goes. Anway, the rest of the family always thought he was kind of uppity…
Richard and Slushie look like 2 people who need to laugh once in awhile!
LOL
Ron:
We have a good time very morning.
One word of advice: If you ever get invited to a 'Rabbie' Burns night; run!
You don't want haggis, or even worse…black pudding.
(By the by: a Hoosier is a denizen of Indiana.)
Jacquelineand….
Thanks for the warning. Oddly, I like black pudding (they even have their own here in Spain), but I won't go near haggis. I always thought "Hoosier" was the beginning of a question, like: "Hoosier friend?" "Oh, that's Jacqueline."
She needs to last two years more – and be the champ !
Spo:
Do you suppose the baton will ever be passed to Prince Charles?