Government House Reception
At 6pm on the 9th November 2007 His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Huckle invited me to a reception at Government House.
Everywhere else I had been was either by 4 x 4 or taxi but this time the Governors house was 5 minutes walk down the road. Luckily the weather was good so I was able to leave my coat and just go in my suit. I took my cameras too which were kindly looked after by the secretary to Mr Huckle.
On arrival we were greeted by staff at the door who plied us with red/white wine or beer. There were soft drinks but they were not an option. We were then invited to sign the guest book. We had a presentation to give too and Alan Carlisle did the honours. Once we managed to get the Governors attention Alan presented the Governor with our book 'ordeal by Exocet' signed by Ian Inskip.
(Alan presenting our gift the Governor).
Governor: The Falkland Islands are a United Kingdom Overseas Territory by choice. Supreme authority is vested in Her Majesty The Queen and exercised by a Governor on her behalf, with the advice and assistance of the Executive and Legislative Councils.
(Dotty, Smudge, me, Mark, Governor and Dave)
There is a tradition at the house where you sneak into the billiard room lie on the flloor and sign your name under the snooker table. We signed our names but to make sure we created a new tradition of signing the back of the scoreboard which we took off the wall. Whether this has been sussed yet who knows.
After the reception I walked out with Dave Bellamy who was having dinner at Don Bonner's (infamous Falkland Islander during the war) and I was asked if I wanted to attend. We had home made pie with potatoes fresh vegetables and gravy. It wasn't the last meal I had with the Bonner Family as on the last night Tim and Hayley Bonner gave me a roast Upland Duck dinner again in the company of Dave. Later that night it ws Smudge, Dave and I at the Bonners for drinks as a farewell get together. Excellent.
Version: 1.0 (2 December 2007)
