So that’s over

Proud to be British

All the hype and the jubilee been and gone, which can only mean that the London 2012 will now begin in earnest, but here in Seychelles (actually our flat) the excitement is that The Only Way is Essex aka TOWIE* is set to start on DSTV cable. Forget feeling proud to be British because of our Royals, these are the people who make me want to shed tears for my country.

* If you don’t know what TOWIE, ANTM, BGT, A/W 2012, SATC (ok showing my age) are, this likely means you live overseas, in a cave, or are my mate ‘L’   because if you’re in the UK, the longest running programme is TMI. What you don’t know what that is?**

** The Media Indoctrinators

*** CM – Cynical moi?

 

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Jubilee Social Whirl #2

We nearly missed the bus, or maybe we had missed the bus, but it came for us and there were three of us laggards at least, arriving belatedly at the Residence for the official celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. The President was arriving and the protocol guys were lined up and some bright spark in front decided to go down the line and shake their hands, so it was like do I have to do that? I did. I don’t think I’ve ever greeted colleagues so formally before, I don’t know who was more embarrassed, them or me. The Ex Boss and his wife were at the door ready to greet and I chatted on with myself. They probably thought ‘move along gobby northerner, the President is coming’, and I did eventually, though in hindsight I’d like to have stayed. I could have put a few questions to Mr Pres, but still best to be on my best behaviour I’ve not left the country yet.

It didn’t rain, a relief for all the guys who’d worked so hard to get event together, and marquees had been set up to host Nikki Murrary and The Sneer again (getting maximum use out of them), though it was a shame as most people were there for the social affair and the music really just a backdrop to the chit chat. It was a lovely do and fitting as the Ex Boss’ last one before he leaves. He made a speech as did the Minister of Foreign Affairs listing all that had been achieved in the past couple of years – quite a lot!- and also bittersweet moment when they made dedications to our colleague who died a couple of weeks ago. It was strange and sad for her not to be there.

It was probably the last time the other one and I will get to smooze with diplomats (not that I did, I was doing my usual trick of chasing the hors d’oeuvres around). However, I’m delighted to report that despite there having now been many occasions where I might have smoozed, I have done so in such a way that my dignity  (and theirs) has remained intact.  Well, as much as I remember at any rate.  Diplomacy holds. Now that’s worth celebrating.

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Jubilee Social Whirl #1

Live music in Seychelles courtesy of the British High Commission and Nikki Murray and The Sneer,my god, what next, our very own Glastonbury? The event was the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and I was happy for the excuse to get out, thus avoiding the incessant and inane commentary of all things jubilee on the tele. Whoever thought that 4 hours of watching boats move down a river would be exciting was clearly misguided – just because a painter has ‘brought something to life’ doesn’t mean that we then have to try, does it? Surely, that’s their talent –  I’ve never seen the Houses of Parliament cast in a Turner like glow, and I doubt a real life Mona Lisa would make it through the local auditions for cycle 1025 of America’s Next Top Model. The Thames was never going to be a Caneletto; more a Vienetta perhaps, masquerading as high brow.

Here in Seychelles, there was the official lighting of the beacon on the beach (a bonfire basically, and I made sure I wasn’t too close to it being lit, not wholly trusting that it wouldn’t go wrong) and the other one and I splashed out for once, joining the hoi polloi at the Berjaya Beau Vallon for a jubilee buffet and music from the bands already mentioned (and totally because I was supporting ex work colleagues and figured we didn’t have that many occasions left in Seychelles to celebrate!). There was plenty of food and choice, but it was filling and satisfactory rather than anything exceptional. There were loads of people there though. I was surprised.

Nikki Murray and his sidekick Victoria (I think) had great voices, though not quite music to my taste – sort of James Blunt or is it James Morrison I don’t know – and The Sneer were more jingly jangly guitar, again not quite my thing, and I certainly wasn’t drunk enough to dance at the front of the stage. I got a badge though. We didn’t stay too late as the other one was keen to get home so that he could watch the jubilee concert. I fell asleep.

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The daily grind

Looking for jobs. Tedious, occasionally exciting, mostly depressing. Previous experience in public sector not proving particularly helpful. Three degrees – the group more useful than my bits of paper. Pish posh.

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10 reasons to go back to the UK

Career. Lattes. Ikea. Cadburys.Trains.Parks.Unlimited Internet.Theatres.Bookshops.NHS. Fresh Milk.

 

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10 reasons to leave Seychelles

#1 It’s small

Sometimes its just not enough

#2 No sunday newspapers
#3 Daft/drunk drivers
#4 Need car to get anywhere after 7pm
#5 UHT milk
#6 Expensive
#7 Arts/Culture is something you read about
#8 Good customer service is something you dream about
#9 One man political opposition
# 10 It’s small

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10 reasons to love Seychelles

#1 The sun shines a lot
#2 Fabulous beaches
#3 Translucent topaz ocean
#4 Refreshing lack of consumerism/brands
#5 Giant Tortoises
#6 Amazing views
#7 Great walks
#8 Laid back ambience
#9 No reality TV/media rubbish
#10 Punches above its weight for a small island

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