Receptions, Formal and Informal

Huge posters of the "Harry Potter" movie were plastered on the terrace walls of the British Embassy residence for H.M. Queen Elizabeth birthday celebration on the 52nd year of her reign. In fact, the evening’s theme was the British film industry, and PM Tony Blair, from a mega screen, was inviting guests to take a new look at British cinema.

Ambassador Paul Dimond was joined in toast by DFA Undersecretary Jose Brillantes and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Czech Ambassador Stanislav Slavicky.

Some 600 guests filled the spacious lawn where buffet tables, laid under canvas tents, offered delicacies with a British touch–bangers and mash, fish and chips, roast steamship of beef with Yorkshire pudding, assorted puddings, Dundee cake and English trifles.

Early arrivals were Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce, Tereret Liboro, Ronnie and Menchu Concepcion who quickly joined Jaime and Lizzie Zobel, and Spanish Ambassador Ignacio and Aurora Sagaz.

The ideals of liberty and justice were recalled at the reception Argentine Ambassador Mario Schuff tendered at the Intercon Skytop to mark his country’s 194th anniversary of the 1810 May Revolution. Forthwith, he and his wife Silvia welcomed guests to the particularly significant occasion, four years having passed since their National Day was celebrated.

As I arrived, lively dance music was being played at the informal farewell reception NZ Ambassador Terry Baker was hosting at his residence, and guests must have been sorely tempted to trip the light fantastic.

As I was leaving, I greeted Finnish Ambassador Raimo Anttola, Thai Ambassador Busba Bunnag and Russian Ambassador Anatoli Nebogatov and his wife Valentina, but missed seeing the amiable Defence Attaché, Group Captain Jim McMillan. Terry and Jane Baker are leaving legions of friends who will surely miss them.