MINI REUNION WITH ANTON AMBROSE
Sunday 10th
July 2022. Satay House, Paddington, London.
Mahendra
“Speedy” Gonsalkorale.
(not sure I got the spelling right) and daughter-in-law Manori, Anton’s fiancé Sharon, Indrani Antonypillai’s charming daughter Rose and Bora’s wife Harshi. The Batch members were Anton Ambrose, Mahendra Gonsalkorale, Douglas Mulkirigama, Harsha Boralessa and Indrani Antonypillai.
Nihal
(ND) and Shanti had to withdraw because of illness, and Sakuntala Balakumar, Sunil
Abeysuriya, and Susheila had other commitments. We missed all of them.
A
welcome “surprise” was the brief Video appearance (on WhatsApp) of Zita, arranged
with me by her son Rohan. The mobile phone was passed around so that Zita could
be seen and heard. Zita would have loved to have come, but sadly her illness made travel
impossible. We missed you Zita!
The meal was enjoyed by all, and Anton produced a bottle of superb Californian Cabernet Sauvignon and some lovely chocolates! His son and his wife sadly had to leave us early, but who could blame them – the lucky couple managed to get tickets for the Wimbledon Men’s Final!
I
must thank Pram for introducing me to her contact Ayesha at Satay House, who was most helpful in planning the menu. The food was so tasty!
We spent many happy hours eating, drinking, reminiscing and of course, we had plenty of laughter!
Our
joy was somewhat tempered as we were all so concerned and worried by the unfolding
drama in Sri Lanka- saddened, worried and anxious.
From Anton Ambrose. Ty speedy for all your effort to plan the reunion I had lot of fun
ReplyDeleteIt is always a great pleasure to see my batchmates. I missed this great opportunity to meet them at Satay House, our famous venue. Thank you Mahen for the wonderful account of the event and the fine photos.
ReplyDeleteAnton certainly has not changed. I will most certainly try and catch up with him before they leave our shores. Meanwhile I wish Anton and the family a jolly good holiday in the UK.
From Douglas Mulgirigama. Thank you Mahen for organising a very pleasant get together. It was great meeting Anton and his family. Enjoyed the occasion very much. Thanks
ReplyDeleteFrom Harsha Boralessa. Thank you Mahen for organising a wonderful get
ReplyDeletetogether.We really enjoyed meeting Anton and Sharon
and all of you
SHANTI NALLIAH. I am sorry I missed this special occasion meeting Anton and family. Anton looks well and happy. Thanks Speedy for the photos. Enjoy the sunshine. God Bless
ReplyDeleteDHUSHY VEDAVANAM - So glad everyone enjoyed themselves.
ReplyDeleteSUSHEILA - Sorry to have missed the occasion
Anton looks good
Mahendra
ReplyDeleteYou are taking a lot of interest In keeping our batchmates together in organizing mini reunions and looking after the blog by publishing posts one after the other. Well done.
I was able to visualise the latest appearances of our batchmates. They haven't changed much. You all must have enjoyed yourself no doubt.
Anton you must have enjoyed your trip to UK with your family.
Wish you all, the very best.
Chira
thanks Chira for your kind words. Your support is always appreciated. I only hope that although not many commented, they all enjoyed seeing and reading about Anton
DeleteHi Speedy, Thanks for the photographs and the account of the mini reunion. I would have loved to be there particularly as Anton and I were Co -Interns with Ariyaman Mahanama Mendis way back in 1967 at DMH.
ReplyDeleteWe had to work hard but we enjoyed ourselves . Remember the parties we had in Menda's home, outings he organized for us Anton? I particularly remember the fun we had at St Michele playing cricket and generally fooling around. My love and best wishes to you Anton..
Big thank you to Speedy for the effort you make to keep us updated . Very happy to see that you have fully recovered from your bout of COVID.
Thanks for commenting Suri. I am sure Anton would have appreciated it and also will remember the good times you had together. Yes, I am fully recovered and back to playing golf etc..
ReplyDeleteThat last comment was from me!
ReplyDeleteI have to begin by apologizing for the extended absence from the blog. I don't have much of an excuse except that I have been rather preoccupied with the goings on in Sri Lanka, worried about the situation, wondering if my family members and others are able to get their prescription meds etc. So far so good, they tell me! As I write this there is cautious optimism, as Sri Lanka faces a parliamentary vote tomorrow. Prayers are being offered, fingers and toes are being crossed! Let's hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to see the photos you shared, Mahen. Thanks for your enthusiasm in getting the gang together. I hope Anton and family had a good time. At least a few of you were able to make it. I find that sometimes summer is a difficult time to get people together, because people make plans with their friends and family weeks ahead.
As I write this, all of you in England are baking in the extreme heat. So sorry that you have to suffer through all that. I hope you are being careful, staying hydrated etc., you know the drill...
I hope the weather will improve soon. Thinking of you all. 💕
Thanks, Srianee. Yes, the SL situation remains tricky and I do hope that a consensus candidate will emerge tomorrow and Ran-ill will become an also-Ran! The next step is the most important, I e.. an all party temporary Regime followed by restoration of 19A followed by general elections within 6 to 9 months. Anton is not keen on standing for Presidency, being the modest chdo he is!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about your temporary absence from the Blog, we all have plenty of other things to attend to.