A jubilee jamboree!

In spite of the dreadful English weather, Britons turned out today in their millions to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.  Besides getting an email from Thud about the awful weather at home, I had to laugh at this NBC News report:  "Black clouds, gusting winds and often torrential rain - the hallmarks of a British summer outdoor event - were unable to darken the magnificence of the display, although several people were treated for hypothermia."  So all in all, a typical English summer day.

Here in Vinoland the celebrations went without a hitch and under much better climatic conditions.  With an English reinforcement, the School Teacher, a selection of English, Welsh and Scottish cheeses were consumed (with Jacob's Cream Crackers, of course), all washed down with a bottle or two of Newcastle Summer Ale.  

A good time, under the warm California sun, was had by all.

Keep calm and drink wine.

Happy Friday!  Happy first day of June!  I'm feeling in a celebratory mood.

This weekend, with a little pomp and circumstance, I'm going to join in the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne, from my little corner of California.

Sixty years, that's quite an achievement.  During her long reign Elizabeth II has managed to remain calm - suffering through bothersome in-laws, ever diminishing dominions, the waxing and waning of the monarchy's popularity and her famous annus horribilis - which I'd like to think could possibly be attributed to drinking wine. However, I hear the Queen often favours martinis over first-growth clarets.  But still, I bet she has a more than passable collection of Bordeaux in the cellars beneath Buckingham Palace.

So with my Union Jack embellished serviettes, fairy cake cases and yards and yards of bunting I'm ready for a party in Vinoland.

Deus servo Regina.