God save the Queen!

[David M. Bueker]

I would toast her memory with English wine, but sadly I do not have any.

God save the King!

[Jenise]

I don't either. But a nice claret would suffice, I'm sure.

She was a symbol of rectitude and dignity in an era when such qualities are increasingly lacking in public life. I hope her son will be able to carry on in the same way. I do not know what was her favourite tipple but England has a long association will claret ever since her Plantagenet forebears ruled over Aquitaine.

[Jenise]

Last night we skipped wine (2nd day of a self-imposed two day break, as we do from time to time), but I did make bangers and mash for dinner in a deliberate sort of little tribute. (I'm able to get real British sausage just over the border and keep some in the freezer at all times.) Tonight, though, we'll have claret and a proper toast to Her Majesty.

She apparently picked up the habit of Dubonnet and gin from the Queen Mother who was partial to a tipple or three.

Interesting that Charles, who had previously said he wouldn't choose Charles as a monarch's name (the first two that carried that name did not exactly distinguish themselves, the first rather losing his head and the second, while very competent had a habit of taking other men's wives as mistresses) did in fact take it in the end.

He could choose among Charles, Philip, Arthur, and. George. The last one probably wouldn't have predisposed the US to like him, Phillip was the name of Spanish monarchs that were enemies of Britain, and Arthur would be a tad twee, no?

RIP Queen Elizabeth. I was raised in a family of monarchists, and so the Queen was always around in pictures, xmas messages, etc. One can wonder about the necessity of the monarchy in Canada, but even those strongly against it usually agreed the Queen herself was beyond reproach. She was the epitome of class, duty, service and selflessness. I did have the chance once to see her give a short speech, and truly enjoyed it. She will be a hard act to follow for the new King.

She apparently picked up the habit of Dubonnet and gin from the Queen Mother who was partial to a tipple or three.

A friend was trying to buy a bottle of Dubonnet in Manchester (England) today to toast her. Most places had sold out, but he eventually found a bottle at an inflated price.

I think she also enjoyed a glass of Liebfraumilch

[Jenise]

Once upon a time I lived in the Manchester area for a year (Macclesfield to be precise) and fell in love with Britain. While there I read countless books about past and present royalty, and while I agree that the monarchy has outlived its usefulness I am nonetheless fond of the royals and have nothing but respect for the irreproachable ERII.

I made a meal in her honor last night. Lacking the pastry needed for beef wellington, I shuffled the ingredients into two course. With pink gin martinis we had seared foie gras on sourdough toast points, and with seared filet mignons topped with mushrooms in brandy and cream over a bed of asparagus, we opened a 2007 Nota Bene red blend--not English, but the best from one of the Commonwealths struck me as entirely appropriate.

Bill, don't you suppose that Charles at this point, regardless of what he might have thought 20 or however many years ago, is at 73 years old now inseparable from his name? He won't serve long enough for the world to adjust to anything else.

Once upon a time I lived in the Manchester area for a year (Macclesfield to be precise) and fell in love with Britain.

I've moved about bit, but was brought up in North Staffordshire, and now live in South Manchester, so we may have been practically neighbours at some point. Certainly using an American notion of distance!

[Jenise]

and now live in South Manchester, so we may have been practically neighbours at some point. Certainly using an American notion of distance!

Yes, indeed, a great area. I roamed all over, including driving to Chester every other day for the first six months to visit my cat, who had been quarantined. Lived in a very cool old house. Let me see if I can find a picture of it.

[Jenise]

Steve, here's a great picture of it. 101 Byrons Lane.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-42897926-12186115?s=f73088b4b671289e9516b90cc5aa79e595f5cebb8912ddf721c2fdfe330ef5af#/

Steve, here's a great picture of it. 101 Byrons Lane.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-42897926-12186115?s=f73088b4b671289e9516b90cc5aa79e595f5cebb8912ddf721c2fdfe330ef5af#/

Looks great, but with those huge bay windows I can see how it could be cold in winter. Character-building!

[Jenise]

OMG was it ever. I was 24 and had never lived outside of America before. Doing without a dryer or a walk-in shower, and heating with coal fireplaces--that was character building!!!!