After at least two failed attempts going back more than 30 years - one due to a car crash in Switzerland, the other to a broken foot - we finally make it to Sardinia to visit Andrew and Marta. Fitting that the visit comes at this time in what has become the “season of reunions”, first in Oxford, then Madrid and now Cagliari!
I’ve known Andrew for the longest time - we think 60 years, going back to the time when we were scout cubs and Andrew’s big brother was our troop leader! I don’t remember either of us lasting too long in scouting (I never could master the knots) but Andrew and I went to the same high school. Through our teen years, we travelled a lot together both around the UK and around Europe. Andrew met and married Cagliari native, Marta, moved to Sardinia in 1978 and apart from a brief get together in London sometime in the mid-80’s, we haven’t seen each other since.
Having established a business and himself in Sardinia, Andrew was appointed Honorary British Consul in Sardinia in 1992, a post he has held ever since outlasting both numerous British ambassadors in Rome and numerous Foreign Secretaries in London. Over that time, Andrew has rescued numerous British tourists in one sort of trouble or another, dealt with people who claim to be British but aren’t, helped to repatriate bodies both alive and dead, unveiled plaques (Lord Byron and DH Lawrence both left their mark on Sardinia) and been on hand to greet and support visiting British dignitaries on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government from Prince Charles to David Beckham.
On occasion, Andrew’s duties have been rather more significant. During the Balkan conflicts of the 1990’s, Cagliari became a staging post for British naval ships participating in NATO’s involvement and Andrew was on hand to greet the ships’ captains, provide local liaison and support and occasionally pass coded messages between the ships and London. Andrew’s role was recognized by the Queen and HM Government when he was awarded an MBE in the 1999 New Years Honours and invested by Prince Charles at a Buckingham Palace. Career diplomats are often similarly rewarded for their service, but this honour is rarely awarded to an Honorary Consul
We spend one very delightful evening at Andrew and Marta’s apartment together with their family - son Philip and his partner Marina, daughter Emma - going and laughing hysterically through old slides (Andrew managed to persuade his ancient projector to work!), a record of some of the travels around the UK and Europe that Andrew and I did together 50 years and more ago.
The hero of Graham Greene’s novel, “The Honorary Consul” doubled as a spy. Andrew wouldn’t be drawn on that though! He’s not sure how much longer he will be in post, but hopefully for years beyond the retirement age of 70 which can be required by the government of the host country. In keeping with the times in which we live, there have been numerous cutbacks and London-mandated belt-tightening, but as long as he’s able, Andrew will be happy to keep the flag flying in this delightful corner of Italy!
