The breakfast Bar is closed for the next 10 days

Ian and Pauline are away on vacation.

Thought you might like to read the sign from our Greek neighbour's restaurant.

This is given with special honor to Jonathan Seitandis, one of our Greek friends.

Blessings to all.

Other royal marriages. Elizabeth and Philip.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

For millions of their subjects there has never been a time in their lives when they have not had this august couple as their reigning monarchs.

In an age of easy divorce they have broken the record of being the longest married Royal couple - 64 years and counting.

In a couple of years time the queen will have reigned longer than any other sovereign.

In the swinging sixties they remained a steady spiritual influence upon a country that had deserted its ancient mores.

When the voices of the 'loonie left' labor party called for an end to the monarchy, Philip and Elizabeth out-lived them. When scandals shook the lives of their children they out-lasted them.

When personal disasters came in the death of Princess Di and the fire at Windsor castle they surmounted them.

They have been impeccable in the performance of their duty and regal role. When critics have said the institution of the Royals is too costly they out shone them in the wedding of the century that brought in billions into the national coffers.

And the queen is cool. When an intruder arrived in her bedroom at three in the morning, she rang for the butler so they could have an English cup of tea!

We say "Long live this grand couple". They are an inspiration to us all.

Ian

Other Royal marriages

Victoria and Albert.

Both were of German origin and were married after Victoria ascended the throne of England.

They were a devoted and loving couple until Prince Albert's  untimely death in 1861.

Until then they jointly embraced their role as queen and prince consort. They presided over the largest empire the world has ever seen with the serene conviction that God had brought them together for this lofty purpose.

They were also unexampled models of rectitude and to that end  daily prayers with the royal household, family devotions with their nine children and chapel services on Sunday were scrupulously observed.

Is it, therefore, a coincidence that the British Empire reached it's zenith during Victoria's reign?

In Canada they are memorialised by Victoria Day, the name of the province of Alberta and the city of Victoria on Vancouver island.

God did indeed "save our gracious queen" and we have all benefited because of it.

Ian

The other royal marriages

King Henry 8th and his wives.

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again."

That may be an excellent maxim for life but in marriage it is a sure formula for failure.

After divorcing Catherine of Aragon, the faithful wife of his early years, Henry went on a headlong dive of marital disasters and, strangely enough, it was always the fault of his wives. He beheaded two just to make his point.

From an earnest, God-fearing prince with athletic physique and film star good looks, Henry steadily degenerated. His last weeks on earth were spent cackling with the court jester, ulcerated in body, sour in mind, friendless but still dangerous.

The book of proverbs reads "Be content with the wife of your youth".

King Henry teaches us this truth by sad default.

In marriage we score him a resounding   'F'.

Ian