WHERE TO GO
David Blunt and his wife Geirid with Jelena Krmpotić from „Wings“ (on the right) , Photo by Photo by Snježana Ivić/CDC
BRITISH AMBASSADOR LEAVING
Blunt: My sailboat stays in Sukošan
A farewell reception at the apostolic nunciature for the British ambassador David Blunt and his wife Geirid was organised December 15, 2011. Deviating from the usual protocol, according to which the leaving ambassador is given a crystal plate by his colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps with their names engraved on it, H.E: Mr. David Blunt asked that the equivalent of the money which was to be spent on the plate be donated to „Wings", an organisation for therapeutic horse riding for physically challenged.
- The highlight of my three-and-a-half-year mandate was the visit of British princess Anne, in February 2009. The princess is a sponsor to organisations for therapeutic horse riding in Great Britain, so she also visited organisation „Wings" in Zagreb. I am a passionate horse rider, but to me, it was a true revelation to see how horse riding could help handicapped children. Therefore, I continued cooperating with „Wings" - Ambassador Blunt told us.
Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Mario Cassari said that lively David Blunt will be remembered by his numerous activities and talents. This Scot from Aberdeen has given Scottish dance lessons in Regent Esplanade and together with „Ivan Goran Kovačić" choir sung the magnificent oratorio „Messia" by George Friedrich Händel at Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. He loves sailing, and the sailboat that stays in Sukošan will be the future of his connection with Croatia, whose coast Blunt has fell in love with.
- You will keep seeing me at sea, especially near Korčula! - said Blunt at the farewell party.
This was also Blunt's farewell to diplomacy. After 32 years in Her Majesty's service, David Blunt is moving to business sector. He will be focusing on the technology for using wind in the production of energy.
His wife Geirid, who is Norwegian, is thrilled because in London the whole family will gather at last. She will spend Christmas holidays with her sons, Marcus, Alexander and Freddy, as well as with her daughter in law, Kate.