Empires are ruled by emperors and empresses. Queen Victoria sat on the English throne from 1837 to 1901. The pressure of her reign required regal rest and her summer residence was the Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight. The Italian Renaissance palazzo reminded her beloved Prince Consort of Naples.
I have stood on the beach along the Solent. I have never been to Naples, but I have stood on the beach below the former royal resort. The view across the Solent to Portsmouth has little in common with the sight of Vesuvius. My memories is crowded with that vista from having dined at hundreds of Italian restaurants specializing in meatball and spaghetti.
Osbourne House had been a rest home for HM naval officers from 1903 to the early 1990s. The grounds were off-limits to the citizens of the realm, however in the summer of 1984 the son of a London auctioneer opened the Cricket House as a hotel for his friends. Bentham was the black sheep of the family. His guests were notorious for their loose morals. My friend Vonelli had rented the nearby cottage. The art dealer from Florida invited my roommate and me to holiday over Cowes Week.
Jackie graced the covers of French Vogue and Elle. She had been photographed naked by the most illustrious fashion photographers of the 80s. We shared a duplex on Ile St. Louis. Her husband paid the rent. The South African told the ex-legionnaire that I was gay. Jean-Marc bought the lie, mostly because our relationship was strictly platonic in that I wanted her and she didn’t recognize my desire.
Jackie was a welcome addition to the Cricket House.
Within an hour of our arrival Jackie was asked to crew on a racing sloop. Cowes was stunned by her beauty. A member of the Royals commented that the model resembled Ava Gardner. Vonelli watched from the bar, as she danced with the British upper rust. He knew his place. They wouldn’t be lovers for another two years. I was happy for the both of them.
This week celebrated 185th Cowes Week. I haven’t been to the Isle of Wight since 1987. Over 1000 yachts raced the courses on the Solent. The Burning of Tottenham must have been mentioned at the parties. The Tory PM deemed to be seen far from the regatta, as he criticized the London constabulary and condemned the 1000-plus looters processed by the courts.
“Zero tolerance for street crime.”
Muggings , graffiti, and civil disobedience will be met with water cannons and a thunk on the head with a truncheon.
Cameron made mention of the banks.
Their looting does not require burning.
I bet that he’s dying for a glass of champagne.
After a few bottles of Veuve the Solent at night could be Napoli.
Especially if Portsmouth was aflame.