Of Water & Spirits

Monday evening offered TD a pleasant mix of interventions.
We started off @ the US Embassy compound dominating the northern end of Liguanea
Entry proved taxing, what with the ihe involved security procedure, but having passed through we were afforded entry into the conference room on the second flor of the main building, its large windows giving us a welcome perspective on the St Andrew hills and the Blue Mountains.
of course those areas are pivotal to the evening's topic of discussion: water resource management. The two main presentations, from Jamaica Environmental Trust Director Suzanne Stanley and US engineer Glen Galloway respectively, offered varying insights and perspectives on the issue of water resources and what we might do to preserve nad maximize them.

The latter presentation was the more engaging, if only for the presenter's wide experience and easy homespun wit. that aside, the event is primarily aimed for public consumption and participation and the full house did both, contributing questions and comments ranging from desalination as a an alternative to gravity-fed water harvesting (in the aforesaid hills) to the use and diversion of external water sources for the Kingston Metro region.

From there it was on to Devon House, where the official reopening of the refurbished great house as well as the restaurant/pub complex was winding down upon our arrival. Nonetheless, we had the opportunity to view the new surroundings (the Pub, that is; will get into the Great House soon) and talk to wayne Foster, who has assumed ownership of the storied watering hole, with the promise of great things -and times - to come.

There was wine and Devon Duppies courtesy of Wray & nephew/Lascelles and we gladly obliged. Of course where there are people and drinks, there is inevitable conversation and reminiscence and in the very affable person of Ramson's general manager Raymond Silvera, we had quite a time recalling - and discovering - some of the long gone and almost forgotten night clubs and hot spots that used to dot Kingston ,both uptown and downtown.

All appetites sated, we departed - but not before recognizing former Prime minister Edward Seaga, Mexican ambassador Lenora Rueda and the ladies of the Friends of Devon House, who lost no time in co-opting this writer into their activities.
Ah well, its nice to be needed as a man.