One of the things I love most about living in Spain is the “coffee culture”.  If you walk through town and meet a friend there are always lots of wonderful open-air bars to stop for a coffee and a chat.  I am sure we all have our favourites. There is nothing better than meeting someone who has time for a coffee, and sitting with them, chatting and watching the world go by.  The Spanish are particularly good at this, so no wonder there are so many little bars throughout Spain all with their loyal customers.

I sometimes wonder if it would be so pleasant if I didn’t know so many people though the Legion.  I always look as I walk along for one of you to corner and stop for a coffee with.  It is very rare not to see someone in the streets of Coin who has not become a Legion member, and these little tables along the way are a great source of joy to me and I have drunk more coffee in Spain than at any other time in my life.

Making time for a relaxed chat is part of the great joys of friendship, and bars and coffee shops have now become part of our lives.  The small market town I lived near in Scotland had only one tea-room, always packed with people relaxing during their shopping trips.  Behind the dark glass you couldn’t see them until you went in.  I much prefer inviting myself to a table in the open air where one or two of you are sitting in full view.

This summer I hope we all get to cement friendships in these lovely little places, so that we are a happy group of British Legion members, secure in our companionship and committed as one to our Branch, its various activities and its fund-raising efforts.