This extended Video Clip recorded in the late 1980s takes many of us back to disappearing slices of life and its interactions within the Galle Fort, an arena that has been altered in ,but nevertheless retains its old world charm even today — while boasting astronomical land prices.
Amangalla 
SOME SPONTANEOUS RESPONSES TO THIS VIDEO TALE:
From JOE SIMPSON in Canada: “Hello Michael: Listening to this on my iMac while taking a break from working remotely at home on my legal advice clinic. Haunting to hear Nesta and Gracie speaking back in about 1987 as if they are in the room here with me! This must have been recorded about a year before I last saw Nesta at the NOH in early 1988, when on my way (via Japan) to Canada to start a new life here. A that time (Jan 1988) she had a private guest staying with her, an elderly retired English medical doctor who’d served with the RAF in Ceylon during WW2 who’d been stationed at Koggala and knew the hotel from back then. He’d heard her being interviewed on the BBC radio and decided to revisit the Island for the first time in nearly half a century. He’d been a mdic with the RAF too, I recall. Frightful bore, alas! Over tea on the hotel verandah all he could do was complain about the tropical heat and itemize the diseases he’d treated in the service. Nesta was an accomplished & practiced performer when it came to pretending to be fascinated by the conversation boring dinner guests. Back in the early seventies a frequent visitor to the NOH was the late Hal Brohier’s sister, Cherie I think her first name was, a very down-to-earth, likeable lady, Nesta’s sister-in-law. Gracie I also remember, as I recall she had a great love of Jim Reeves songs and played them on her LP player. All great characters long gone but preserved in memory …. Thanks for sharing this treasure!
…….Best, Joe
From Nelun Mackie nee De Alwis in London:
“Gosh Michael- the reincarnation of the Dutch Burghers
From Manoranjan in Canberra: …. Dear Michael, I liked this very much. Thanks for sharing.
Regards and best wishes, Mano.
***** ****
SOME EVOCATIVE SNAPSHOTS
The Burgher Tennis Club within the Fort — framed picture in the possession of Moira and David Colin-Thome …..
********
ALSO NOTE this reference from IVAN AMARASINGHE in UK: …..