Memories of London outings with Sorabjee
It was at this time of the year when London travel plans and schedules of the late Soli Sorabjee would be fully in place. All confirmed luncheon, dinner meetings, social events and lectures would be jotted by him in his pocket diary, which would generally be pulled out at our tea-time meetings at the India International Centre (IIC) over cold coffee and cheese straw. He would tell me, “Dost, keep me posted about your London travel plans and give me a call once you arrive.”
Once Sorabjee called on the landline, which was answered by my younger daughter, who was about five years old at that time. She told us “some strawberry uncle” had called. Whenever he met her after that, he would exclaim ‘strawberry’ and laugh.
London trip preparations would begin well in advance. Hair cut to be done reasonably prior in point of time. His trademark witty reasoning: He did not want to look like shorn sheep.
Many years ago, he told me that he had decided to use wheelchair services while landing at Heathrow airport as it was quite a walk from the aircraft to the baggage carousel. He would be at the immigration desk in the wheelchair, adorning his tweed jacket and cap with a Scottish muffler and the protocol officer in attendance.
Just touching down in London was a wonderful feeling. He was often accompanied by his doctor son Jehangir. Their permanent address: A flat in the chic Marylebone area.
London was so close to his heart. He would look forward to his summer sojourn. He knew central London like the back of his hand. Daunt’s on Marylebone High Street and Hatchard’s, the official bookseller to the Royal Household, were two of his favourite book shops. He would source his daily copy of the Asian Age from a
Gujarati newsagent on Marylebone High Street. He loved reading newspapers. Often on my flight to London, I ferried Indian newspapers for him. His suite at the IIC warehoused neatly stacked newspapers.
The annual ritual would be organising a sit-down dinner evening with the legal fraternity from both sides of the water at the Royal Overseas League. An iconic landmark of London, nestled between The Ritz and Jermyn Street, one of the most fashionable high-end shopping areas of London. In fact, ROSL is much like the IIC of London with a lot of old-world charm.
He was smitten with ROSL as much as IIC. Sparkling conversation, which he savoured with beef tartare, Perrier and a spot of cognac. Equally venerable, the late Sir Brian Kerr, a judge of the Supreme Court of England, fondly cherished that Soli was great entertainment. His name moved mountains. The Blairs invited the legend for dinner at 10 Downing Street when we were attending the Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in London in September 2005.
When his health permitted, I’ve seen Soli briskly walking to Bond Street tube station. He loved the chimes at the entrance of Selfridges; and enjoyed coffee and nibbles at the Selfridges Café. Thornton’s sugar-free chocolates, liquid Primula cheese and Scottish shortbread were a token of affection from London trips. My last unfailing purchase at the British Airways Heathrow terminal always has been sugar-free chocolates from the Boot’s pharmacy. The Boot’s carry bag brought him so much joy. He would immediately open one bar of chocolate and share it with me. He had a sweet tooth.
The sweetest, grandest and kindest memories of our association will never be erased from our hearts and minds, with no gaps ever at all. Reverberating the phrase “mind the gap”, crisp announcements made on the London tube brought an instant twinkle in his eye when he would get on to any elevated area.
HIS NAME MOVED MOUNTAINS. THE BLAIRS INVITED THE LEGEND FOR DINNER AT 10 DOWNING STREET WHEN WE WERE ATTENDING THE COMMONWEALTH LAWYERS CONFERENCE