In January 2007 he met with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to discuss renewable energy in the Maldives.

In February 2007, Blake received minor injuries from a mortar blast while exiting a helicopter at a Sri Lankan air base in Batticaloa, where he was to attend a development meeting.

[8] The Tigers claimed they were not informed by the government that the ambassador was present and were only returning fire from the Sri Lankan Army.

Blake was known to be engaged in the Sri Lankan civil society and practice what came to be known as "Public Diplomacy" which led some to label him as an interferer in internal affairs of the country.

[2] He was replaced by Nisha Desai Biswal on October 23, 2013, after being nominated by President Obama to serve as U.S.