Diamonds may be forever, as Shirley Bassey sang at the Jubilee concert in Buckingham Palace, but then... Nothing lasts forever!
My goodness, how time flies!
I tried to write my blog before our flight to Turkey with Hala last week, but it became an impossible task with that social calendar filling up the pages of my diary.
Let's now go back to Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It began on Sunday, 3 June, with a Flotilla going through the Thames. To watch the event 'Sur Place', as it took place, I was invited by Arabel to her friend Liz's apartment, facing the river, for an afternoon party. The weather... Mmm... typically cold and rainy for a June day! But hey, we live in what must be the most unpredictable zone (weather-wise) worldwide. Poor Prince Phillip had pneumonia from parading in the rain that day.
We gathered at Liz's lunchtime to mingle and make new acquaintances while the TV was on, showing the beginning to end of the Flotilla. It started well, and everyone looked in good spirits. The commentators made more out of each smile the Queen carried, but I only got one glimpse of the lady's cheer. She must have been displeased with the Lord for producing such a wet day for her special celebration. Her Majesty's wit, that dry sense of humour that the Brits are masters at, has been mentioned over and over again in the tabloids. The only thing is... Why do they call it 'dry'? We do live in the wettest of climates here!
Back to the Flotilla party, as we watched the Queen's parade get closer to our destination, the cheers heard outside the open windows, coming in with a gush of cold wind into the living room, brought excitement to an already happy atmosphere. Everyone gathered by the ample open space, unless they could face the rain and cold, standing on the balcony facing the Thames. Oh! I managed a glimpse of Her Majesty as she went up the stairs to the upper deck of the Royal Barge. The thousand-vessel pageant was one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river Thames, and it was as well organised as one would expect it to be. The whole country was in celebration. At the supermarket cashier's, I heard a man declare to be barbecuing 400 burgers for their street party, amongst many held nationwide. The British flags were hanging through most streets and shops, which had been decorated to follow the event's theme. A jolly good show!
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| The passing of the vessels |
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The Royal Barge
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| The Commonwealth flags |
When I left the party just after 7:00pm, the streets were still buzzing from the day's Jubilation.
Monday 4th, was a Bank Holiday in the UK when many crowded the streets once again to gather in London parks where large screens were on display of the event, and all I wanted to do was stay home and watch the Jubilee concert on my own TV screen. The sun shone for the masses, and Gary Barlow earned himself an OBE for organising such a magnificent event in honour of the Queen's Special weekend. Yes, Sir! Well, I had to miss the fireworks, replaced by my exceptional outburst of explosions with a special visit... From Christofer.
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The crowd outside Buckingham Palace
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| A Happy Queen Elizabeth |
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| 'Unity through Diversity' Prince Charles' Speech |
If we each chose to be some sort of Queen, what would you choose as a title?
Would mine have to be 'The Lover Queen', or should I settle for 'The Naughty Queen'? I prefer the latter.
Next comes Turkey, Running away from the cold and wet June into a sunny destination by the sea: Kemer.
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