Well, me and my oldest two sons made it to London to see the Flotilla part of the jubilee. It was a cloudy, gray day. The cloud cover was quite low. My second son pointed this out to me, so I took the picture!
It was quite an experience! We caught the train into London around 12:30 and took the tube (or the underground) directly to the Tower of London which was where the flotilla ended. Once we got off the train, the city was quiet but there was a definite buzz in the air. The feeling has been very similar to our 4th of July holiday.
I decided that we needed to head up the river to find a spot to a viewing spot that would afford us good visibility. So, we started walking. We headed toward Tower Bridge and there we found that we were not allowed on the bridge itself as it was shut off by the Bobbies. But we stood and watched the Jumbo Tron and got to see the Kate, Wills and the Queen board the Royal Barge. After that we took a walk. Sadly, we headed the WRONG way. Seriously, are you really surprised? My sons were good chaps and they took my wandering in good spirits and with little complaints, thankfully!
We walked about 15 minutes or so and found a tube station. I really wanted to watch from Westminster, so we got on the tube and headed that way. We got off the tube and the excitement was amazing! All the bells were tolling and we got there just ahead of the Queen, yeah! Sadly, we were not able to get in anyplace to see her, boo! All the streets were again blocked off so, we still could not get close to the river.
We walked down to Traflager Square and then as we were walking back to the tube station, passing the London Eye, we crossed paths with the Queen. So, at least we were close to her at one point even though we could not see her!
We waited for the crowds to die down a bit at Westminster and then hopped back on the train and headed back to the Tower of London. We exited the tube station to pouring down rain.
With two teenage boys who had been exceedingly patient with their crazy Mum, we grabbed some delicious sugared peanuts from a street vendor and watched what was left of the flotilla with a very limited view from the Tower of London in the pouring rain. After I decided that we were soaked enough, we headed to catch the tube back to the train to head back home. Mission was not accomplished, but it was great to be down in London with all the crowds and to feel the vibe of the city.
This was the only trip that we made to London during the Jubilee. The cool weather and rain was a deterrent. I had fully intended to go into London on Tuesday, especially when I read in the official Jubliee program that the Golden Carriage was going to be used. When I read in the news the night before that the Golden Carriage was not going to be used, and with the combination of a few other things like the weather, I decided to stay at home and watch the rest of the Jubilee celebration curled up on the coach under my warm blanket, warm and not wet!
It was quite an experience! We caught the train into London around 12:30 and took the tube (or the underground) directly to the Tower of London which was where the flotilla ended. Once we got off the train, the city was quiet but there was a definite buzz in the air. The feeling has been very similar to our 4th of July holiday.
We walked about 15 minutes or so and found a tube station. I really wanted to watch from Westminster, so we got on the tube and headed that way. We got off the tube and the excitement was amazing! All the bells were tolling and we got there just ahead of the Queen, yeah! Sadly, we were not able to get in anyplace to see her, boo! All the streets were again blocked off so, we still could not get close to the river.
We walked down to Traflager Square and then as we were walking back to the tube station, passing the London Eye, we crossed paths with the Queen. So, at least we were close to her at one point even though we could not see her!
 |
| Admiralty Arch |
With two teenage boys who had been exceedingly patient with their crazy Mum, we grabbed some delicious sugared peanuts from a street vendor and watched what was left of the flotilla with a very limited view from the Tower of London in the pouring rain. After I decided that we were soaked enough, we headed to catch the tube back to the train to head back home. Mission was not accomplished, but it was great to be down in London with all the crowds and to feel the vibe of the city.
This was the only trip that we made to London during the Jubilee. The cool weather and rain was a deterrent. I had fully intended to go into London on Tuesday, especially when I read in the official Jubliee program that the Golden Carriage was going to be used. When I read in the news the night before that the Golden Carriage was not going to be used, and with the combination of a few other things like the weather, I decided to stay at home and watch the rest of the Jubilee celebration curled up on the coach under my warm blanket, warm and not wet!
No comments:
Post a Comment