the (Royal) Wedding

So I went into town a little trepidatious- as I was, to be honest, quite content to stay at home, attend the street party at the end of our street, drink a toast to the happy couple and perhaps celebrate with a few friends later in the day.

I did not.

I went to town.  I had to run for the 9:15am train (which started some incredibly painful blisters and shin splints that are still lingering on).  I suppose I had better quantify that I ran in my birkenstocks from last year- which despite almost living in them for 8 months of the year- my feet had not become accustomed to just yet- and I paid the price.

Friends were waiting for me- encouraged that I actually made the train- and then we walked the length of the entire UK in 7 short hours.  Well, maybe not, but it felt like it with these blisters.  At one stage- well, how about I get to that later...

So there we were in town, I was seriously a 'follower' as I had little expectations of seeing much but thought it would be a nice atmosphere so long as there weren't any demonstrations...which we saw not a one.  The whole place was buzzing such a feel-good vibe that my feet stopped hurting.  Well, we'd actually managed to locate ourselves in a decent position and I didn't have to walk for a while!

This is where we were stationed.  The traffic light at the left side is Whitehall which leads down to Westminster Abbey. As you can see, we had an unobstructed view...of the cranes!  Seriously though, once I was standing on the barriers I did have a great view and was so pleased with shouting 'Kate & Will' and 'the QUEEN' that I forgot to take photos until it was too late! I did manage a few though...

 

If I put the zoom on my camera to it's full capacity I could see this through the lens- which was actually directly in front of where we were standing- Horseguards Parade is just past the archway- which is on the way to the Mall which finishes at Buckingham Palace...this is the archway that the tv cameras were taking footage from- you can see the camera even! I was (almost) on tv!



There were all sorts of people out with us- the 'crazy hat guy' who was taking photos of people taking photos of him- (quite clever- I might have to try that one day)- he was interviewed on the BBC- yes, sadly I did watch the BBC coverage of the event a few days later!- Well, I figure even though I was there I missed something (I actually realised I didn't miss anything after I'd fast forwarded the coverage for the tenth time)! And then there were the people (like me) trying to get a better view that anyone else- although I din't go to their lengths- and saved my fingers, knees and pride I'm sure of it!

sore fingers!

BBC tv cameras above us

An empty Horseguards Avenue

 So at the end of it all I had these:

 First in the proceedings was the runaway horse!  I thought it was some sort of symbolic thing- but turns out he just got spooked and ran home!

 

Kate & Will...almost...

 

...the bridesmaids...

 

...the parents...

 

...the Queen...

 ...and Harry and the boys.

Not too bad!

So then we moved onto the foot of the Mall for a popping of bubbly, a quick picnic and a regrouping of what the next plan of action would be.

This is our view as we moved down the Mall towards the Palace for a spot to see Kate & Will on the balcony.  It was an amazing credit to the police as everyone was moving orderly and it was carried out so well.  We managed to get a decent spot next to a tv crew- so although we could see them- well, we could see people on the balcony- we weren't crushed by the mass.  

 

the fly-bys...

Afterwards we went for another picnic, a snooze and a bit of red wine...then headed home via the bar at Southbank and the riverside pub in Richmond!

Here's a few random shots that I thought were worthy:

 

Our 'bunted' house!

 

these guys were only too happy to pose for me!

    

LOVED this lady's hat! LOVED IT!

Then there was the Hackney Pearly Queens- there were a few pearly princesses too but they must've gotten split from their group- because there were no Pearly Kings!

They were being interviewd by a tv crew when we happened upon them- and they were loving it!

And then there was the fallout for being up so early- and a big day of events for the tv crews.  These guys must've had that crane up and down three times while we were standing by them. 

So.  The blisters.  I was seriously in a world of pain and had to stop walking at one stage.  I finally managed to find a group of medics walking up the Mall- and not ONE of the 8-strong team had a plaster!  They explained it away by telling me that they were equipped mainly for 'disasters'- but don't you need plasters then too?!  I ended up at the St. John's tent and had to sign a form authorising treatment...(the treatment I received was being handed a tiny squeeze bag of saline solution and a plaster)...so I asked for two plasters!  Made the walk home a lot more bearable.  Thank you for having a first aid tent St. John's!- but I'm still confused by the group of 8 walking around London town with backpacks full of everything BUT plasters- and looking for a disaster!

Fab day- and I'm so pleased I was there to see it all happen...although as a friend has just said '...too bad you didn't actually get photos of anything actually happening...'.  WHAT?! The whole DAY happened!

ttfn