Popped up to town to catch Trooping the Colour yesterday. Staked out a space in the crowd to take some photos. It seemed the whole world was out in London to enjoy the sun and watch the parade.
The crowd was huge and we had to jostle to keep our view. Eventually, the sound of marching bands. They marched past on their way back to Buckingham Palace followed by mounted cavalry pulling gleaming gun carriages. Ranks of immaculate troops in step to a drum. More marching bands. Then carriages of royals, waving serenly.
The Queen came passed in an open carriage accompanied by the Duke in full uniform with huge bearskin. She looked good. As they approached the crowd noticeably swelled as people waved and clapped. The man next to me raised his hand to wave and stuck his elbow right in front of my camera. I now have a blurry picture of his arm. Humph !
Almost as soon as the carriages came into view, they were gone. Following behind were the regimental colonels and crusty old generals on horseback. Cavalry officers of the old school. They sure looked the part. Hollywood couldn’t have done better.
It was an enormously impressive parade. Choreographed and planned to the samllest detail. The rule seemed to be the more gold a soldier was wearing the higher the rank. The uniforms were elaborate and finely detailed. Some soldiers looked more like pearly kings than fighting men. My favourites were the bagpipers in kilts and bonnets with green capes thrown over one shoulder. They looked like Robin Hood !
The police gradually moved the crowds to the palace gates and the royals came onto the balcony to watch the flypast. We got a good spot near the front gate. I had heard the new Eurofighter was in the flypast and particularly wanted to see it. At bang on 1.00 the first plane flew low over the crowd, followed by two Eurofighters in escort.
On the balcony, the Queen looked serene, Charles and Camilla looked very happy and, it must be said, William looked quite uncomfortable. They waved at us. We waved back and cheered. They went in and it was all over. The soldiers then marched out of the palace gates to the delight of the crowds.
We wandered down the Mall avoiding the horse shit and lunched on a hot dog in St James’ Park before walking past Parliament and up Whitehall. We saw a couple of ministers come out of the Cabinet Office. I was impressed by the way they just joined the crowd and wandered up the street. No overt bodyguards or police protection. John Prescott even cruised past in a Jag looking rather casual.
We headed to Picadilly Circus and Oxford Street for shopping. I picked up a pair of gym traniers and a few T-shirts for the summer. Nipped into the the Apple Store which was amazing. All ergonomic design, silver hardware and cool geek atmosphere. Branding at its best. Niketown on Oxford Street was another total brand experience. The peak of aspirational marketing. They do the branding thing so well.
By chance, we saw the World Naked Bike Ride as it weaved its way down Oxford Street. The cyclists were totally starkers and we all roared with laughter and surprise as they casually rode past.
We paused in John Lewis for a latte and carrot cake before wandering back down Oxford Street through Soho to Chinatown. We finished off a fabulous day with a delicious chinese. The Peking duck with plum sauce and pancakes was perfect and the deep fried squid with chilli and garlic simply divine.
I recognised someone in the restaurant, but could not place who she was. She seemed so familiar. I knew her from somewhere. But couldn’t remember where. Was it work, travelling somewhere, socially ? I don’t know. Needless to say, I didn’t wander over and say ‘who the hell are you ?’ ;o) Still can’t remember who she was… will come back to me sometime I guess !
So yeah... 