The celebrations

We watched the Thames Pageant on Sunday. The Queen's barge was magnificent in gold & red. So, too, was Gloriana, the boat powered by man. The Queen herself looked radiant. The people thronged every vantage point, eager to see all that was happening. Nearby tables stood, all ready for a grand street party once the event was over.  I was moved as the Princess Elizabeth, the steam train, tooted it's salute from Battersea Bridge at the start of the proceedings. I loved the horse atop the National Theatre, from a distance remarkably lifelike as it reared in salute. All went well at first, then came the rain.

My heart went out as more & more ships & boats passed, many with sodden passengers. Musicians sang & played as the water poured down their faces. Nothing, but nothing was going to spoil the celebrations. I gather medical services were provided for all these people as they docked. Some were not far from suffering hypothermia, so cold they had become. Hot drinks & warm dry clothing were the order of the day.

I loved seeing the little boats that played such a vital role at Dunkirk at the start of the last World War. Then there were the working  boats., the colourful narrowboats from the canals. On they went. 

All went so well. It was, therefore, with a certain sadness I heard that Prince Philip had to go into hospital yesterday. It doesn't sound unduly serious  but anything can be serious for a man in his 90s. I am sure his absence must cast a shadow over the jubilee celebrations as far as the Queen is concerned. She must have missed him at both yesterday's concert & today's church service.

As far as I can tell celebrations more locally have gone well. People at the street party along the prom in Morecambe managed to eat in the dry, if not in the warmth. I gather from PD his local street party went well as did the party at the Pub yesterday.

Needless to say PD is keen for us to get to the Pub this afternoon. I'm not sure we will. We thought if it was wet we would venture out - the tourists will probably set off home early if that's the case so things will get quieter again. But if it's dry I'm not so sure. At the present it's just overcast. PD tried to point out it's not a Bank Holiday. His son is back at work today as are others he knows of. All I can say it is officially a Bank Holiday &, to us, that means crowds & neither of us like crowds.