I’m starting to think we are being stalked by Queen Elizabeth II. That’s right, she is stalking us commoners.
Last May, we were in Ireland and she made an unprecedented visit. Unprecedented as in she never visited Ireland before. And it just so happened to overlap with our trip. It didn’t hinder our sightseeing too much. Some things were closed and we had to take a few detours but, otherwise, no big deal. We even got a glimpse of her going by in her car. Pretty cool.
Giving her best royal wave
Last week we were researching where to go and what to do in London and noticed some things were closed due to the “Queen’s Diamond Jubilee”. Hmmm. Again, we thought no big deal.
Let me put it this way – the Olympics are about to take place in London in a little over 6 weeks and there is no indication of any preparation. The only thing we saw (sadly) was a small, digital countdown to the Olympics near our hotel in Trafalgar Square. That’s it. They are too busy celebrating the Diamond Jubilee. It was a HUGE deal.
They love their Queen, that’s for sure. And while it was cool to take part in the festivities, London was crowded and bridges/sights were closed. Not cool. We spent a mere weekend in London and again it overlapped with a “Queen” event.
We did get to do our run along the Thames though. We had to be a bit creative since bridges were closed and people were camping out along the Thames to watch the flotilla (in honor of…you guessed it, the Queen).
He came out of retirement…
We hit a bunch of pubs at night and came across one called Endurance. Obviously, we had to go in for a beer. It was an odd mix of taxidermy, disco balls, and bad music (Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It”). We stayed for 1 beer.
We did like London and we did have a great time…I just wished we came last weekend (apparently the weather was gorgeous too). It was nice to watch The Royal Family (and by family I mean Will, Kate, and Harry). We only see pictures of them in the US and it was fun to see them interact with the crowd and one another. They are human, imagine that!
Fireworks after the Queen’s concert at Buckingham Palace…
Aww, I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOVE London!! Total British history geek here! What a shame the museums and sights were closed (my husband literally had to drag be out of the British portrait museum).
But what a treat to be there during such a huge week. I would have been drooling like the fool I am if I were there. Probably have bought some commemorative plates or other chotchkies!
No doubt it will be full speed ahead for the Olympics starting next week.
Looks like great running weather!
dang, I wanna be the queen….how nice to have hoopla bigger than the olympics about you…
I love that fireworks picture! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
I don’t know what you are talking about. That bar sounds awesome to me.
besides the weather, you picked a great time to go to London! What a fun week! And it’s too funny that you didn’t see much preparation for the olympics… imagine how different that would be if they were in the U.S. Have a great rest of the trip!!
You really got to be part of history on your visit. I got to shake Prince Charles’ hand once, but I’ve never been lucky enough to see the Queen.
As for the cloudy skies, looks like great running weather to me.
Jealous that you got to experience the festivities. I’m dying to see Prince Harry up close. Such a cutie!
Hi Mommy and Daddy,
While you are having tea with the Queen in London, I am sleeping on the couch or Sarah’s bed in Blue Bell back in the states. Monday was the only day cousin Casey and I were alone. I think it is my barking that people love and makes them want to stay home with me.
BTW, I like runs on the Thames too.
I can’t wait till you get back, funny, Uncle Bill says the same thing. Have fun
in Paris.
HAWK