V is for Variety

ABC Wednesday and V is for Variety and for a Vacation seeking Vantage viewing points in a vast and vibrant city - this sums up our 4 day break in London to view the Jubilee celebrations . I am posting my favourite pics . We set out for London on Saturday June 2nd and made good time on the Virgin train - after various hiccoughs we arrived at our hotel in Hampstead - checked in - took a brief break and then away to the city to see the preparations underway for the big event.- boats were moored along side the Thames - see my pics below - the atmosphere was electric and the streets alongside the river were awash with onlookers - partygoers and visitors to the city What an amazing bridge and my favourite - Tower Bridge The financial centre - here money s made - and of course money is lost!! The day of the River Pageant we caught the tube quite early and made our way to the river banks and even then the crowds had gathered - eager to pick their ideal spot and then the rain!! About an hour before the pageant was due to pass through, we began to search for that impossible spot,anyway we decided that Blackfriars Bridge looked to be the most suitable (Jack the Ripper territory)- queueing was necessary and handsome young policemen were frisking people and peering into bags - I had a suspect brown paper package that neede to be explained actually a Jubilee salt and pepper pot a present to self !! Once on the bridge the best we could do was stand to the rear of the crowd - I could just see the river and thought if no one moves I can fix my camera on that gap. We could hear the pageant approaching and the bells of the leading barge and then the tall man at the front said to me "come on - squeeze through I can see over your head and you can take your pictures "and so I did!- it was amazing and I tried my beat - my hands were so cold that I thought I would drop my camera into the river- some of my shots of this memorable occasion are below and in the side panel Our hotel was in Hampstead - close to Regents Park - so off we went the next day to explore the area - walking up Primrose Hill to gaze down on the city- then onto Regents Park - admiring the rose beds and watching the waterfowl - one of the highlights for me was to see the bright green parakeets - about three pairs - they were difficukt to see once they were amongst the trees - but I did get a really good look at them through the bins - but they were very elusive - so no pictures sadly - I know that they are considered pests in London but this was a first for me - from Regents Park we strolled down the canal side until we reached Campden Town - and then caught the tube back into the city Tufted Duck I think! A pochard We made our way to the Mall to join in the excitement of the forthcoming concert - we walked in the park here are some of my memories - including the birds and animals looking on - and carrying on as usual Pelicans Does anyone know the name of this goose- please? Finally I must post these last few pics of a fantastic London Break and of course a London Break is not complete without a trip to the theatre - we saw Jersey Boys in Leicester Square- brilliant show linking to ABC Wednesday - Our World Tuesday and Nature Notes - have a great week