Monday 11 June 2012

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

20 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC!
    The shot of the bulldog is priceless.
    Jane x

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  2. Hello Jane - the dogs name was Frank -and he looked so smart in his Jubilee coat - we asked if we could take a picture - his owner shouted to him "look at Mama Frank" and then the policeman walked by and held his helmet over the dogs head x

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  3. Really enjoyable tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  4. Sounds like you had a great time. I was on the steps at Lambeth bridge. Boy was I cold and wet by the time i got home but it was definitely worth it. I think your photos are really good considering the number of people lining the banks of the Thames. If you get a chance check out my feeble attempts.

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    1. Yes it was a great experience - and well worth the chilly wait - thanks for calling - Jane

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  5. Hi Jane check it out you are my lucky winner at Water World Wednesday for a $25.00. Hope you have paypal for me to send you the winning price. ^_^ And I am inviting you again to join my meme. ^_^


    Kim, USA

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    1. Wow - if I have won a prize - please donate it to a charity - thanks for calling Jane

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  6. Fantastic historic photos Jane.
    How fortunate you were to visit and see the celebration.
    Love the uniformed guards and the elderly gentlemen in their red coats.

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    1. The elderly gentlemen in their red coats are Chelsea Pensioners - they are retired army personnel- thanks for your comment - Jane

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  7. You always have a VARIETY of great shots. Love the capture of the Jubilee!

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  8. Lucky you to see the Jubilee in person! It's wonderful when an entire nation - and much of the world - celebrates together.

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  9. My dear Jane,
    For me, the flower was most beautiful (smile). Its nice to see the Jubilee. I wish I was there. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. MAGNIFICENT!! What a real treat!! Thanks so much for sharing this with the rest of us :D

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  11. Oh you were there..I watched the coverage here in the states, but to be there..fantastic...and you weren't kidding that there is a variety of photos..it looks like it was a wonderful vacation Jane. Thank you for linking up the celebration to Nature Notes...Michelle

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  12. Wow! What a wonderful trip you had. I felt as though I were there too when you described finding one space that you hoped to take pictures through, and then, your happiness when the tall man let you go in front. How nice of him! I love to see birds and water fowl, but the ones in London are very different from those we see here in Vancouver, BC., so I will be of no help in identifying the ones you asked about. The parakeets would have been exciting for me too! Beautiful boats and sights around London. Thanks for taking your readers along.

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  13. what a glorious post!!
    I love the boats and the people draped in the flag

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  14. Fantastic pictures, how exciting to see the Jubilee first hand, such a shame it was so wet.
    (not blogging now Jane still on purplecoo now and then)
    J x

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  15. Thanks for braving the cold and the rain to share these pics with us! And you stood at a great place to give more of an overview!! Wow, what a spectacle!

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