Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 May 2004 08:09:08
Well, she had a nice day for it!
Yes, yesterday was the day of the royal visit. Sadly Smudgelet had not got around to writing his letter to invite the Queen round for a bit of birthday cake so we had to go to see her instead. It was quite exciting, I must admit, to have the Queen not only on the Island, but in walking distance and at one of our favourite places. (Bet she doesn't know where the secret beach is, though!) Poor Tiddles was most put out that he had to go to school and miss all the excitement.
It was a shame neither of the boys were with me as I walked up to the school to join the classes walking along to see her, because I suddenly looked up and saw the royal helicopter flying quite low overhead. They'd have loved that. I arrived at the school just as Smudgelet's class set out, and guess who was at the back of the line! It was fun to take him by surprise - for one moment he thought it was the Queen tapping him on the head!
The biggest shock to me was the fact that the barriers were all taken up with adults when we got to the venue. The children lined up behind them, unable to see a thing, and the adults simply refused to let them through to the front. Would you believe it? As if these tiddly little children would have blocked their view. Fortunately the police took the children off and found them a special place to stand on the other side of the car park. The atmosphere was lovely - the sun shone, people chatted with friends because it was just people from the village there so people knew each other, the police wandered and chatted too, and there was a frisson of excitement in the air as we waited, wondering which way she'd come. And then she was here! ... hmmm, and then she was gone. I don't think they'd expected many people in the car park - the car just drove her straight down to the other end and she got out and walked down the path to her destination, with just a smile and a wave to the assembled crowd-let. Smudgelet was most indignant. He'd had to choose between looking at the car and looking at the Queen and hadn't had time to do both. Still, he'd seen the most important one. And a beautiful car it was, too.
It was rather nice to spot my friend M in the crowd.. especially as the church opposite was open for coffees.
I nipped home and had a quick lunch, then off I was out again. Smudgelet's school had let them leave early if parents wished to take them to the "capital" to see the Queen unveil a plaque there. Smudgelet was so excited about the visit (and so disappointed in the morning to have missed seeing her at all) that we decided to go. I'm so glad we did. It was an absolutely lovely atmosphere once again, this time with the streets packed to overflowing, and people in every window and even standing on the top level of the multi-storey car park. Having Smudgelet with me, I was allowed into the children's "enclosure" which meant a relatively good view, although there were heaving masses of squirming children in there so I still had to... ouch, my back and arms ache at the mere thought of it....... lift Smudgelet up onto my shoulders for him to be able to see anything. This time was lovely. We got a good look at the car! :) and a good look at Her Majesty too. And a good natter with two good friend from my old job whom I hadn't seen for ages and ages and ages. The Queen (and apparently Prince Philip was there too, but we didn't spot him) went walkabout in the town centre and visited the Farmer's Market as well as unveiling the plaque to celebrate the walking festival. And what we couldn't actually see live, we were able to watch on Solent TV news later. I hope she had a good day - she certainly seemed to be enjoying it.
And now we have another visitor, apparently. A massive spider in the bath!