The longest post?

[Stingo]

We had a restless night on Monday. I rose at 0530hrs – half an hour before the alarm clock was due to go. After a shower and shave, I took a cup of coffee upstairs and woke Mrs. Stingo. Getting dressed I opened the curtains and then went to awake the kids. Proceeding back downstairs, I then prepared the breakfasts and checked that I had packed everything and that the kids school bags were ready. The rest of the gang came downstairs and upon conclusion of events the car was loaded up and we made our way to a friend’s house for 0700hrs. We bade our farewells – our friend wished myself and my wife well. Mrs Stingo and I smiled at each other as we made our way to the train station – we were actually going somewhere without the kids – for the first time!

At the station car park, the ticket machine proceeded to extort an obscene amount of money from me for the privilege of parking my W reg Astra 1600 in a space barely large enough to open the doors sufficiently to actually extricate oneself from the said vehicle without writing off the vehicle in the next space - if one had been there.

With our bags, we made our way to platform seven for the 0747hrs train to London. Fortunately they were no delays and we were on our way bang on time with an ETA of 1125hrs.

Time passed – as did the miles.

“The train is now arriving at Paddington Station, please remember to take all your luggage with you…” drifted over the tannoy as everybody aboard the train arose from their seats as one and queued…next to their seats. Once on the platform we made our way to the Praed Street exit. We had already decided that we would walk to our hotel (The Victory Services Club on Seymour Street) as we had plenty of time. There were several food outlets en route all of which had the promise of fine cuisine concealed behind their grimy windows & doors. We were hungry but opted for the tried and tested ever-faithful KFC – that secret blend of eleven herbs & spices prepared freshly on the premises for you each day!! How could we possibly refuse such an inviting introduction? We entered the strangely familiar fried chicken outlet, placed our order and took a seat. The princely sum of £3.98 had exchanged hands – in return we each received a delightful cardboard box containing one piece of chicken and a good sized portion of chips. Also included with the deal were some small sachets of salt, two serviettes and four moist cleaning tissues.

Feeling a little less hungry, we left the plastic and formica surroundings and continued on our way soon reaching the Edgware road. Turning right we continued and made note of the many Lebanese retailers and restaurants. As the intersection of the Bayswater/Edgware road & Oxford Street hoved into view, we turned right again for the final 25 yards of our walk and entered the premises of the VSC whereupon I was asked for my membership card which I duly displayed. Our room booking was confirmed and after a short explanation of the layout we made our way to room 301. Using the electronic key card we entered the well positioned room which in my opinion, whilst not generously proportioned was never the less perfectly acceptable. The facility included a separate WC and shower room, digital TV and tea & coffee making facilities ( in addition to an ironing board and glorious steam iron).

Our room now fully explored we unpacked our bags and in slow time, removed our travelling attire and cleaned into our more formal wear as befitted the occasion of our visit to the nation's capital. The time now being shortly before 1400hrs, we made our way back down to the foyer and asked the bellhop/concierge for a taxi. Within seconds a ‘fast black’ was outside waiting. Climbing in, we took our seats in the back. I leaned forward and said to the driver “To Buckingham Palace please, front gate”. I grinned, lots, as I’d never said that particular destination before. The driver was quite talkative and commented on my uniform. In due course we alighted from our taxi at the top of Constitution Hill where we could see a large queue of people waiting to enter the palace. Joining the queue we struck up a conversation with a Welsh gentleman and his wife who were behind us until a policeman came along requesting all those in uniform to make their way directly to the gate thus bypassing the many anxious and curious people. Our identification papers were scrutinised at the gate as we passed through…we were now actually in the palace grounds! We looked around and soaked up the atmosphere and ancientness of the place and noted the many people looking through the iron railings trying to get a glimpse of what was happening. With many others we made our way through an archway into a quadrangle and headed towards the main entrance of the palace which is slightly concealed behind a glass screen – above is a glass portico bearing the emblem of King Edward VII. Passing through the main doorway walking on a luxurious red carpet we caught a glimpse of the large portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert hanging either side of the next door – there were some other portraits of their various German royal cousins in the same area. As we moved through this second doorway we could now see the garden and so continued forwards whilst moving to the back (think about it) of the palace…we soon found ourselves on the rear veranda overlooking the entire gardens of Buckingham Palace. Mrs. Stingo and myself took a few minutes to consider where we were and how fortunate we had been. Over to the left were two large marquees adjoined to each other which contained refreshments and snacks. Outside were many tables and chairs. To the right were located the Royal tea tent and that of the Diplomats. Directly ahead were the garden and the lake…now being explored by some of the many visitors.

The weather fortunately being gloriously sunny, we made our way down the steps and acquired some tea and sandwiches and took a seat in order that we could observe the people as they descended into the garden. After a while and feeling refreshed, we opted to explore our glorious surroundings and so giving up our seats we left the tea area and walked towards the lake. At every yard and every turn there was something new to see. The grass on which we walked was soft and cushioning but not wet. Through the distant drone of traffic noise we were able to hear the wildlife in the gardens. In the distance, I could see the Waterloo Vase which had originally been made for Napoleon, situated folly-like in a quiet corner. The plants, shrubs and trees were all well tended and labelled. Holding hands, Mrs. Stingo and I walked around the lake and took note of the various areas and secret hideaways where doubtless the Royal children of today and generations past have played hide & seek on similarly sunny days - you could almost hear the laughter of children. As we rounded a corner we could hear the band of the Army Air Corps strike up another tune complimenting the ambience and atmosphere of the occasion. We continued to circulate heading back towards the rear of the palace.

At precisely 1600hrs, The Queen and Prince Philip arrived on the veranda, and all present were as motionless as they were silent as the band of the Coldstream Guards played the National anthem (also in the party was the Duke of Wessex, Prince & Princess Michael of Kent and one of the Ogilvy family). When the final note faded, the audience all clapped as Her Majesty and the Duke made their way down the steps. The crowd were controlled by members of the Yeoman of the Guard and the Gentlemen at Arms. Two main routes were cut through and the Royal party made their way towards their tea tent – this journey took them about an hour as they were introduced to various members of the public for a short audience, picked out from the crowd by the Gentlemen at Arms. One fortunate person that was picked had flown in from Toronto specifically for the occasion and was due to fly back later that evening.

As the Royal party now wove its way towards their tent, my wife and I having caught a few glimpses of HM and the Duke, we returned to the tea area and found some relief from the suns rays within a small leafy copse. At about 1715hrs waiters were seen to circulate bearing small tubs of ice cream – I quickly claimed two for myself and my wife. Whilst she prefers raspberry flavour, sadly on this occasion the only one available was strawberries and cream. We spent the last remaining twenty minutes sat adjacent to one of the tea tents. At 1800hrs precisely, the National Anthem was once again played and upon its conclusion, the royal party were seen to be re-entering the palace. Mrs. Stingo and I for the last time left out seats and took stock of our surroundings. Rain clouds were now forming up and the people were drifting off to the three main exits. We decided to leave via the Hyde Park gate which is the closest one to get to Marble Arch. Rather than get a taxi we took a walk along Lovers Lane which runs parallel to Park lane but within Hyde Park. As we approached Marble Arch, a light shower began. We increased our speed and fortunately managed to get into the VSC before getting too wet. It had been a wonderful day.

As we collapsed on the bed, we still had not decided on what to do during the course of the evening. We were too tired for a show and not really hungry enough to appreciate a restaurant so we quickly dressed again in more comfortable clothes and made our way to Sainsbury’s at Marble Arch where we purchased a couple of bottles of red wine. We then ventured into the Lebanese take away on the corner of Seymour and Edgware and obtained a Lebanese style kebab (I know how to treat the ladies!) which I have to say was absolutely delicious. Returning to our room we enjoyed our food and drink whilst keeping up to date with Holby City. At about 2100hrs I was detailed off to obtain some strawberries & cream from the club restaurant which, naturally wishing to ‘oblige’, I did. And they were delicious.

Contented, in many ways, we slept – log like.

[anna]

Aww what a fantastic day!!!

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by anna

Aww what a fantastic day!!!

Anna - if you ever get the chance, grab it with both hands. It was really brilliant.

Awwww that`s a lovely read, glad you had such a lovely day. I need to get to London one weekend, I haven`t been since going on a school trip aged about 10?