Look at me, all dressed up with somewhere to go. That somewhere was a Buckingham Palace garden party with the Queen.
Doesn't it look sunny, and it was...... then!
Oh boy, was that to change later. Anyway more on that to come. James got an invite as a council member of the Royal Astronomical Society for himself and 1 guest to go to the Bucking Palace garden party. He chose me as his plus one (woe betide him if he hadn't). So yesterday we went down to that London on the train in our Sunday Bests. Things did try and conspire against us to not get us there (no station parking, train delays and missed connections). But we got there. The sun even came out as we were walking trough the park approaching the palace.
It started to drizzle slightly while we were inside the gates standing in a que alongside the changing of the guards - lots of stamping. We walked in through 2 regal ground rooms of buck palace (they would regret that later - but more on that to come).
We then went out onto the lawn and it opened up into a park with lake and marquees for tea and bands playing music. We meandered around the gardens (each under our own umbrella, what a stroke of luck that would turn out to be) and finally made our way for a cup of tea and ooooh.... cucumber and mint sandwiches, smoked salmon and cream cheese bilinis, bit sized scones jam and cream (I had several they were yum), victoria sponge, ginger cakes (to name but a few).
After 2 cups of tea we noticed a thronged line forming between the palace and the Royal tea tent. We decided to hold back. Then Queeny came onto the raised steps and stood to the National Anthem (clear umbrella and turquoise outfit). The drizzle cleared up so she went from person to person along the line (pre-ordained people placed at regular intervals I expect). I was about 5 people back in the throng and SHORT. I caught a glimpse of her hat and James at one point did a quick lift of me so I could catch a glimpse (how common!). We moved along to another spot along the line and I got a good look at her 4 people back; blue outfit, gloves, pearls - I saw her! so then we went back to more meandering and sitting on deck chairs as my shoes were hurting and more cake and iced coffee.
However, this short summer spell was not to last. We then went through rain, heavy rain, torrential rain (this just can't get any heavier we thought -we were wrong), thunder, lightning, torrential torrential rain, hail (Owwwww), bigger hail, almighty hail. All of this while huddled with all the other guests under the nearest available tree and umberellas. It was quite hilarious. We stuck it out for a good while. moving when I was about to get swept away in a torrent forming alongside me. The only marquee was the tea tent which was not enough room for everyone and across the other side of the garden. James and I were drenched through and I cannot ever remember a time I have been wetter when not in a swimming costume or in the bath. We decided it was not to let up so dashed through the hail back into the palace with hundreds of others. I found a spot in one of the 2 regal rooms to pause and slip off one of my shoes - James however forbid me from tipping out the pool of water at the bottom of them onto the Queens royal red carpets.
So, wet and cold we called it a day and made our way out to go to the tube and our train home (thorough more floods in the park which I waded through up to my ankles).
That was about 5:30 and I think i finally stopped dripping from my dress around 8pm -various toilet hand driers on-route were inadequate against this rain soaked baby!
It was such great fun!!!! cold, wet but hilarious! One wont forget that in a while.
It even made the papers here. And a quick search of the fantastic thing that is the internet has come up with a photo where James and I (although mainly James and my hat) can be made out on the same photo as the queen!
