Chris and Sophie visited this weekend and we joined in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in central London.
Chris brought along a flag to join in the spirit of things!
Some people went a lot further:
Everywhere was packed with onlookers.
We struggled to get a good vantage spot, but eventually Char spotted a place peeking out between the trees opposite Battersea Power Station which gave a better view than most.
First up was a floating belfry, ringing out the pageant...
Followed by the specially made Gloriana row boat, leading the man-powered vessels:
Row boats of all shapes and sizes, including dragon boats:
Olympic rowers, canoes and kayaks:
And even a Maori waka, manned by very determined but scantily dressed Maoris for the weather conditions!
And also beautiful Venetian gondolas:
Although we watched one gondola give up and get a tow, not tough enough for the very British weather conditions:
Then a boat of heralds and yeoman came by, signalling the arrival of the royal barge, the Spirit of Chartwell.
The royal barge did make a fantastic sight, passing in front of the iconic power station:
We've now have a very good run of Queen sightings in the last 12 months, especially with our Maundy Money post last year.
But where was the Queen? Aha - she's escaping inside for some reason, closely followed by Prince Philip:
Meanwhile Kate, William, Harry and Charles were busy on top deck waving:
We've now have a very good run of Queen sightings in the last 12 months, especially with our Maundy Money post last year.
What a memorable day it was. And we even managed to get back into a tube station before the rain started to bucket down! But very impressed by the Queen's stamina for sticking it out despite the unpleasant conditions...
