A Jubilee weekend to remember

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend was a resounding success and even enjoyed by those who began the four days with an air of cynicism.

Despite the typical British weather, or rather worse than typical summer weather, on Friday we visited the Avenue of Sail at Tower Bridge and popped over to Buckingham Palace just at the right time to see the Robbie Williams band rehearsing for the concert.

The Queen had a great day out at the Epsom Races on Saturday and we just happened to drive past her as she made her way home to Windsor down the A3!

Sunday was the river pageant, it was wet,  very wet!  My decision to carry on as planned was questioned several times, but I think The Chief soon realised my mind was not for changing and he joined me with vest, thick jumper, sturdy waterproof and comfortable shoes as we packed into the London bound trains.  It was certainly a different atmosphere to the usual commuter trains!

The big screens positioned all over the capital were a great idea and looking out across the river near the Houses of Parliament with a screen behind us, we were treated to a perfect view of all the proceedings.  These crowds are always so friendly and we were soon sharing sausage rolls and wine, this helped to pass the time during our two hour wait!

After such a tremendous spectacle on the Thames we decided to leave once the rain became torrential, along with thousands of others!  The journey home was not the best end to the day, a normal 20 minute journey took over three hours.  We walked, discovered we were lost in Stockwell, got on a bus to Clapham, tried to pack into the obscenely overcrowded South West Trains and gave up, tried to catch a bus to nearer home and had to give up with the sheer numbers trying to board.  Another attempt to get a train proved extremely lucky when a last minute platform alteration positioned a train in front of us with enough space to squeeze into and we were nearly home.  It had crossed my mind that the evening might have to be spent on a station bench in our damp clothes, with only a weather beaten union jack flag for protection!

No time to rest, a party to organise for Monday, friends and family to entertain and the weather was looking kind, but cool.  It was great to see old friends and then all sit around and enjoy the Jubilee concert on the TV.

Tuesday was the day for the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral and the carriage procession and flypast.  Major Darling had won tickets for seats in the stands outside the Palace and they were away at 8am to be part of the celebrations.  As we cleared up after the party, we took time out to watch our dear old Queen as she took on another action packed day of engagements.  Sadlly without her husband at her side after he had been taken to hospital with a bladder infection, although I'm very pleased to say that Prince Philip has now been allowed home to recuperate.

The cheering and flag waving public exuded happiness as the Sovereign's Escort led the Royal party through the streets whilst the sound of a 60 gun salute from the King's Troop on Horseguards Parade boomed down the streets like thunder.  There were so many horses to accommodate that the Wellington Barracks had to turn an underground car park into temporary stables for the day!

Photo: Reuters

Once the Royal party were at the Palace the police led the public down to the gates and the roar went up as the family appeared on the balcony, looking slightly overawed by the enthusiasm and goodwill from the crowd.

Photo: PA

There had been a worry that the planned flypast would have to be cancelled due to the bad weather conditions, but at the last minute it was confirmed it would go ahead.  Breathtaking views of Spitfires and Hurricanes, a Dakota and Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight led the way for the Royal Air Force Red Arrows to stream their trail of red, white and blue smoke.

Photo: AP

It has been a wonderful opportunity for the public to let the Queen know how much affection they hold for her and also to feel united in happiness, despite the very difficult economic times we are suffering.

Our highly talented resident artist managed to find a few moments to start a sketched memory of the day.

My diary says it is June

When I woke this morning I thought I was back on one of those wonderful family holidays in Cornwall.  The rain was crashing against the windows, trees were bent low in the fierce wind and leaves and branches were scattered around the garden and roads.

Fond memories of walks along Carne beach in our pac-a-macs, rain dripping from our eyelashes, eating ice-creams at lightening speed to stop them from being blown away by the wind, but oh the utter joy and happiness when the sun did come out.  It was delightful, and there was nothing better than enjoying an indulgent cream tea with lashings of clotted cream, next to the swimming pool at the Nare Hotel.


I did three separate 'taxi' runs to the station before 8am, just to make sure my family started their journey with dry feet and a decent hairstyle.  Do you think they appreciate?  Do they notice when the empty honey jar is replaced, the almost finished soap is suddenly renewed, and my psychic powers tell me that the stock of toilet rolls in the family bathroom is low?  I do draw the line at providing a complete laundry service and putting away their clean washing, I just return a neat pile ready for them to iron and put away.


Of course they appreciate, it's just been a busy morning and it didn't help that I decided my fringe was too long and I took the dressmaking scissors to it!  Not a good idea to start the day!

We are ready to party!

The Diamond Jubilee weekend has arrived and the next few days are all set to be a joyful holiday, packed with pomp and ceremony, celebrations and smiles.

The streets have been cleaned, the horses groomed and the boats are shining, my cupcakes have been baked, patriotic clothes have been bought and we are ready to CELEBRATE!

A busy week

What a busy time the last 7 days have been. 

The activities of the household were wide and varied from travel to Rome, a housing sale agreed, a new job accepted by Major Darling, an introduction to the world of the international art market, long days with business in a hot and sticky London, surprise family visits and plans to be made for the Diamond Jubilee weekend. 

I need to make sure this week continues on a calmer note and stay in control of all the opportunities which present themselves to us this week, and find the odd moment to enjoy this wonderful summer sunshine.

 The bedroom looks like the wardrobes (note this is plural, meaning more than one, several more than one!) have suffered a volcanic eruption, with the sudden need for summer clothes and the need to find matching shoes to replace the winter boots!

The Spirit of Summer

The Spirit of Summer Fair at Olympia has become a regular date in the diary and is a good place to source some lovely unusual gifts, sample some tasty foods from small business and catch up with the latest interior design trends. Although, I think the name was rather misplaced this year as I stood on a freezing cold platform at Clapham Junction!  Summer clothes are still packed away.

Unfortunately, this year I felt it was a bit predictable and I didn't feel as though I was being treated to an exciting chance to experience the latest trends.  However, I did enjoy the talk by Joa Studholme from Farrow & Ball who gave a very interesting presentation on the current trends in the use of colours both inside and outside the home.

I think perhaps the show needs a bit of a makeover and be given a new format with some new faces, otherwise it just feels like I am reliving the same scene, different year.

I'm a Great Aunt!

How exciting, a new generation is born!  I'm sure my sister can't wait to get her hands on the adorable little chap and have a cuddle.  When I get my turn to hold the new arrival, will I remember how to cradle a baby?  I am looking forward to that lovely scent of new baby, it tops the charts along with newly cut grass and the smell of fresh tar!

It certainly is a thought provoking occasion, seems like no time since I held my adorable little nephew in my arms and now he is a proud Daddy.

Is this my chance to start behaving like an eccentric old Great Aunt with a big floppy hat covered in flowers and bright red lipstick?  On second thoughts, I'll stick with just the lipstick, I don't think suburbia is ready for the batty old lady yet and neither am I.

Sharing Clothes

The Duchess of Cambridge was recently featured at an engagement wearing a dress which her mother wore to Ascot last year.  This started the whole debate about whether your children would be seen dead in your clothes and more to the point would you allow then to borrow them?

I was a bit precious about wardrobe raids when my little Darlings were a bit younger and not so likely to take care of expensive or treasured items.  However now it is a regular event and I don't mind as long as everything is treated with care and respect, they ask before it is taken and it is returned in good condition.  I take it as a complement that I am keeping up to date with the latest trends. Paisley is currently 'on trend' and this little number has been very much in demand since I finished it.

I see it as getting a lot more mileage out of outfits, justifying buying to excess! We are also very lucky that all  3 of us take the same size of shoe, so when I saw those Calvin Klein classics in the sale, there was no sense in holding back!

My hoarding instincts have paid back well with the clothes I packed away at end of the 70s. The vintage items, including some wonderful Biba creations, are now being proudly worn and much admired by Major Darling's friends in the fashion world.  It is even more of a buzz for me to see an outfit which I designed and made myself, being regularly worn by one of my little Darlings.

I'm not so keen when it comes to sharing tights which  have a habit of being spirited out of my room, never to be seen again.  I've tried insisting that everyone sews a piece of coloured ribbon in the top when they buy a new pair, but that idea didn't have much mileage.  I just have to keep finding new places to hide a stock for myself, although I have noticed they are not so keen on the support tights I have recently bought. Maybe that is the answer!