The Royal Jubilee River Pageant on Sunday was a splendid spectacle which even the heaviest of rain couldn't wash out and although I was grateful for the comfort of my armchair and the television on such a soggy day, there was a tiny part of me envying those brave, flag waving souls, clad in multi-coloured cagoules on the banks of the River Thames!
Jubilee Picnicking, Wormshill style!
We were extremely grateful the rain held off for our Diamond Jubilee celebration with my sister and her family on Bank Holiday Monday. The weather may have been a little more British than we would have preferred, but we certainly weren't going to allow it to spoil our plans!
Struggling to push Simon's heavily laden Jubilee wheelbarrow picnic
Simon's wheelbarrow became a rather magnificent 'Jubilee Picnic Barrow' and we set off along the road laden with grub, booze and Union Jack flags, towards Wormshill Village Hall.
Wormshill Village Hall Jubilee Celebrations
Once there, we spread picnic blankets and settled down to enjoy our al fresco evening ...
Hannah's Jubilee cupcakes!
Hannah made some fabulous Jubilee cupcakes which went down very well with a few beers ...
Bottoms up!
... and the odd glass of wine or two ... or three ... or ...?!
Tucking in!
We played Petanque ...
Made a rowdy attempt at singing along with the villagers ...
Sing-a-long Stuart!
And generally had family fun in the fresh air!
When the sun finally set on our picnic, Simon wheeled his barrow to a field across the road, joining the Wormshill villagers around a huge bonfire to watch fireworks and Chinese lanterns light up the night sky - I'm afraid you'll have to imagine those though, as the battery on my camera ran out!
After the outdoor fun, not to mention the late night (!) I was pretty tired by day four of our national celebrations, so yesterday spent the afternoon parked comfortably in front of the box with my daughter, watching the likes of Robbie Williams, the magnificent Sir Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, my personal favourites Jools Holland and Ruby Turner, Alfie Boe, Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Shirley Bassey, Elton John, Kylie Minogue and Madness (who performed a right royal rolickingly fun set on the roof of the Palace!) among others. It was a breathtaking Jubilee concert performed to the flag waving thousands stood outside Buckingham Palace and along The Mall ... and one which Fay and I absolutely loved watching on tv in the comfort and warmth of our living room.
All in all, I'd say we have enjoyed a right royal Diamond of a Jubilee weekend ...
Thank you Your Majesty!
Although I live on the other side of the world, I watched it all on the box, and loved it. Congrats to the English, you know how to put on a great weekend.
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