Platinum Jubilee Royal Walk

Today, Crick Crack scheduled an interesting event - Japanese ghost stories, the event was called The Game of Candles, with each story represented by a lit candle, blown out when the story is completed. Was taking place at the British Museum, Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson performing. Sold out quickly - they were only doing half capacity.

Except - on Friday morning, the museum sent word that it was cancelled, and to contact them for a refund! Nuts, I was really looking forward to that (as was someone I'd told, from the London European Club). They are running it again, but not in London - although they are livestreaming it, but wouldn't you know it, it's the same night as another show! Rats.

So, instead, I booked another guided walk - this was the Platinum Jubilee Royal Walk, with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Wasn't expecting this one to be as sociable, but it promised to be fairly interesting - all about the Queen, on what is her actual Platinum Jubilee! So, taking place pretty near where we were yesterday. It was supposed to rain all night and in the morning, but that was supposed to have stopped by the time of the walk, which started a bit later than yesterday's. Tickets through Eventbrite.

Arrived in plenty of time again - the directions given to us were excellent, and needed to be, as Google Maps gets rather confused when you start talking about Diana fountains! (which is where we were to meet). There are plenty, you see - and this one isn't even related to the Diana that first springs to mind! No, this Diana is the mythological goddess of hunting. And the statue is just at the Green Park exit from Green Park Station - you can't miss it, it's at the top of the ramp.

I, of course, got a combination of buses there - using the station as my destination, for the purposes of Google Maps. Arrived early, and occupied myself in the meantime with a packet of crisps from the kiosk - had to trot up the path a bit for a bin, though. And when the guide arrived - yes, it was the guy I had for the Uncomfortable Statues walk: and he remembered me, too! which was nice.

After a bit of preamble, we set off across the park towards Buckingham Palace. Now, the rain did indeed hold off - but there was an absolutely punishing wind! Down at the palace, we had to stand around the opposite side from where he normally goes - the other side was full of camera crews, presumably doing pieces about the jubilee!

As usual, I caught him in a few inaccuracies - after all, this is kind of my specialist subject - but what the hey, he had plenty of interesting facts for us too. For instance, I never knew much about St. James' Palace - but it turns out that this became the court after (most of) Whitehall Palace burnt down, and is where the new monarch is officially proclaimed! and, of course, some royal relatives have apartments here:

Across the road is Marlborough House, where Queen Mary stayed after she was widowed:

All in all, I found it a fascinating walk, with some lovely personal reminiscences from him of his royal memories over the years - and there was great interest among the few others on the walk, and a lot of questions in particular from the German lady. Quite a scenic part of London too.. if only we hadn't had that awful wind!

And at least this time there was no pretence of going to the pub afterwards - because we didn't. We finished on Whitehall - passing a very interesting demonstration outside No. 10! (They were serving an eviction notice..) And we got to see the Cenotaph, and where the members of the Royal Family stand who are not actively participating in the ceremony. Cool, always wondered about that! But the coolest news of the day for me was hearing that the Queen yesterday publicly expressed her wish that, when Charles becomes King, his wife, Camilla, become Queen. Quite right, too.

We finished just up from the Horse Guards.. and the four-legged parts of that team were being showered with attention!

Well, my intention was to have a late lunch - so, off I went again to Prezzo. Where I had little trouble getting a table, service came - as usual - with a smile, and I was quickly served. My God, it was good to get in out of the wind! I did wonder why my face got so hot so quickly - until I noticed I was right across from the wood fire, which was blazing up nicely. Anyway, the sit down, in the warm, and a feed were exactly what I needed. Last time I was here, I had the chicken with mushroom, and found the chicken tough - so I avoided it this time, and had the carbonara, with chicken and topped with parmesan. Ab-so-lute-ly gorgeous! The sauvignon blanc was divine, and not having had a starter, I had plenty of room for dessert - I can now fully recommend the delectable chocolate fudge cake. I was fully rested by the time I headed home.

Tomorrow - another interesting talk by The Garden Talks. This one is What Conditions Create Witch Hunts? Have to say, Meetup seems to have awoken from the doldrums..!