And the pageantry continues...

Well it appears that I have had an unexpected little hiatus from my blog - due to a combination of factors really...firstly by making myself a list of projects that I haven't even felt inspired to start, and secondly, the lingering effects of a summer cold has made the lure of relaxing on the sofa being far preferable to being productive!


But, yesterday I took the opportunity to make the most of a brief window of sunshine and enjoy some more of the pageantry that Britain does so well. For only two weeks after the pomp and circumstance of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, yesterday was the Trooping of the Colour which marks the Queen's offical birthday celebrations.


We didn't have seats in Horse guards for the actual display (another of those ballot ticketing processes so beloved for any major public event here in London), but we were able to find a space on the mall to watch the procession from the palace down to Horse Guards. We were treated to....

Marching bands

Lovely Clydesdale drum horses

Cavalry

...and of course, the Royal Family...in this carriage is the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry...

...and finally, The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh (you can just catch a glimpse of her in the coach wearing a lovely bright primrose yellow coat and hat).

After the procession had passed we walked back down through St James's Park on our way to visit the Churchill War Rooms, passing on our way...

 The view back towards Buckingham Palace

and a very bold flock of geese...

There is no doubt that London does pageantry very well indeed...and it was nicer to be a little closer to the action than during the jubilee celebrations. And sometimes, it is just nice to be a tourist in the place where one lives...