Cucumber sandwiches at the Queen's Garden Party

The best day of my life to date. It started by practising how to curtsy while waiting for the train. We arrived at the Comfort Inn for a very quick change into our ‘afternoon dress’, and then we walked to Buckingham palace with lots of others dressed like we were going to a posh wedding. You could tell who was going to the Queen’s Garden Party. We queued in front of the palace and then it was our turn to walk through the black gates at the front of the palace…which felt good. We took loves of pictures in front of the palace, then walked through the quadrangle and through the door where Kate and Will walked into the palace after their wedding. The rooms were very plush, with old furniture and portraits on the walls. Then we were out to the garden, which was stunning.

From the terrace, we walked the perimeter of the garden where you can’t really hear the traffic unless you are on the edges. We passed the summer house, the fragrant rose garden and the lake. The national anthem played to announce the arrival of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. We were formed in queues by the ushers in their top hat and tails. Luckily we were right in the front. Some guests were called forwards to meet the queen. The family by us were asked, the man worked for the home office and the woman was a food taster so I listened as the queen spoke about preservatives. She was about 2m in front of me and I just wanted to hug her! She looks like a grandma in her lilac outfit with black shoes and handbag. As the Queen walked on, we then joined the line to see the Duke of Edinburgh and then it was itme for afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea consisted of amazing apple juice, cucumber and mint sandwiches, egg mayo sandwiches and ginger cake. The crusts were taken off the sandwiches. We sat on the side of the lake and had our afternoon tea. After tea we stood on the balcony as the royals left. We were told by an usher that never before have so many royals attended a garden party. the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Coenwall, Countess of Wessex; the Princess Royal; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent; Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy. As the Duchess of Cambridge was alone and it was her first garden party, she was escorted by her father in law, Prince Charles.
 

We stood by the cars as the royals left in their cars to a round of applause. We then sat under a row of trees while guests left the garden party. The national anthem marked the end of the garden party. We stood on the terrace, looking at the main tea tent, royal and diplomatic tea tents. We event saw the royal transit van with ERII on the license plate and crown on the front.

I was invited for services to diversity, especially the Women’s Network and can honestly say we had the time of our lives, something to remember for the rest of our lives.

First windband wedding, then Ashton Court with the boys, Bristol

Many congratulations to Sam and Caroline on their wedding, the first windband wedding and first time in ages where the whole of windband was in the same place. Then a very early start, and a spontaneous trip to Ashton Court, picking up Jen and Billy on route. It was baking, even at 9am in the morning but we walked through to the woods. Trouble is, the car parking is now so limited and with little shelter, it's a cool weather venue.

Snowballed walk to Leigh Woods, Bristol

I know I like to be busy, but this weekend was pushing it for my standards. Sailor is getting used to being away, so relished staying at mum and dad's. With mother of the bride outfit challenge first accomplished, it was then onto our doggy date. It started with just Sailor and Billy, but snowballed and Tia and the girls (and owners) all joined the walk to Leigh Woods in Bristol. Free car park, and a shady walk for the children and doggies, we had a pleasant walk following the purple route. It's a Forestry Commission venue so no poo bins, but a throughly enjoyable walk, much more shaded than Ashton Court down the road.

Brighton Equality Walk 2012

After another amazing brekkie at the Silverdale, it was time to checkout. It's amazing how much a few days at the seaside actually feels like over a week's holiday! We got the bus into Brighton and yet again Sailor got a huge amount of attention. We walked to the Pavillion for the Stonewall picnic before the Brighton Equality Walk. Sailor got his own bandana saying 'woof for equality' and we donned out t-shirts over our multiple layers and waterproof coats as it was freezing. Sailor was photographed so much in the 2 hours in the park.

And then we were off. The Environment Agency team walked together the whole way, passing some great Brighton touristy sites like the Banksy policeman kiss, the kissing statue, the peace monument, the pavillion again. 10km is surprisingly long, we had definitly warmed up. The look of 500 walks wearing blue t-shirts was spectacular and made me feel proud to be walking raising money to tackle homophobia in schools.

At the end of the walk we recieved our medal and then it was back on the bus to get home. A fantastic day, fantastic atmosphere...can't wait for next year!

A day of Sailor firsts!

Our first time in a dog friendly hotel and what a treat! The silverdale welcomed us with a dog welcome pack, a pet towel, fork, ball, poo bags, dog wet wipes, blanket and a tag to add to his collar saying where he is staying! They really did think of everything. Then at breakfast, where the boy joined us, we had every type of breakfast item available for each type of dietary requirement! I was like a kid in a sweetshop after quite a restless night. The first time Sailor has been on holiday with us, so he wined through the night...it's worse than having a child!

We were recommended to walk along the seafront, up Seaford Head which we did, but we felt adventourous and kept on hiking along to see the Seven Sisters which are stunning. We then talked along Cuckmeare meanders and to the pub for Sailors first pub visit. However, he isn't quite up to date with etiquette yet as he just laid down in the middle of the pub while the waitors stepped over him! After such a long walk, he didn't seem fussed though.

We must be a glutten for publishment as we continued onto Friston Forest to continue our walk, however, it was rather soggy but the view of the meanders was worth it. After all this exercise, I'm afriad we didn't fancy the walk back so Sailor had another first, his first ride on a bus. He was like the bus pin up, laid in the central aisle again (there is a theme) but everyone wanted to stroke him.

After a nap, for us and the boy after such a long walk, we walked into town and didn't see another person. I like going to the seaside out of season. So it was definitly a day of Sailor firsts!