London Pride - the first time Girl Guiding marched

I love pride. I love the atmosphere, I love the history, I love the meaning and I love the crowds. This year I decided to march with Girl Guiding UK. Emma, travelling Brownie and I boarded the train to London and had a quick stop to take pictures at Guiding HQ. We met everyone inside the newly opened Guiding HQ, donned our very bright pink t-shirts, picked up banners and packed our bags full of gifts for the crowds.

We all caught a bus to the start line. It was rather surreal and I did feel for the rest of the people on the bus. They were inundated with over 50 guiders wearing bright pink and carrying placards. The downside of pride is incredibly long waits until we start off. Before we set off, we walked up the parade route to see the other walkers.

Then we were off for a fabulous march through central London, blowing whistles, people shouting ''girls can be proud' (the slogan on our t-shirts). Then the goosebump moment, half way through the route, the red arrows flew overhead with their red, white and blue smoke! It was an amazing thing to see. Then who should be behind us, Sue Pollard from Hi-de-hi! Emma was a red coat and joined Butlins because of hi-de-hi so I asked her for a selfie.

We completed the march, said our goodbyes and then watched the end of the parade and screamed loudly when I saw the Civil Service.

I still love pride but to be in the first group from Girl Guiding was extra special

A day watching the polo

Ever since the Olympics in London, we have watched a new sport every year. We have watched cricket, football, tennis and this year...polo. Unfortunately there was a slight mix up with the tickets and Ali thought that she had lost the tickets so bought more, but in fact they hadn't arrived. So we had double tickets and a ticket for 2 cars. We arrived and it was just how I thought it would be...incredibly posh. Nobody checking tickets so we could just come and go as we pleased. Everyone was rather well dressed.

We watched a first match, not having a clue what was going on. I was googling the rules at the same time. I just don't understand how the riders don't fall, and how the horses can change direction so quickly. The Royal Windsor Guards is a prestigious club, attended by the Queen. So it turned out that we saw the queen three days in a row. I'm sure she doesn't mind and I hope she remembers us by now.

At half time we went back to the car for our picnic basket. I was so excited about the picnic. We used our Patrons lunch baskets and our new picnic basket for our lunch of cheese, biscuits and scotch eggs. All day we could hear the pops of champagne corks and we added to it with out Rose Moet. It was rather surreal, sat behind our car on picnic chairs...with everyone else doing the same. In fact, your car park ticket gives you a certain distance behind the car.

On with the polo and the next game. Gosh the horses are huge! Something I really wanted to do, thanks to 'Pretty woman' was pushing in the divots in the field. And we did. The Queen arrived and presented the winners with their trophy. The royal enclosure have a rope around the place where they do their divots. They don't mix with the riff raff.

We then had a horse parade of horse and carts which was surreal but great. Then it was time to depart, passing all of the Bentley's and chauffeurs awaiting their bosses. I loved polo, I loved the ceremony of it, I loved the picnic and a great day out.

Mads and Erica's upgrade wedding

We were thrilled to witness the 'Wedding upgrade' of Mads and Erica. They previously had a Civil Partnership and gosh their wedding was beautiful. The ceremony was at Islington town hall and was a lovely blend of Filipino, Canadian and British all the same wedding. They both looked stunning and so so happy. Ali especially like the microphones on the Town Hall desks, alas they weren't switched on. When the vows were read, they said the same vows as in their Civil Partnership but alas they were given each others...which made everyone giggle.

The day was full of detail, touches of Filipino, touches of Canadian, a London bus to take the congregation to the reception, pictures on Blackfriars bridge and a reception in a very British pub. The speeches were so personal and hilarious. Then Mads surprised Erica by writing and singing a song for her. What a stunning day with a wonderfully happy couple.

Order of the Garter, Windsor Castle

Day Three of waving Union flags! We got the train to Windsor and walked to the castle. The queue just didn't end! I applied for the free tickets back and again, didn't think we would get them. Through the gates of Windsor castle, we took up camp at our allocated sector below the Round Tower. We sat on the floor behind people on their fold up chairs. The weather forecast was awful, so after yesterday, we went prepared and in full waterproofs. Trouble was, it hardly rained, instead I got sunburnt!


We had our picnic while we waited for the start of the procession. Unfortunately, because of the weather, the procession was by car instead of the guards, bands and the Royals walking down to the chapel. We had to get a quick glimpse through car windows at the Royals and then could see them going into the chapel. We followed the service and sang along to the hymns, and then the Royals departed. We waved instead of taking pictures. Some of the Knights walked up the hill back to the Castle and we could see the full regalia of their mantles and hoods. They are such a deep navy blue, black hat with an ostrich feather and red hood. They got a very special round of applause for walking.


With only one downpour, we were slightly overdressed, but still a great day of pomp and waving the Union Flag proudly.

The Patrons Lunch - a truly memorable day

When I put in my application for the Patrons Lunch public ballot, I thought we had no chance. You can imagine how surprised I was when I received the email that we got tickets. Excited wasn't the word. I had hoped to dress for the occasion but having looked at the weather forecast of heavy rain all day, I went semi smart and Ali went in full waterproofs that we wore in Antarctica!


We got to the Mall and joined the queue. We had a great chat with the Scottish Dancers and then the rain started. Luckily we were given a poncho so I went for double protection with a waterproof coat and poncho. The rules were pretty strict, no umbrellas, no flags and bags smaller than 30cm by 15 cm. We were also given a Boots wellbeing bag of plasters, wetwipes, lip salve and sun cream! PG tips gave us a special edition cup and saucer. I then understood the rules on no luggage, we received lots of luggage while there! Through security, we then picked up our weighty M&S hamper from our station, Clare Balding and Michael Fish walked past us and I queued for the free tea tent.


Still rainy and then it got heavier and heavier. We were sat right by the central aisle for the parade. We set up camp and sat in the rain for over an hour but it didn't dampen our spirits, nothing could. Nobody was starting their picnic but we didn't have breakfast so it was like school breaktime, we tucked into our picnic before lunchtime.


Sandwiches, salad, watercress pate, cheese and biscuits, pims, butterfly cakes, water and a lovely trifle. Oh my gosh, the hamper was amazing and worth all the hype on TV. I'd pay very good money to have that hamper again. We saw the dress rehearsal of the parade. Everyone was in ponchos which was a little surreal.


I sat on the mall, eating my picnic and was just thinking about this once in a lifetime event. The free Walls ice cream was a nice treat, in the rain. Then, out of nowhere, the rain stopped...just in time for the Royal Family! They were scattered throughout the mall. As we were in the public section, they didn't reach us, but Princess Anne came pretty close. Then the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came out of the palace and stood up in their car. They slowly drove down the Mall. Oh my, the Queen has the biggest smile on her face.


During the speeches, the Queen made a joke about loving the cards and messages for her birthday, but if she is still enjoying it in December, remains to be seen! Everyone laughed. They then went back up the mall in their call, with the Duchess of Cambridge, Duke of Cambridge and Harry behind them in another card. What a treat!


We then had the parade, without the ponchos this time. We spotted the RSPB, Cancer Research and Girl Guiding! We didn't want to leave the Mall, the atmosphere in the rain was fantastic. We walked up the Mall to Green Park and I reflected on what a truly memorable day we were part of. A once in a lifetime event.

Big Royal Birthday Bash

We started planning the Big Royal Birthday Bash back in the New Year and the time whizzed by. We held a joint birthday for the Queen, the Brownie Pack's 40th birthday, Swift's 40th and Robin's 40th. Three hours goes very quick when you start with singing the national anthem for the arrival of the Queen's, afternoon tea, outdoor games, sitting pass the parcel, royal quizzes and then birthday cake. I think Her Majesty would be proud.