Setting an alarm on holiday feels a bit wrong but that’s
what we did. We set off to Sandringham to see the Royals walk to and from
church. Something I’ve done a couple of times on Christmas day but never on New
Years Day. On Christmas Day, you have to get there before 8 and stand for 3
hours before they arrive. Not on New Years Day.
We parked in an empty car park and walked the familiar walk
to the ‘wellwishers’ area which is cordoned off by a little rope. There was
hardly anyone there, it was great. We got there at 10:30 so only had to wait 30
minutes until they walked to the church. We did a couple of laps of the field
to keep Sailor and Penny warm as it was going to rain all day…and it did just
that. We set up camp half way between the house and the church. Everyone had a
front row pitch, there was no pushing or shoving, no tutting at the fact I’m so
tall. It was perfect. The Princess Royal led the family with Sir Timothy
Lawrence, then the Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise. I said Happy New Year to the
Princess Royal and she looked at me and said it back. Woohoo. The Duke of
Edinburgh and the Countess of Wessex arrived by car but as we were so close, we
could see them clearly. New Years Day is the day to go to Sandringham.
The service on Christmas Day is a lot shorter than the New
Years Day service which lasted an hour. On Christmas Day, half the well wishers
leave after the Royals enter the church but it’s when they return that they
often stop and speak. So we were able to walk straight up to the corner pitch,
the best spot as you are close to the cars and the walkers. We sang the songs
that played on the speakers and started to freeze our socks off as the rain and
wind became more persistant.
The family walked back and I said Happy New Year to the Earl
of Wessex and likewise he looked directly at me and wished me Happy New Year.
So that means I’ve now spoken with Harry, Camilla, Edward and Anne. Few more to
go. By this time we couldn’t feel our extremities and we were already soaked
through but pleased Sailor and Penny got to see the Royal Family. I’m sure they
loved it.
We walked the blue route of Sandringham Wood. It’s well
paved and a lovely walk. By the time we couldn’t get any wetter or colder. You
only know how wet when you go to the toilet and then can’t reapply clothes
because you can’t feel your fingers and every piece of clothing sticks to you.
A lunch stop and then back in the car to dry off and warm up with the heating
on full blast.
On the way back to the cottage we took the scenic route
along the North Norfolk coast and looking at the various seaside resorts to
Cromer. I especially liked the villages with works missing like ‘Wells Next The
Sea’.
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