I went to London to visit the Queen

September 21, 2008
London, England

Well today started a little bit slower than the previous day. I woke up with a cough and a sore throat and decided to sleep in a little bit (I am on vacation after all so it is ok for me to sleep in). No issues on the tube at all so the trip was nice and quick. My destination today was Buckingham Palace.

A freewheel video

Before I reached the Palace though I got to take in some of London’s Freewheel day. I guess this is a yearly event where the city basically shuts down about a 10 kilometre route on the road to vehicle traffic, so that cyclists can have the road’s to themselves. There were a ton of people out. I can’t remember what time it started at but it went right up until 1630 (4:30pm). It looked like a lot of fun. Lots of families, and music, some people had their bikes decorated or were pulling carts that they had decorated. It was quite the event and everyone seemed to enjoy it……ok maybe not the drivers.

The front of Buckingham Palace

He protects the Palace

So does he.

Since I don’t have a bike with me I decided to spend the day with the Queen…..well not really. She is in Scotland until the end of the month which means that the State Rooms in the Palace were still open. Like many places you can tell who is or isn’t in the Palace by the flag on the roof. If the Union Jack is flying the Queen is not home, if the Sovereign flag is flying, she is in. Buckingham Palace is unlike many other Palaces around the world though because it is in fact a working palace as opposed to a museum. The State Rooms, that we got to tour are the rooms the Queen uses when entertaining diplomats from around the world for state visits. They are lined with all kind of art work collected from the reigns of many monarchs. Not all of these rooms were part of the original palace and you can see with the decorating the thoughts of each monarch when they had a room added.

A little inspection to break-up the reading.

Needless to say I was really impressed and very glad I spent 45 minutes waiting in line to get tickets and then dealing with all the annoying people who also chose to visit the palace that day. They give you an audio tour while you wander through so you c an take as long or as short as you like. There are lot so of extra little things you can learn about along the way as well. I really enjoyed listening to the interviews with those involved with putting on the state dinners. The tables take 2 days to set up and the Queen will inspect them all before the dinner. It is quite an ordeal to make sure that everyone has a full glass of whatever they are drinking and that plates are laid out in front of guests in perfect sequence. Glad I don’t have to worry about that but would love to sit down at one of those tables.

The back side of Buckingham Palace as seen from the gardens.

A shot of those gardens.

Once through the state rooms I got to wander through part of the Queen’s gardens…well really just follow a path past the garden and look at all the grass and the lake and all that kind of thing as the path leads you outside the palace walls. Certainly lots of room for some horseshoes or bocce ball or volleyball or anything else you can think of. I think I could handle a garden party here. Anyone know how I can get on that list?

The security fence around the Palace. Apparently these were put up after someone got into the Palace and into the Queen's bedroom and ask her for a cigarette.

From there I went to the Royal Mews…or stables for those of us who aren’t British. This is where all the Queen’s horses and carriages are kept and the place where all the horses who pull those carriages are trained. Horses are in school for a year before they are put in active duty. In that time the trainers will get a pretty good idea if they can handle the job or not. Apparently not all horses who are born into royalty are cut out for it. When they are retired (after about 10 years or so) they are apparently sent out to the country to graze. There are two different types of horses, Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays. I got to see a couple of them but they are not always on display.

This is Navan, a 6 year old Windsor Grey. He liked the cameras.

Really the mews is responsible for all road travel arrangements for the Queen and the Royal Family. This includes all of The Queens Rolls Royce and Bentleys. One of them was on display. I don’t know cars so I am not sure if it was a Rolls or a Bentley but it was very nice. I could be driven around in that…wave at some people.

Not a Rolls or a Bentley but this is the Golden State Coach. Queen Elizabeth II rode in this coach for her coronation. It is over 200 years old. It is much bigger than it looks. It takes 8 horses to pull it and it cannot move at more than a walking pace.

The Glass Coach. This is the coach that traditionally carries royal brides to the church. This included the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

I think the pattern is….I could handle being a princess….or duchess……or whatever. It is interesting to know that most of those involved with caring for the horses actually live in the mews. All over the place you will see evidence of this with children’s’ toys and flower pots. The horses need 24 hour care and you never know when the Queen…….or a partying prince might need a car so someone has to be there. Many of the stable hands have been in the business for generations. It is a family business and I am sure they do it well.

After the Mews I headed to the Queen’s Gallery. Right now they are showing “Amazing Rare Things”. There were some great pictures and sketches by many different artists but overall I must say this was the only disappointment of the day. I was hoping to see things I would not see somewhere else (you know, because she is the Queen and should be able to get stuff like that) but just lots of things you would see in other art museums.

I then just slowly wandered around Green Park and St. James Park. It was still pretty busy with all the bikers but lots of other people too including a group of young kids who were wadding in the fountain……stealing money. Two boys would go in the water, a few more would play look out. People would yell at them to get out and they would just move to another part of the fountain. They seem to have it all worked out and when I left they had collected close to 10 pounds (about $20 CAD).

A little swimming maybe.

Outside Buckingham Palace

Canada Gate

Me with Canada Gate

I then made a stop at Canada Gate and the Canada Memorial.

This was the sign at the memorial.

Between the kids in the fountain and these kids, I bet you can get what my opinion of British youth is.

I then grabbed the tube over to The Tower of London.

Random street and church on the way to the tube.

I like how thier coats match thier bikes.

The ambulances match too.

I was going to visit it as well but it was a little late and I didn’t think I would have enough time (there will be a future post that will prove me right) so I grabbed some fish and chips and then headed back to my end of town. I have more planned for tomorrow so sleep was needed.

The Tower of London and the Tower Bridge

Julie