Let the Parties Begin

London is awash with flags in preparation for the Jubilee Weekend celebrations. Today there will be a 41 gun salute. Sunday is the big flotilla where more than a 1,000 boats will travel down the Thames. Streets are closed off for parties. Even Piccadilly will be closed. Monday there will be a big concert outside Buckingham Palace. Tuesday will be a parade along Whitehall and Pall Mall.

A wee damper on the events is the weather. I guess we will be singing "long may she rain over us".



Now if you are around Putney to see the flotilla, pop along to The Exchange Shopping Centre. You'll find a crown there filled with jewels. If you guess the correct number you are in to win your very own diamond ring.

Trooping the Colour

Yesterday was the 'trooping of the colours', a parade to mark the Queen of England's official (as opposed to real) birthday. Originally this parade happened so the soldiers would be able to recognise the flag they would be fighting under.
These men form part of the Irish regiment, recognised by their blue plume. Christian Lacroix recently remodelled and updated their uniforms. True soldiers, they endure hours in 27 degree heat dressed in thick wool uniforms and bearskin hats. And, true to military form there is a rule to cope with mishaps in hot weather - if you sense you are going to faint, you must fall forwards, not backwards or sideways. Now... one of the statements I have made today is simply not true - can you guess which one.