King Charles III Coronation
Don & Scott were arriving on a long visit to the UK and in time for the Coronation. So I toddled off to London to meet them. They arrived on Thursday afternoon (with only ten suitcases or so, this time, and the scooter!). They settled in at Chopwell Close immediately. I left Stratford on Coronation Day (Saturday) morning on a gloomy wet day with them watching coverage on TV, having talked themselves out of going to The Mall!
But, before they arrived, I went for my next Covid Booster. Normally I wouldn't bother with mentioning this but it turned out to be at a NHS Health-Hub in Leyton (which took me ages to find, but involved a delightful ride through The Olympic Park). The Doctor's surgery was on the third floor and she didn't mind in the slightest my taking a picture out of her window of the footer-ground. I never thought I would see (or have ever had the least desire to see) Leyton's Ground but, actually, I am quite glad I have!
But, before they arrived, I went for my next Covid Booster. Normally I wouldn't bother with mentioning this but it turned out to be at a NHS Health-Hub in Leyton (which took me ages to find, but involved a delightful ride through The Olympic Park). The Doctor's surgery was on the third floor and she didn't mind in the slightest my taking a picture out of her window of the footer-ground. I never thought I would see (or have ever had the least desire to see) Leyton's Ground but, actually, I am quite glad I have!
Don & Scott have several East European friends, many of whom they have visited at their homes or had them visit them in Florida. Their Ukrainian friend Artur now owns two Ukrainian restaurants in London, the main one being XIX Nineteen in Stratford. See picture on the left. It is really aimed at a more youthful market than us but we had a great reception. (It is, apparently, extensively on Instagram, whatever that is!). Artur kindly collected D&S from Heathrow in a Ukraine registered Land-Rover Discovery!
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On Saturday morning I set off back home on a miserable morning, not that it seemed to bother the Royal Watchers on The Mal (though it did reduce the fly-past to a shadow of what it was supposed to be). I arrived home (efficiently via WESTLink from Yatton) and, immediately went to spend the afternoon with Margaret. At 6pm in Winscombe, it was the naming ceremony for the new Police Horse, Sandford - apparently it is common to name police horses after local places. It was well attended and a great event for children (and me)!
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On Sunday, it was The Sandford Station Fête Day. Thankfully the weather Gods shone on us to reward Wayne and Samantha who had worked incredibly hard to arrange the day. But first, my friends, Val from Wrington, Vera from Congresbury and Shelegh (from here!), joined me for lunch in The Pullman. It was just great to have them here and made my day. The plan was to go and fetch Margaret & Lyn and take them to the fête but, already, Gemma had, magically, assembled all from Ashmead on the lawn by the Bowling Green.
There were two bands playing - the Ramblyn Time Trio who I always enjoy and The D-Day Dollies who were new to us here. For the second session, the DDD went to play on the Station while the RTT remained by the Bowling Green. I decided to take Margaret & Lyn to the Station where they sat right in front of the band, having a great time and singing along with every word. So I missed the RTT, but they will be back.
On Monday, it was the last event of the Coronation Celebration. Kirsty (from MiniConcerts) came to play in the Clubhouse, so there are a few pictures of that as well (and one at the start of the celebrations with Queen Barbara, Sharon & Wayne).
There were two bands playing - the Ramblyn Time Trio who I always enjoy and The D-Day Dollies who were new to us here. For the second session, the DDD went to play on the Station while the RTT remained by the Bowling Green. I decided to take Margaret & Lyn to the Station where they sat right in front of the band, having a great time and singing along with every word. So I missed the RTT, but they will be back.
On Monday, it was the last event of the Coronation Celebration. Kirsty (from MiniConcerts) came to play in the Clubhouse, so there are a few pictures of that as well (and one at the start of the celebrations with Queen Barbara, Sharon & Wayne).
As you have seen above, there were Scarecrows. That is Meryl's on the left. On the right is the soldier created by the Gardeners here. You won't believe this, but he disappeared sometime on Friday afternoon. Nobody saw nothin'. Appeals on Social Media yielded no response. How disgusting and heartless is that?
Anyway, you will have noticed from the above that I had a brilliant and busy Coronation.
No, that's not an official competition Scarecrow in the middle, but without 'Big Ears' none of this would have happened! Thank you, Your Majesty.
Anyway, you will have noticed from the above that I had a brilliant and busy Coronation.
No, that's not an official competition Scarecrow in the middle, but without 'Big Ears' none of this would have happened! Thank you, Your Majesty.
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