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Friday 1 June 2012

Diamond Jubilee Celebration Weekend!

Can you believe that it's the first of June already?! This time last year, we were getting very excited about the forthcoming wedding of daughter number 2, which was held on the 11th June.  We were rushing around making sure that everything in the garden would be looking lovely on the big day, and sending up lots of prayers for a dry day! Here in England, we don't have too many aspirations about the weather in the summertime.  If there is a big event coming up, we just pray for it to at least be DRY - if the sun shines, then that is a bonus.  (Oh, and the sun DID shine on the wedding day, so we were blessed indeed).



Talking about 'big events', I guess it doesn't get much bigger than the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations that are due to take place in London this coming weekend.  Typically, we have had absolutely glorious weather in England over the past couple of weeks but, guess what, yes, rain is forecast, which will be such a shame, because so many people have street parties arranged throughout the country, and lots of Fetes and Fairs will be held, all in the open air of course.

It will be a particular shame if it rains on Sunday afternoon, when the Thames Jubilee Pageant will be held on the River Thames.  


Over 1,000 boats are preparing to muster for what should be an amazing spectacle.  
It will be one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river. Rowing  boats and working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes will be beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Flags, their crews and passengers turned out in their finest rigs. The armed forces, fire, police, rescue and other services will be afloat and there will be an exuberance of historic boats, wooden launches, steam vessels and other boats of note.


The flotilla will be bolstered with passenger boats carrying flag-waving members of the public placed centre stage (or rather mid-river) in this floating celebration of Her Majesty's 60 year reign. The spectacle will be further enhanced with music barges and boats spouting geysers. Moreover, there will be specially constructed elements such as a floating belfry, its chiming bells answered by those from riverbank churches.


The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will celebrate Her Majesty's 60 years of service by magnificently bringing the Thames to life; making it joyously full with boats, resounding with clanging bells, tooting horns and sounding whistles; recalling both its royal heritage and its heyday as a working, bustling river.


Another event that will be held on the Monday, is the the star-studded Diamond Jubilee Concert, which will be set against the spectacular backdrop of Buckingham Palace and will feature stars from the last sixty years of music.  


So let's hope that the weather forecast is wrong, and that the sun will shine on our country for these very special occasions.  I am sure that whilst watching the events on the television, it will make me feel very proud to be British!


Congratulations Ma'am!
























22 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

I'm sure you do feel proud to be British, dear Thisisme, and the British carry on regardless of weather conditions. If Jubilee events last through Monday then let's hope there will be time for any rain showers to come and go and that they will not linger and wash out the entire event. I know it will be a spectacular sight and a deeply moving celebration whatever the weather.

I vividly recall a year ago when you were wishing and hoping for a fair day for the wedding and the Universe provided. How times flies! This year I pray for my dear friend Thisisme's speedy recovery from what ails her so that she might get back in the swim and enjoy life to the fullest. Bless you, dear friend, and have a fine weekend!

Carol said...

I will be watching the river pageant on TV and have set to record the concert on Monday.

We are having a family garden party (well patch of grass, we call our garden) on Monday.

I do hear that rain is forecast for Sunday, but they are not predicting Monday yet

Enjoy the long weekend whatever the weather :)

carol xx

Cindy Ellison said...

Hi thisame, it is good to see a post from you! Hopefully you are much better. I had a surprise one day of seeing Queen Elizabeth at the Keeneland Races in Lexington, Kentucky. Her visit was unannounced by the media. Sunny skies to you!

Unknown said...

60 years is quite an accomplishment and I also hope the weather is kind so the celebration can happen as planned.
Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous and I was outside under Linda's mom's plum tree with Rocky and Soffie. I would find a good one, eat most of it and toss the remains for them to chase. They were having the best time. I would pick up ones that had fallen on the ground and toss them as well and you should have seen them chewing on plums. Rocky even brought one back with him into the house.
I do hope you are feeling well and look forward to the day when you are back to 100% Have a fabulous Friday.
Hugs,
Odie

Shelly said...

What a glorious and historic time to be in beautiful England right now! The last time I was there was about 30 years ago, and I remember mentions of Her Majesty's 30th annivesary.

60 years of such constancy and faithfulness is an amazing thing, especially in this day and age. Do you think Charles will succeed her, or will it go right to William? I do hope the weather behaves.

I so hope you are feeling better, my friend- you are in my prayers!

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane,
It is wonderful to see your post today and hope you are feeling better♪♪♪
And really happy for your daughter to be a June bride, my friend. I sure get my fingers crossed for good weather to the newly weds.
And, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations☆☆☆ I've seen Japanese Emperor and Empress attended the banquet on TV and really happy that our Emperor made the trip. He mentioned or expressed how important to have met queen at the time of her coronation attending the ceremony. Oh I will be praying for the dry weather both of the big days og the queen and your dughter's wedding!!!

Love and big hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Empty Nester said...

I was thinking about the weather this morning when I was listening to them talk about all the events-I hope it doesn't rain!

BB said...

Love your enthusiasm in this post. Sounds like a 'royally' exciting weekend. I will wish for sunshine and blue skies regardless of the forecast! Hope you have an 'awesome' weekend! Hugs my friend!

Grammy Goodwill said...

I was thinking about you this morning while watching the news with clips from London. My fingers are crossed for good weather for all of you. I wonder how much will be shown on tv here?

Glenda said...

I'm looking forward to watching them on TV as well. Will be sending positive thoughts that the Sun will be smiling all over the Queen's celebration.

orchid0324 said...

Good Morning from Japan, Dearest Diane.
Oh, I REALLY am sorry about misunderstanding about your daughter's wedding date. I am so embarrassed to read that you said "was held" clearly.
Thank you very much for the mail and letting me know. Well, she must be a happy wife to have got married in June♪♪♪
I am looking forward to see the event on TV news this Sunday, my friend!!!
Take Care of Yourself.

PS> I will have a soba guest who is from England today. Yey!!!

Love you always, xoxo Miyako

Rebecca said...

sounds like an amazing time been having fun watching all the entertainments shows here in america talk about it.

Olive said...

I wish you a wonderful celebration. The Queen has endured and carried herself quite well I think.

Olive said...

Not that my opinion matters one wit dear Tim.

Chatty Crone said...

I have been hearing a lot about this - I think it is a great celebrating and I can tell you are proud. She has been a queen for a long time and she was a pretty one too. Love, sandie

Belle said...

I'll have to watch out for videos showing all the boats on the Thames. It sounds wonderful. I well remember how the Queen worked hard during the second world war and has worked ever since. Congratulations to her and to England - a wonderful country with a rich history.

I also remember your preparations for the wedding. Doesn't time go fast, Diane! I'm hoping and praying your health may improve, dear friend. Enjoy the celebrations this weekend.

Unknown said...

Dear Diane,
I certainly hope the weather will stay dry over the celebrations. Hope that you're feeling much better now my friend. It's been cloudy over here in the past few days, with slight drizzle but at least it's not cold any more. am a little late to visit :( already Saturday morning. And will go out for my morning run in the park shortly. Have a lovely weekend my friend!
Big hugs

Eva

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Have a lovely weekend Diane.

I hope that you are in good health and looking after yourself.

Happy Jubilee to all of you across the water.

x Fiona

Sally Wessely said...

I hope the weekend is sunny and bright for you and for all of Britain. What a joyous occasions the Queen's Jubilee will be.

I clearly remember her coronation. (Dating myself, aren't I?) I was seven years old, and the elementary school I attended brought in a television (quite a novelty at the time) so we could all watch the coronation. The television was placed on the landing of the wide staircase of our school. We sat on the steps and watched "history in the making." Our teachers had prepared us the historic occasion. I was enthralled by the entire event and never forgot it.

You can bet I will be watching all the celebration I can as it takes place in London. Long live the Queen!

Lyndylou said...

I will be watching on my TV too and recording the concert as well so I don't miss anything. We had a jubilee parade in Elgin today and it was really lovely. There was great community spirit, made me smile.

Suzanne said...

Hi Thisisme. We've seen a lot on the news about the Queen's celebration, and, I wish I could be there. I've always been so fascinated with England and that there's actually a Queen. I am so proud for you and your country. Hope you're feeling chipper these days! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

God save the people of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Swaziland and Qatar. The QuEEn is a joke.

http://www.channel4.com/news/protests-over-tyrants-at-queens-jubilee-lunch