Royal Wedding Eve and an amble not a ramble - Take two!!

It wasn't a usual East End Girls walk, taking us hours to cover a relatively small distance but then again, this was no usual occasion.

Earlier in the week, I had an email from Christine one of my dear friends and original East End Girls who said -

"Hi Heather,
I am going for a walk in London come what may next Thursday evening, just to drink in some of the Wedding atmosphere and wondered if you and any of the East End girls fancied an evening walk.  I remember going to London the night before Diana and Charles' wedding and it was fantastic.  Regents Street and the mall look brilliant and just want to see it all in real life, what do you think? "
Love Chris xx

There's Chris and I at Horse Guards Parade later in the walk.

It sounded like a great idea and somehow I ended up being the person to organise it, not quite sure how that happened but.... Anyhow, we met up at Green Park tube on the park side at 6.00 and headed off. We were a motley crew of 6 at that stage, Christine, Barb and Sonia, all East End Girls, my daughter, Ellie and Gemma, the girlfriend of one of Christine's sons.

The park was fairly busy but none of the campers I'd expected to see as yet, perhaps they were to arrive later. Temporary walkways had been laid down and large screens also erected to show the festivities the following day. As we walked through they were showing images of the happy couple.

A lot of the park had been fenced off to allow access to where the temporary studios were  built to allow the best of views from where the world's media would broadcast and it was amazing to see the work that had gone into something like this.

Finishing touches were being put in place for the studios but live broadcasts were also going on and we were to see much more of this at Westminster Abbey.

Pavements are not the most comfortable to sleep but on an occasion like this many were willing to take the chance and at 6.30 there were many people setting up camp, but also a number of places available which surprised me, many were front row views. This photo is at Buckingham Palace where the place was really buzzing and full of atmosphere, a wide range of nationalities and numerous look alike some so uncannily real that you did a second take. Everyone was happy and smiling and very happy to talk. As you can see from the photos, the flags were stunning both those on the flag poles and lamp standards as well as ones of the couple on tents and barriers.


Similar views were to be seen right along the Mall  where people were only too happy to chat and have photos taken. They'll be appearing in photo albums and blogs throughout the world I'd think.

There were also entire families and people of all ages with not only tents but chairs, blow up beds, tables and camping stoves and the champagne was flowing. Well if you're going to do it, it has to be done in style. I could see Ellie was wondering if perhaps we should have planned to camp out!

Rain had been forecast but there looked like not a drop in the offering and I think that might have deterred some.

These ladies were all the way from San Diego! Wonder if they know CF?

I love this photo of the Mall in the evening sun resplendent with it's decor but also the colours of the people and the cyclists I imagine just trying to get home.

From the end of the Mall we turned towards Horse Guards and it was interesting to photograph our iconic images like the London Eye in  juxtaposition with the portaloos, vital facilities. The Eye was seen by us again later as we walked through Trafalgar Square when it was later and darker and it looked stunning adorned with lights of red, white and blue.

From here it was across Horse Guards and out onto Whitehall where we bought flags and stopped to look down Downing Street. I can remember when you could walk along Downing Street and when there was no need for large gates and heavily armed police.

Next stop Parliament Square and my favourite photograph of Winston Churchill in the foreground surrounded by multiple Union Jacks.

The Great West Door of Westminster Abbey is indeed grand, just look at that workmanship but I was a little disappointed here that there wasn't more decoration. It seemed plain in contrast to the Palace but then again I suppose use and function has something to do with it. I've never actually visited this building, should add it to the list.

There was a lot going on though - we were trying to meet up with Mel and Byrony which was proving a challenge. There was a lady playing drums as she walked up an down, people from all arts and parts moved around and there was a very stunning lady dressed in what may have been an evening dress or was it a wedding dress without the veil? Not sure and it also wasn't clear if she was a look alike or not.

Here there was also another great bank of media studios and again many broadcasts taking place.

With the route completed and our additional ladies found, it was getting chilly so what do the East End Girls do? We add a little pace and head for a Costa. We walked up towards Trafalgar Square where we had no success in finding a Costa but did find space and food in Cafe Nero so we all settled ourselves for a well deserved break.

About 3/4 of an hour later feeling energised again we set off homeward saying farewell to members of the group at Picadilly as we walked up the well decorated Regent Street to Oxford Circus and for Ellie and me the Central Line home. Thanks Chris, it was a great idea and a great evening and how lovely to watch all that pomp and pageantry the following day and to recognise all the spots we'd been as well as acknowledge how good we are at laying on an event like this.