Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

Well, we decided to go up to see the Pageant in London. We being me, Mrs W. and my 80 year old Mum!

We parked up at Datchet, and took the South West Trains service to Vauxhall, though it was so packed we wondered if we'd have to stay on until Waterloo! Everyone on the train roared with laughter when the guard said trains were running late because of the unexpected numbers of passengers!

By the time we'd got through the crowds across Vauxhall Bridge, it became apparent we wouldn't get a look in at the river side, so reconciled ourselves to watching on this big screen outside Tate Britain. Once the Queen had passed on her barge the crowds thinned a little, so we got a sight of some of the flotilla. Just after we started walking back, the heavens opened, up till that point it had been dry.

Back at Vauxhall Station the crowds were funneled into a subway. All tired and wet, we were cheered up by some impromptu singing (God save the Queen, Britannia rules the waves, and Jerusalem), and also cheering people walking up steps visible from the subway who waved, and booing those who ignored the crowd.

The guard on the train back cheerfully told all of us packed in like sardines that he was in the middle of the train if we needed him! This too provoked plenty of laughter.

We'd have seen more on the tell, but wouldn't have had the experience of the day that we had, so dispute all it wad worth it.