SOLEMN SATURDAY

Hello Lovely Blippers,

We heard that our friend, Paddington Bear, who belongs to Mrs. HCB's friend, Gill, was coming to be with us today for Solemn Saturday, so Mrs. HCB was very busy last night making us all not only black armbands, but also a large collage showing lots of photographs of the Queen and then she got up early this morning and made some marmalade sandwiches - she is very kind to us.

Paddington Bear said he had a lot to tell us, so of course, we were delighted to see him.  He was full of stories about when he met the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee back in June and went to Buckingham Palace for Afternoon Tea.  Of course, we didn’t really believe him, but when he showed us the VIDEO, well, you could have knocked us all down with a feather!  What a time he had with Her Majesty and to think that not only PADDINGTON had a marmalade sandwich, but the QUEEN had one in her handbag too, who would have thought it?

Well, that made us think that we had to have a little celebration today, in honour of our beloved Queen, who sadly died on the 8th September after reigning over us for 70 years - but of course, it couldn’t be Silly Saturday, although we are still the Silly Saturday Gang, so it had to be Solemn Saturday.

You can see Paddington standing proudly in front of the collage, holding his marmalade sandwich, and we have all those lovely sandwiches to eat for our breakfast.  Mrs. HCB also bought some mini gingerbread men, McVitie’s, of course, because their ginger biscuits are the best!  She also got out the best china - Royal Albert Lavender Rose - well it is a special occasion, even if it is sad.

So, dear friends, the end of an era but we are so pleased that today, Paddington has been here to share his stories with us - and of course, we will all remember with love and affection our dear Queen and we will be watching  the service on television on Monday - we will definitely make sure there are tissues ready!

We are sure that Admirer would be happy to see us having this little party together - and no doubt she has already spoken to the Queen and told her all about Blip!

With love to you all,

The Silly Saturday Gang and Paddington Bear xxx