A Birthday, A Wedding & An Eye Test

A quick trip to London today for a routine eye test and contact lens check-up in Oxford Street. Before that, I just had time to whizz over to Buckingham Palace to see the Royal Family appear on the balcony following the Trooping the Colour ceremony for the King’s official birthday. This was after hearing the 41-gun salute being fired in the adjacent Green Park in His Majesty’s honour. I had a good view of the various aircraft which did the traditional fly past, ending with the red, white and blue smoke from the Red Arrows. I’ve put a photo in Extras of the Palace, though it’s not very good as I only had my phone - you might just be able to make out the tiny specks of the Royals in it!

I just about made it to the optician’s in time for my 1.30pm appointment. All went well apart from me having an uncontrollable coughing fit in the middle of the contact lens check. The poor chap had to go and get some cough sweets! I was mortified!! My eyes were given a clean bill of health and I’ve got a new pair of specs on order as the prescription has changed a bit this time.

On a whim, I stopped off briefly at St Paul’s Cathedral on my way back to Liverpool Street Station. It just so happened that there had been a wedding there, and the bridal party was emerging on the main steps as I arrived (see Extras). I followed them round the corner to where there was a red London bus filling up with guests, and the newlyweds paused for pictures in front of it before getting into a chauffeur driven vintage car.

Once back at Liverpool Street, I had a very late lunch of ham, cheese and leek quiche which was rounded off with a delicious summer berries and custard brioche (see Extras). I was home again by 5.30pm, exhausted, and am now watching the Trooping the Colour highlights on BBC2.