Diamond Jubilee river pageant

[mallosa]

I thought it was absolutely fabulous despite the weather

How about you?

[linell]

Yes San the Queen looked very smart in her White Outfit, but I thought the Red Barge was horrid, like something from a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, they even put a purple rug in the middle of it, so old fashioned, what about some state of the art steel with white and loads of glass?? Should have shown off our technology and produced a barge fit for the 21st Century not the 18th

Linell.

[MarkCDodd]

Its all they could afford! I thought they should have used a well built Oldbury Canal Boat.

[Jimmy]

To me, a complete waste of tax payers money, but then I am not a royalist.

[peterd]

To me, a complete waste of tax payers money, but then I am not a royalist.

no taxpayer money involed private finace and free time given that why an old barge was done up rather than a new royal barge built

rather stick with the queen thanks than president camron or blair

[SRD]

Not having a telly we only saw the highlights, but it looked great fun. I loved the display from Warhorse on top of the South Bank complex. And it appears that She watched the whole shebang standing on her feet, pretty amazing for a woman nearing 90. Did Phil the Greek grin all through it? He looked as if he was loving it, and at the end, Charlie Boy doing the knees bends to the Fantasia on British Sea Songs was a hoot. Camilla seemed on good terms with Her Maj as well, much closer than that airhead that Charlie married first time round. (Ooops that will have ruffled some feathers )

Actually I'm with peterd on this one, a Constitutional Monarchy may be a bit of a sham but at a cost of less than £1 per person per year it's a damn site cheaper than any elected presidency would be and the glory and glamour that comes with a fully active Monarchy far outperforms any of the second rate politicians who would be lining up for the job. There's also the continuity and dedication of service that politicians are so notably lacking in; there wouldn't be many silver, golden or diamond Jubilees with an elected politician would there? And I think it's important to our servicemen and women that the oath they take is to the Queen rather than some here today gone tomorrow politician.

For some reason or the other our village is celebrating today, with street parties, garden parties, functions at the pubs etc. all culminating with a beacon and fireworks.
We've got friends coming round for Coronation Chicken, A Vaguely Germanic Family potato Salad and Phil the Greek Salad. Others are contributing a White Russian Salad, A Republican Salad and a Revolutionary Pudding (no guesses where their political aspirations lie. )

[Lulu]

The reason some are partying today SRD, is to tie in with the chain of Beacons tonight. There is one at the house behind us, it's a very historic house dating back to the Knights Templar of 1200 and something. They are also having an all day garden party, large screen for the Buckingham Palace Shenanigans tonight and a firework display. If the weather holds, we might walk up there but if it isn't so good, we can turn the little settee round in the window of the spare bedroom and watch it for free.

We are having Coronation Chicken too, with English Asparagus and English New Potatoes. That will be followed by Lemon Victoria Sponge, filled with homemade Lemon Curd, which I made yesterday, when I had a rush of blood to the head while waiting to hear if my daughter had had her repair operation after a bad fall on Friday. The cake is oozing Curd and Buttercream, so will be served in a dish with English Strawberries.