Queens Jubilee Weekend in London

The Queens Diamond Jubilee (60 yrs) weekend in London

A trip to London and a visit to Harrods

Church at Westminster Cathedral (still a work in progress after a few centuries)

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye

On the Thames for the Queen's Jubilee flotilla (Sunday).  We wandered near Parliament and ended up in Victoria Park to (try to) watch the flotilla.  The weather was cool (high ~ 50F) with accompanying drizzle.  The crowd was estimated to be 1.2 million despite the weather.  The challenge was that the Thames was lower than the bank, which only left about three deep to get any kind of view.  Lori wormed her way up to stand on a bench to get a view, Megan and I watched through periscopes.  Below, a civil crowd hours before the start.

The flotilla is a tradition that goes back centuries.  The flotilla starts with manually powered boats.  Because of the many bridges over the river, the boat heights were limited.

The Queen's Barge (yes, the official term) comes into view.  This is probably the closest we got to her all week. 

In the royal boot (cream-colored section, upper deck), the Queen is in white with Price Philip standing next to her in full uniform. Don't know if the weather contributed, but he went to the hospital that night with a bladder infection.    

The crowd whipped into a frenzy after hours of waiting.  Note the periscopes

The Hillstroms after a long day on the river...  The wardrobe required for London is very easy... We've worn the same clothes, hats, and gloves, in February, April, and now June.   

The next day at Westminster Abbey tour.  No pics allowed inside but this is from the inner courtyard

The sun actually came out for a short while Monday proving it can be done. Westminster Abbey with the Goodyear blimp in the background.

The tube is very handy.  Lori and I got Oyster Cards which you swipe to enter/exit the stations which makes you feel like a local.  The tubes were packed after most of the events, so much so that they had to close off some of the stations.  You just have to muscle your way on.  

Coming off the tube at Picadilly Circus heading downtown for the Queens parade (Tuesday)

Countdown for the Olympics at Trafalgar Square - crowd was sparse when we got there

Crowd starting to fill up the square.  At one point, we thought we wanted to go to the mall to see the procession... on the way there, we were met by a sea of people coming at us.  When we turned the corner, a large sign indicated that the mall was full, and they had blocked the entrances (crowd estimated at 1.5 million).  We turned around and went back to Trafalgar Square... we lost a little seat quality but they had a great big screen and entertainment. 

Mayor of London 

The Queen passed ~ 100 yards away, but we never got an actual glimpse.. here's the pic from the big screen

The flyover heading toward Buckingham Palace - a Lancaster and some spitfires

  The Red Arrows

The mall was full.....