Saturday - Trooping the Colour
I wouldn't be able to see the actual trooping at the square, as you needed tickets for that (and they are allocated in February!) but would be able to see The Queen and some of the Royal family up close - with camera in hand, of course. Figuring this could be my best chance to see the Royals while I'm here, I woke up early Saturday morning and headed into central London. I knew the procession started at 10.30am, and they recommended that you aimed to arrive by 9.30am - so naturally, I showed up at 8.30am to make sure I scored a decent spot right at the front of the barrier. Which I did, and just in time too as within 15 minutes there were people all along the barrier. Standing and waiting for 2 hours was a little tedious but not too bad, as we were kept entertained by the Police sorting themselves out along the Mall and where they might stand; someone coming along and changing them; before someone else comes along and changes them back. Also, the British Foot Guards then started marching along the sides of the Street and spaced themselves along; before someone came along with a measuring stick and made sure they were the correct distances apart. By the time the procession was about to begin, the crowd was at least 5 deep on each side of the Mall. The crowd was dressed in a mix of normal clothes, fancy British attire (so suits with vests for the men and with hats, dresses and heels for the ladies as well as a hat or fascinator), or wearing every single piece of clothing conceivable that was adorned with the Union Jack.
First up was a few cars followed by a bus, with a bunch of people in rather smart British attire (but you couldn't make out who they were), and after guards and bands on horseback, came a procession of 3 carriages - the first carrying Camilla, Princess Catherine (Kate) and Prince Harry; the second, Prince Andrew with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; and the 3rd, carrying 3 people who I couldn't name off the top of my head but I guessed they must be the Queen's cousins (which was correct - Prince Edward, Duke of Kent; Princess Alexandra and Prince Richard). More troops, then came the Queen and Prince Phillip - I do have to say, for 89 years old she is looking very good for her age. Same goes for Prince Philip at his 94 years of age - for some reason I expected both to look more decrepit, particularly Philip who going by the media can't have long to go. Having seen them in person, I think barring a bad fall or a nasty illness, both will be around for some time yet.
Sunday - Trip to Loughborough for 9F's
The Great Central Railway is certainly no Severn Valley in terms of scenery, but the line's point of difference is that it is a double-tracked railway - two lines side by side, just like the main lines out on the main railway. This means that trains pass each other unimpeeded, instead of one having to wait for the other to arrive so it can carry on, though I was surprised to discover the double track doesn't go the whole length of the line - the last section between Rothley and Leicester North is only single track. The GCR also has a branch line which leaves the main line at Swithland (but was being used to store wagons when I was there), but the biggest thing of note about the GCR is it actually has two halves - the main half which I visited, and another half on the other side of the main line at Loughborough called the Great Central Railway (Nottingham). They are both a part of the same organisation, and after launching a fundraising appeal late last year they have almost raised the £1 million needed to build a bridge over the main line to join the two halves, which when built will mean the GCR becomes one of the longest heritage railways in the UK (although not the actual longest). They have also just secured funding to build a new display museum at Leicester North (which admittedly needs something done, as its very nothing-ish there) which will house a lot of items from the National Railway Museum as well, meaning the GCR becomes one of the most important heritage railways to visit in the UK, although not necessarily the best. Both the bridge and museum projects will be realised after I leave - in some ways a pity, but you can't do everything! Having visited the GCR, the list of major standard gauge heritage railways to visit has become that little bit less - the North Yorkshire Moors is a prime target although I have no idea when I'll get there, its a bit of a mission to get to from London especially for a day trip!