Proud to be British

I am feeling both proud and patriotic this week. My weekend was spent in front of the screen with wine, ice cream, chocolate and the tv mag. Yes, all the essential things and my favourites for survival in life.

Our lovely Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee. 70 Years as our Monarch. She has remained steadfast through good and bad times. Our anchor through the storms. She has superbly juggled her roles as Monarch, Head of State and the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She has tackled thousands of those daily red boxes demanding attention and her signature. She has completed numerous tours as Head of the Commonwealth. On her 21st birthday she vowed to serve her people throughout her life whether it be long or short. I would not have thought she expected it to be this long. Our longest serving Monarch. 

Recently, she has guided us through the pandemic lockdown. She followed all the rules but continued to be seen in every possible way. Zoom meetings. Her granddaughter's wedding (Princess Beatrice). There was one photo of the happy couple on one side of the church while she and Prince Philip on the other, standing the mandatory two metres apart. She knighted the adorable Captain Tom on the lawn at Windsor for all to see. She addressed us several times giving hope for the future using Vera Lynn's immortal words, "We'll meet again". This weekend she has proved it. We have congregated and celebrated. Good times have returned.

Actually, I am beginning to feel ancient. I remember her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees. What do we do on these occasions? Celebrate with street parties, decorations, numerous special events. At each one we always think it maybe the last one. Over the years she has showed no sign of slowing down until recently. Alas, I think we all know this will be the last one. She is 96 and in amazing health for her age, just suffering mobility issues. Can she make it to 106?

The celebrations began on Thursday morning with the traditional Trooping of the Colour. She was unable to be present but delighted everyone by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony escorted by the Duke of Kent to take the salute and inspect her troops on their return. Her son and heir, The Prince of Wales, stood in for her on Horse Guards Parade. He was escorted on horseback by the Princess Royal and Prince William. There were three carriages from Buckingham Palace. The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge and her children were in the first one. Such excitement for all, this was the first time we have seen all three children together at a ceremonial occasion. Prince Louis sat in the middle and attempted to copy his siblings behaviour including waving. Sadly, Princess Charlotte decided he was a little late and was seen putting his arm down. Humorous! The Wessex and Gloucester's were in the other carriages. Later, when their Royal Highnesses had returned to the Palace we had what we had missed in the last years, a real balcony appearance led by the Queen with 16 other working Royals. It was a great start to the four day celebrations.

The next event was the lighting of beacons all across the United Kingdom. The Queen started the first one at Windsor. By the magic of technology she lit one simultaneously in London watched by Prince William.

On Friday morning I was back in front of the screen for the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Queen did not make it but watched on her own screen at Windsor. Prince Andrew didn’t make it either. He had tested positive for Covid as had the Archbishop of Canterbury. Two peeps who did make it were Harry and Meghan all the way from L.A. This was the only time they were  seen in public. 

Two further events followed on Saturday and Sunday. A spectacular concert and a pageant. Another special and unexpected guest arrived for the Concert, Paddington Bear. Our Queen was not present but she started the proceedings with a prerecorded film of her having tea with Paddington. He offered her a marmalade sandwich which he kept under his hat for emergencies. She also kept one in her handbag. Not even her family knew that this was going to happen. Our Majesty always delivers. She started the proceedings on Thursday and completed them on Sunday with another balcony appearance after the pageant. This time with Charles  and  Camilla, William, Kate and the children. We are told nothing happens by chance. This was deliberate. She was looking to the future, standing with the next three kings to continue our monarchy. 

I looked through my scrapbooks, yes, my friends I was born in the reign of King George VI. I was two when the Princess Elizabeth was actually crowned as Queen. I would like to share with you some pics from various newspapers on that day, June 2nd 1953.

Lady M xxxx

Birthdays!

Hello Everyone,

It's 16th February today so it must be my birthday or rather another one! I cannot believe that it has come round again so quickly. Has it really been 365 days since the last time? We all know it's a sign of old age when birthdays seem to speed up. The pretty pic above was taken two years ago when I was 65 and in Paphos. Have two years slipped by since then? Seven years ago I celebrated my 60th in Paphos when a kind friend found the comment about 'pushing 60'.

Now I'm thinking to myself, I'm dragging 60 and pushing 70. In another decade or five minutes I'm either going to be pushing 80 or pushing up daisies. So, guess I should make the most of every minute that's left. What have I done since I hit 60? Published three books, visited new places, enjoyed  holidays and discovered the privileges of being a senior citizen. So, I've not been idle but there are still things to do and tomorrow is not promised to us. Three years to 70 and before then I have another book to share with the world and another two to write. I would like to move house. Not sure where I'm going but when it's right or if it's meant to be it will happen. They say the devil makes work for idle hands but I don't intend mine remaining idle. Today, I'm getting used to the idea, looking at the cards and slowly recovering from the last weeks in Cyprus. Tomorrow...

So birthdays, what are they? They are those annual events that take forever to arrive when you are a child but somehow speed up with age. The psychologists say that it is because we gain experiences with age and consequently have far more to occupy our minds which makes it seem as if time is passing by more quickly. But that does not explain why we look forward to them in childhood and grow to dislike them as we grow older. There are those milestones... 30...40...50...60 and if you are still around 70...80...90? If you are a UK resident the next decade is really exciting because if you make it to 100, a century you get a telegram from the Queen or reigning monarch. So, does your aim in life simply become the urgent desire to hit the three figure number for the joy and satisfaction of receiving a special card on that birthday and each subsequent one, if you make it?

As time goes by you tend to change without noticing. Appearance, thinking, behaviour, attitude, and then there's that awful day when you begin using phrases like, 'when I was younger', 'not in my day' or 'oh no I'm turning into my mother'. 

When you were a child there were lots of presents and cards and a party with a cake and party games and you were growing up, another year nearer, into that wonderful world of adulthood where everything seemed to be wonderful. No one telling you what to do, money of your own, allowed to drink and go out as you pleased. It was going to be fantastic. Then, after waiting forever the day arrives and suddenly the picture has changed. It has turned into a life of work, bills, problems and responsibility and you yearn for those carefree childhood days again. 

So, what are the joys of birthdays? Why do we wish each other 'Many happy returns of them'? How do we spend them? Parties? Family celebrations? Do you STILL look forward to them? Do you still enjoy them? Do you still look forward to cards and presents? Do your family spoil you? Do you spend them on your own? Which was your best and most memorable birthday? Which was your worst? Would you care to share your memories and/or views of that annual event?

Love to you all, from an ancient Lady M xxxx