As I mentioned in Chat, OH and I went to Buckingham Palace yesterday.
It was a coach trip organised by the Secretary of a group of pensioners OH belongs to. The organiser is phenomenal and arranges events at least once a week, sometimes twice. However, we haven't been on any since March since we didn't want to book and then find I couldn't go, so we were looking forward to our day out yesterday.
It was an early start, and we were meeting the coach in Winchester and thought an hour would be plenty. It was ok, but not plenty as the morning traffic plus the inevitable road works slowed things down. The coach was lovely and comfortable, and the driver was excellent. Anybody who like me is travel sick really appreciates that. We were dropped off right outside the Palace entrance - not the one at the front, but we didn't mind using a side entrance! Security was efficient and speedy, and then we were free to wander round the State rooms - the ones you see on tv on grand occasions. There was a commentary provided on a mobile device with headphones. I didn't bother listening to it, as I'd rather just look.
I was impressed that everything looked clean, well-cared for and in excellent condition. As we went from room to room you could identify them from countless tv broadcasts. The late Queen's favourite State room, the white room, was definitely the most beautiful in my opinion, but the Music room came a close second. The walls were full of very grand works of art - portraits of course, but also a lot of other pictures, like Canalettos. It makes you realise that the Royal Art collection must be huge.
What I found fascinating, however, was the King's Tour Artists. Since 1985 the then Prince Charles has always taken an official tour artists on his overseas trips. The brief is "paint what you find interesting, exciting, unusual, unexpected etc in whatever medium you choose. (I think the King pays for all this himself). The resulting exhibition of this body of work was on display for the first time in the Palace Ballroom. The works were incredibly varied and interesting, and I could have spent hours looking at them.
After the indoor tour, we went out onto the steps - the huge lawn beyond is where Garden Parties are held. We headed for refreshments as breakfast was just a distant memory. You aren't allowed to take your own food in, so you are a captive customer. The choices were mainly sandwiches and cakes. Being sensible (cough, cough) we chose sandwiches and a cup of tea. Nothing special but perfectly ok. I was more than ready to relax and watch the world go by for a while before we joined a guided tour of the private garden. The tour guide was a young girl, who was excellent. Knowledgeable, funny and very engaging. This is the garden which started life as a sort of copy of Versailles, but over the centuries became a family-friendly outdoor space for children, both royal and staff families. It's surrounded by tall and closely planted trees which screen both traffic noise and people wishing to get a sneaky view into the garden.
We were then ready to relax again, and had delicious ice creams in the garden. There was the inevitable gift shop, of course, and we were rather taken aback by how expensive the souvenirs were. We just bought a small gift for the GDs for looking after Eva, and the customary fridge magnet for their parents. We always try to find the tackiest ones possible, but it seems royal fridge magnets are rather staid.
The journey home was uneventful, but slow, and we got back about 8 pm. I was very tired, but pleased we'd been able to go and enjoy the day.
It was a coach trip organised by the Secretary of a group of pensioners OH belongs to. The organiser is phenomenal and arranges events at least once a week, sometimes twice. However, we haven't been on any since March since we didn't want to book and then find I couldn't go, so we were looking forward to our day out yesterday.
It was an early start, and we were meeting the coach in Winchester and thought an hour would be plenty. It was ok, but not plenty as the morning traffic plus the inevitable road works slowed things down. The coach was lovely and comfortable, and the driver was excellent. Anybody who like me is travel sick really appreciates that. We were dropped off right outside the Palace entrance - not the one at the front, but we didn't mind using a side entrance! Security was efficient and speedy, and then we were free to wander round the State rooms - the ones you see on tv on grand occasions. There was a commentary provided on a mobile device with headphones. I didn't bother listening to it, as I'd rather just look.
I was impressed that everything looked clean, well-cared for and in excellent condition. As we went from room to room you could identify them from countless tv broadcasts. The late Queen's favourite State room, the white room, was definitely the most beautiful in my opinion, but the Music room came a close second. The walls were full of very grand works of art - portraits of course, but also a lot of other pictures, like Canalettos. It makes you realise that the Royal Art collection must be huge.
What I found fascinating, however, was the King's Tour Artists. Since 1985 the then Prince Charles has always taken an official tour artists on his overseas trips. The brief is "paint what you find interesting, exciting, unusual, unexpected etc in whatever medium you choose. (I think the King pays for all this himself). The resulting exhibition of this body of work was on display for the first time in the Palace Ballroom. The works were incredibly varied and interesting, and I could have spent hours looking at them.
After the indoor tour, we went out onto the steps - the huge lawn beyond is where Garden Parties are held. We headed for refreshments as breakfast was just a distant memory. You aren't allowed to take your own food in, so you are a captive customer. The choices were mainly sandwiches and cakes. Being sensible (cough, cough) we chose sandwiches and a cup of tea. Nothing special but perfectly ok. I was more than ready to relax and watch the world go by for a while before we joined a guided tour of the private garden. The tour guide was a young girl, who was excellent. Knowledgeable, funny and very engaging. This is the garden which started life as a sort of copy of Versailles, but over the centuries became a family-friendly outdoor space for children, both royal and staff families. It's surrounded by tall and closely planted trees which screen both traffic noise and people wishing to get a sneaky view into the garden.
We were then ready to relax again, and had delicious ice creams in the garden. There was the inevitable gift shop, of course, and we were rather taken aback by how expensive the souvenirs were. We just bought a small gift for the GDs for looking after Eva, and the customary fridge magnet for their parents. We always try to find the tackiest ones possible, but it seems royal fridge magnets are rather staid.
The journey home was uneventful, but slow, and we got back about 8 pm. I was very tired, but pleased we'd been able to go and enjoy the day.
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