Paying My Respect To The Queen
Last night, I paid my respect to Queen Elizabeth.
At around 23:15, I took a 141 bus from near my house and walked to the end of the queue near Southwark Cathedral.
It was a two-and-a-half mile walk, but I managed it reasonably well.
But I did have problems, as it was a bit dark.
- I did have a problem with my boot laces, which I had difficulty tying up again.
- I did trip a couple of times, but didn’t really hurt myself.
- It didn’t help, that some of the pavements on the South Bank aren’t the best.
When I arrived into Victoria Gardens, prior to entry into Westminster Hall, the queue was meandered about twenty times for control purposes.
- It was on a heavily-textured rubber matting and some of the turns played havoc with my feet.
- I now have a large blister on the bottom of my right foot.
- After I left the lying-in state, I was asked by a Red Cross lady about my visit and she said others had suffered how I did.
I would suggest that if you go to the lying-in state, you choose your footwear with care.
I’ve been to Westminster Hall before and I wrote about it, in To a Reception at the House of Lords, which includes this picture.
The hall did the Queen proud today.
If you get a chance to attend, do it! But be careful about your footwear!
Also note, that from the time I joined the queue until the time I left Westminster Hall was over eight hours.
To a Reception at the House of Lords
Last night, I went to a reception for Liverpool University alumni at the House of Lords.
It was an excellent do, with drinks and nibbles, some of which were gluten-free, in the Peers Dining Room hosted by Lord McNally.
In some ways afterwards was the highlight, as a small group of about eight of us, walked out through an empty, except for one security guard, Westminster Hall. We asked if it would be OK to take a picture and several of us did.
An Empty Westminster Hall
It really is a magnificient building.
Never when I was lying in hospital in Hong Kong, did I think, I’d ever be able to go to something like that again.
So never give up on life! You might miss the good surprises it has in store for you!
The Anonymous Widower 