God Save the Queen!

Saturday

Each year in London there is the state occasion: Trooping the Color. (Color means flag in this ceremonial parade). The ceremony is the monarch’s official birthday parade – this year marked her 85th birthday. Mom, Dad and myself took part in the well-wishing, cheering, and at one point crying, To get good background on the significance of the occasion as well as know where certain parts would take place, we participated in the occasion with a London Walks guide. Our guide had been former guard. 

The event was about the Queen but all eyes were on the new Duke and Duchess playing prominent roles in the event for the first time. Price William rode faultlessly on his charger while Kate took her place with other members of the royal family in the carriage procession. She rode in a horse drawn Barouche with Price Harry, along with the Duchess of Cornwall and Duke of York. Our guide taught us about the different types of uniform William and Harry could choose because they are Royals as well as in the Air Corps. Price Harry was kitted out in his Blues and Royals uniform and Army Air Corps blue beret. Prince William is now Colonel of the Irish Guards; therefore he wore the famous scarlet tunic of his new regiment and bearskin hat.

And the Queen! She arrived in an Ivory Mounted Phaeton drawn by two Windsor grey horses. She was with the Duke of Edinburgh, who was dressed in uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. The Queen has reined since 1952 and first took the royal salute in 1951. Every year since she has continued to receive the mark of respect. Although the Queen’s actual birthday is 21 April, it was decided in 1748 that the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign,

The group was cheered on loudly by all of us as they travelled from Buckingham Palace, along Constitution Mall and into the Horse Guards Parade. Over 600 guardsmen marched. More than 1,300 officers and soldiers were on parade to salute their Sovereign, including several who had recovered from serious injuries while on duty in Afghanistan. I felt it was significant that we were there to salute both the Queen and them, acknowledging their efforts and strength. The music was provided by the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards and the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry as well as with the Corps of Drums.

Seeing the horses, the guards, the instruments, all in perfect unison, was breathtaking. I was stunned over how precise everything was in the parade. Tradition is so important in England with its monarchy. The monarchy here is the true representation of long standing customs and history.

As if the day weren’t exciting enough by 13:00, we took an afternoon trip to Oxford. Getting to and from Oxford was so simple. The National Rail services, First Great Western, at the Paddington station in London is really convenient and well organized. It was only an hour train ride both ways, with two stops along the way. Immediately after we stepped off the train, it was clear this town was bustling that day. The university city of Oxford is a beautiful and compact city; full of medieval gems, historic buildings and obviously one of the most highly regarded universities in the world. It’s also home to an upbeat assortment of shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Throughout the city there are large pockets of green, including spacious parks, and landscaped courtyards. Oxford certainly does thrive on tourism and it’s evident that it makes every conceivable effort to promote and embrace visitors.

Stopping into the Oxford Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on Broad Street was helpful – it stocks useful brochure, self-guided walking tours and other helpful pamphlets. For 60p, we got a map and did our own venture around the city.

We walked down numerous streets and alleyways throughout the quaint Oxford. My favorite parts were the individual schools’ courtyards and structural designs (especially St. John’s and Pembroke), the old clocks, the churches and the famed The Eagle and Child pub on St. Giles, It has associations with the Inklings writers’ group, which included Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, so the two are known for having spent much time there. The pub has a warm layout and friendly staff.

Pembroke (that's Mom and Dad there)

Ashmolean Museum

The Eagle and Child

St. John's

Trinity

The Radcliffe Camera

St Mary the Virgin Church

Academia certainly takes centre stage here. Every street we were on there were groups of university students, some wearing their black gown and carnations. What a beautiful site it was to see long standing academic traditions first hand! The university buildings of golden stone with their spires, towers and domes have shaped a timeless city. As a visitor I will never forget this City of Dreaming Spires. Both its ancient and long standing scholarly history as well as its modern cosmopolitan town life make it a true gem of the UK.

Sunday

In the morning I joined my family for mass at the first church I came to with Dad the first weekend I got here. The Church of the Immaculate Conception on Farm Street is one of the most stunning churches in London. Yesterday’s mass was celebrated in Latin, with the readings prophesized in English thankfully. While it was long and hard to follow at times, it was a beautiful mass marked by its liturgical traditions.

Back into the rain, we made a quick stop at Dad’s office. Mom, Grandmom and Aunt Nan had yet to see the eclectic art and floor textiles, so they were in for a surprise. Then we went back to their hotel to freshen up and decide what to do for the day before our dinner reservation.

Bright, sunshiny days are not regular in London, even in the spring and summer. Luckily rainy days in London don’t have to be a total wash out. Thankfully one of the coolest cities in the world has an abundance of things to do and places to visit on cold, grey, wet and miserable days. Yesterday was one of those days. The Golden Girls and Dad went back to V&A and Kensington. Mom and I went off to do some souvenir shopping in the Green Park – Piccadilly area. 
Before we left, we enjoyed some tea and coffee in the hotel.

First stop was the shop next to Buckingham Palace inside the Queen’s Gallery building. It’s an adorable shop with chinaware, homeware, fragrances, biscuits and chocolate, jewelry, books, other souvenirs and gifts. An entire section of the fair sized shop has commemorative china and other ornaments to mark the Royal Wedding of Price William and Kate Middleton.

Making our way back through Green Park, we dropped off our shopping bags and then journeyed to Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly. This store is incredibly unique and beautiful. It is renowned as purveyors of fine foods, hampers, teas and wine. The hampers have been a tradition since Victorian times when they were sold as picnics for visitors of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park.

Food may come first F&M but then you lift your eyes to the spectacular atrium and your feet lead you to the delights aloft. There is a floor of femininity dedicated to handbags, shoes, jewelry, scarves, and perfume. Another floor has men’s accessories. Another floor has a cook shop, frills for tea and entertainment and a spectacular chinaware and crystal section. The store has held a number of Royal warrants; grocers include Prince William and the Queen. It’s intricate and carefully crafted window displays are some of the best in London. F&M is surely a theatrical oasis in the middle of Mayfair.

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We celebrated the family’s last night in London with dinner at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho. The restaurant has an easy and comfortable style, mixing modern touches with the decadence of the bygone era. The menu is interesting; it lacks elaborate wording of so many restaurants today; it settles solely in simple descriptions. Overall the menu represents a uncomplicated tastiness – good, old fashioned British cooking with a modern twist.

Having no idea what a concoction entailed, I went with the Grilled Dover Sole (and so did Mom and Dad). Aunt Nan ordered the Mince and potatoes, Grandmom the Grilled Monkfish, scallops with bacon and pearl barley and Justine the Blythburgh pork tenderloin with celery, Bramley apple and horseradish. My fish had a crisp skin; delicate and meaty white flesh. Absolutely impecible. We were left with a nice pause after our main course to chat, and steadily sip our wine. Justine and myself shared the Baked Alaska for two. Light and decadent; it was the perfect end to a wonderful meal. Dinner with my family was such a joy; especially the time I got to chat with Grandmom off to the side. Everyone was having such a great time and seeing everyone smile made my heart sparkle.

As anticipated, I had to say goodbye to my family following our wonderful dinner. It meant so much that my family traveled to see me. Thinking back to Christmas Day - I told Grandmom I was accepted into the program and she said “I will come visit you.” Her having never flown on a plane before, I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to happen. But when she applied for her passport and made sure everything was in order – I knew she was serious. I am so grateful for that it came true. Their week here went incredibly fast. Looking back on the week, I am so blessed to have a wonderful family.