Jubilee

What a great weekend it's been.  It's been a great start to the Queens Diamond Jubilee and I've been thoroughly enjoying it.  But before I fill you in with what I've been doing to celebrate we've had some cause for our own celebrations.

This evening we found out that Hannah had been offered a job.  After having her very first singing audition - she was offered the part of 'Belinda' in a children's touring show, called The Wheels on the Bus.  This is fantastic news and is her first paid professional job.  What is great about it is that although it's a tour (something we thought she wouldn't be able to do because of Kai) it's only a couple of nights each week - usually over the weekend.  I am so thankful to God for the 'start' of her career.  He is faithful.  Here she is with her two other co-stars,  after their first performance.





So back to our Jubilee celebrations.  Yesterday we had a street party, which was so much fun.  What great neighbours we have.  We were blessed with the weather too, although it rained in the morning - the afternoon of the party the sun broke out and we sat out, eating, talking, eating, laughing, eating and then going round each other's houses, collecting various parts of house envy along the way.  Here are some photos of our lovely day.

This morning we set off, with great anticipation, to go and see the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant.  I'd love to share photos of hundreds of boats going past, including the wonderful Royal Barge but you're going to have to rely on news blogs for those.  We settled down opposite the National Theatre on the other side of the river feeling fairly positive as we could see the river through the people in front of us, but by the time the Queen travelled by, even with my wonderful step (bought by my more wonderful friend Nicki) I could see nothing.  The atmosphere was great though, once we'd got over the bug that millions of people had pushed in, and what was lovely was the general camaraderie between fellow watchers as we clung on to each other desperately trying to get a glimpse of something.  This was the closest I got to the Queen.  Slightly scary!!!!

Alan had to carry Kai on his shoulders for most of the day - and the wait became too much for him.  

What you can't see is that he is resting his head on Alan's head - not the most comfortable of pillows, but it didn't stop him.  He did wake up in time for the queen to go by and amused us by shouting at the top of his voice "long live the Queen".    It was a good occasion and I have to say I love the pageantry, flags, and the fantastic atmosphere in London.  I count myself very lucky to live in this wonderful city.  We have 2 more days of celebration to look forward to.  Can't wait.