Diamond Jubilee weekend

I could not resist watching this celebration live from the crowds as it was a historic event, which will not be seen again in my lifetime. This post is just to share my photos.

Saturday, when the Queen was at the derby, I went to Tower Bridge to photograph the tall ships that would line the river below the bridge on the following day. I had previously had a sneak preview of the Gloriana rowing barge built for the occasion.

Gloriana moored at Richmond

Tall ships

Ships with the City beyond

The Pool of London from Tower Bridge

Sunday was the greatest day, a river pageant with hundreds of boats. I love my River Thames - I've walked every mile of it, swum in it, boated on it, rowed on it - and I love London, too. So I couldn't miss this occasion in the life of my beloved river. Three hours waiting in a crowd then two hours watching the whole thing float past in the rain, was still worth it. Here are some shots I took from my vantage point near the Oxo Tower.

The Canaletto shot

The royal barge

Historic ships

Monday evening was the jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace (though I spent the day with friends)

Tuesday saw the cathedral service and the carriage procession to Buckingham Palace. I was in Trafalgar Square and got some great photos, though I could only see the heads of the cavalrymen.

A fashion and dance show covering six decades, starting here with the

 '50s.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, gave a short, entertaining speech.

Now this is where a telephoto lens might have come in handy - Life Guards ride through Trafalgar Square

WWII aircraft fly past

Red Arrows over St Martin-in-the-Fields

Nelson and the Red Arrows. I love this shot.

The flypast heading towards the palace

Tickertape

What an amazing and memorable weekend. Millions of people were out despite the rain.

Now for another event that won’t be seen again in my lifetime – the transit of Venus. If only these rainclouds would go away ...

Sue x