Instead of watching it on TV, we decided to experience this event in person. It wasn't raining when we left our residence but the downpour started the moment we reached the City of London (we dropped at Bank Tube Station) where the midpoint of the three-mile long procession is. We tried to orientate ourselves among the blocked roads to our meeting point (we are supposed to meet 2 friends there) but eventually gave up and decided the catch the remaining of what is left of the procession. Thank goodness there are 2 processions so we can always catch the return journey later.
The crowds started to disperse when the starting journey of the procession ended. The fickle minded rain is turning his tap on and off and so are our brollies! At least, the roads are cleared as we made our way to Mansion House which is 2 tube stations away to meet our friends. Here's my chance to also take some (rainy) shots of the streets of London without needing to watch for traffic! Rare opportunity as some of the roads are closed to make way for this event.
Wet, cold and windy streets!
The red and blue British flags did bring some vibrancy to the wet and grey streets of London! Not the most delightful walk with the rain and the wind! We finally made it to our meeting point but we couldn't locate our friends nor did they pick up our calls. Since the return journey of the procession is starting soon, we found a spot along the road and waited for the parade to commence.
This cute baby is waiting patiently for the parade to begin...it is amazing to observe how engrossed he is with the procession! He never cried once even though he was woken up from his nap.Brrr! What a cold and rainy day! Our protective measures - umbrellas, our hoods ... unfortunately weren't sufficient in this dreadful weather. Our shoes (seeping into our socks as well) and hemp string of our jeans are now damp with rain water...it did really dampen our moods a little!
Finally, we hear music and cheers as the return journey of the procession begins! Despite the rain, the crowd line the road and cheer and wave as the parade goes past. Here's some highlights of the parade - floats, carriages/coaches, bands, military and delightful music, horses, morris minors, old London bus etc etc etc. plus many policemen keeping the law and order. The rest of the photos are posted on facebook...
Band of the Welsh Guards
Morris Minors - some of them are over 50 years old!
Float from Dogs Trust - cute huh? They had some of the furry fiends participating in this parade as well!
Old London red bus! What a rare sight!
And finally, here comes the Lord Mayor waving from his 251-year-old gold State Coach...It's the end of the parade as the Lord Mayor finally makes his entrance. As we still have some time to kill before the firework display begins in the evening, we decided to do some grocery shopping, head home for a fresh change of clothes before making our way back to Central London.
Tomorrow ie ,9 Nov is remembrance day service and parade when the Britons commemorate those who fought and died in the two World Wars. Poppies are worn by the Britons at this time of year to remember those who died in wars.
We didn't go and watch this event but we saw the day before 9 Nov, poppies are already being displayed (see photo before) or worn by the public. In fact, some Britons are dressed with the poppies pinned on their garments as early as October.
This arrangement of poppies was displayed at the foot of the memorial.
Well..it has been quite a wet day today but I was glad to be able to catch the Lord Mayor's Show. Come to think of it - the show reminded me a little of Ching gay parade in Singapore. Don't you think so?
