James had a good idea for the last day of our London break. Monday was the State Opening of Parliament so he suggested that we go along to Horseguards Parade to see the Queen pass by in her carriage. Fortified by breakfast at Pret A Manger (yet again) we went along and found ourselves part of a large crowd waiting for the Queen. Along came the carriage, drawn by beautiful white horses, and we could clearly see the Queen and Prince Charles inside it; the Queen was wearing white robes. Then James had another brainwave. We crossed through Green Park to the Mall and waited to see the Queen on her way home from the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace. We didn’t have too long to wait, and I managed to take some good photos as she passed by. James then navigated us expertly to Waterston‘s flagship bookshop in Piccadilly, where we had lunch up on the 5th floor overlooking the roof tops. Our last port of call was the Royal Academy. We haven’t been in there since the Paintings the Modern Garden exhibition nearly four years ago, and since then it has been extended. We had coffee in the poster room and then a wander around the permanent exhibits. My favourite section was by 18th century artist and sculptor John Flaxman, who did a series of excellent outline drawings of the Iliad and the Odyssey which proved to be an inspiration for 19th century graphic novels and 20th century comic strips. The way he drew them is clearly the basis for Marvel superheroes in action.
All too soon it was time to go to the airport to head home. The journey was fine but unfortunately I have brought a souvenir home with me from London. It’s a horrible head cold, no doubt caught on the plane on Friday or on the Tube during the weekend. I have been feeling very sorry for myself all day and James has heroically been providing me with many cups of tea.
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