My 2nd Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

You're only allowed to attend the Queen's Garden Party a maximum of once in your lifetime (as a civilian), but if you're a diplomat, then you can go again and again! The embassy gets are diplomatic tickets every 2 years). I got to use the diplomatic tent, which is basically the same as the other tents except that they serve the tea later and there's no queue. We couldn't bring cameras in, but my friend snuck some photos anyway.

I left work early to go home and get ready.

Recognise the outfit? And it's the same hat I wore last year - hope she won't notice!

(Photo from www.zimbo.com taken on the day I was there.)

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (her hubby) are on the left. It's funny, as soon as they came out, the rain stopped and we all put down our umbrellas. It didn't start raining again until she and the Duke got to the Royal Tent about an hour later. She sure is powerful!

(Photo from www.zimbo.com taken on the day I was there.)

In advance of her arrival, one of her staff picks out people from the crowd for her to talk to on her walk to her tent. I didn't get chosen, but I did manage to get a front row view. Can you see me?! The man in this couple had bad scarring all over his face and he was wearing gloves to cover his hands. It looked like he had been in a fire or something. He was joking around with the Queen and she must have talked to them for at least 5 minutes. She really spends time with the people she meets.

(Photo from www.zimbo.com taken on the day I was there.)

See the 3 men and 2 women standing discreetly behind her in a line? They seemed to be her helpers (one of them was the one who introduced her to the people designated to be spoken to). (The Duke went down a separate aisle so that he could talk to other people and others could get a chance to see him up close.)

You know how I said it started raining when they got to the tent? It didn't just rain, it hailed! And big hail that lasted for a long time! In July!!! It was awesome. I was sheltered in the dip tent for most of it. The Queen escaped from her tent as soon as it let up, which is when I foolishly decided to walk around the gardens. It started hailing again. Luckily I had my umbrella. We got so wet and dirty, it was amazing! Such a fun adventure! We escaped shortly after that, but had to wade through big puddles blocking our way out. (They wouldn't let us exit through the Palace. I guess for fear of us soiling the royal carpetry.)

This is a corner of the Royal Tent. See the hail?

They generously let civilians into the Royal Tent after the Queen had left, so they could be sheltered. But apparently some royal cutlery was stolen! What bad manners!

In the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot

(Photo from www.zimbio.com taken on the day we were there.)

Through the embassy, I managed to get tickets to the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, which is the racing event of the year. It's been a British tradition since 1711 and the Queen attends each year, arriving every day in a horse-drawn carriage. The Royal Enclosure has a strict dress code - I had to wear a "formal day dress" and a "hat or substantial fascinator", while the men had to wear a top hat and three piece suit with tails! I'm not into racing, but it was a cultural experience for me.

There were only 6 races on the day we went. So you get a drink inside (like Pimm's which is SO good and very British), put down some bets, then come out here to watch a race before going back in to grab some food or wander down to the green to watch another race, and so on.

Check out all those top hats!

Each jockey wears distinctive colours and patterns on his outfit, and these are detailed in the racing program, so that we know who we've bet on and whether they're winning.

This is where the Queen watches from. You can't see her at the moment though. The Queen has her own horses that race as well and you can bet on them.

You can also watch from the green. There's actually space to do so in the Royal Enclosure, whereas the General Grandstands are packed!

Taking the tube home. Very posh!
Posing by this cute Mini Cooper outside my building.

I bought this dress especially for this event because I needed something fancy that meet the dress code (straps thicker than 1 inch, no halter necks or off-the-shoulder, no mini skirts, etc.) I found it in a free (and fun) session with a personal shopper at House of Fraser (a department store)! They offer this for free at a lot of department stores here but I don't think many people take them up on it.

Classical Spectacular

Picture a classical music orchestra. Now picture it with a military band playing behind them and a choir playing further behind. Add an enthusiastic showman conductor. That all sounds pretty normal.

Add in a harp, baby grand piano and a giant organ at the back. Plus two opera singers, a pianist and a ballet dancer. Okay, starting to get a little crazy, but still within the classical realm.

Now add a laser light show, soldiers firing muskets and cannons, indoor fireworks, and falling balloons and streamers. Sounds cheesy right?

Now picture all this in the magnificent Royal Albert Hall. Talk about a contrast! Yet somehow it all makes for an over-the-top, thoroughly entertaining evening. All with the popular classical pieces, you know, the ones we all heard with Bugs Bunny as we were growing up.

The music sounded amazing and the venue was packed. This would be a great way to introduce children to classical music.

But not only was it a good classical concert, but it was also a surprising cultural experience. During the song Pomp and Circumstance, everyone in the audience got out their paper British flags and started waving them in time with the music. Then when the choir started singing, the audience sang along as well! (Keep in mind, these are Brits who are normally very reserved.)


The conductor getting the audience to sing along.



Projections of British flags flying all around the hall!

Even the choir is waving their flags!

Later on in the concert, they played another flag-waving song - Rule Britannia, which is a very colonialist song.
"Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never never never will be slaves!"
The opera singers sang along dressed in British flag capes. And who said the Brits don't like to show their patriotism like the Americans.

At the end of the concert, red, white and blue balloons dropped from the ceiling. It was like being in an American political convention!

A charming weekend in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle grounds

I went for a short weekend business trip to Edinburgh and I am really glad I did! Even if the business trip did involve public speaking, which always makes me nervous.

Facing away from Edinburgh Castle. Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre is down the road in front and to the left. Down and to the right is an interesting illusions museum, that has a cool Victorian(?) age telescope that projects the surroundings onto a screen.

The New Town and Old Town of Edinburgh have together been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are charming stone buildings everywhere and the Castle overlooks the city. The whole place had a very relaxed feel, since it was the non-touristy season. It was a great place to just walk around and soak in the atmosphere. I definitely want to go back to do more sightseeing.

Bagpiper playing outside the tiny chapel in the Edinburgh Castle grounds because a wedding was about to take place. The chapel only fits about 10 people squished in.

I think the highlight of the trip was lunch at the Whisky Heritage Centre, if you can believe that! The waiter (lovely thick Scottish accent with rolling r's!) recommended a whisky to go with my main course and another for my dessert. I had to cut it with some water because I'm not used to such potent drinks, but it really brought out the flavour of the food, just like wine would. That was the first time I have ever finished a whole glass of whisky! Normally I just stop at the first sip when I start choking and coughing.

Recommendations

How to get there:

I travelled by train from London. Took about 5 hours each way. About £90 return. Cheaper and almost faster than flying once you factor in travelling to and from the airport on both sides.

31a Nelson St. B&B:

Tastefully decorated B&B room with a separate entrance. Very private and quiet with ensuite washroom with shower. The hosts were very kind and approachable and they have adorable children (one who plays the bagpipes and the youngest helps bring the breakfast in order to earn his pocket money!). They gave us the choice of porridge (oatmeal), muesli or fresh fruit, along with toast and croissants with yummy jam, tea or coffee. In a lovely neighbourhood, all with old stone buildings. Can be a bit chilly at night, but the bed is very comfy with a warm comforter. Is below street level but does get a some daylight through the windows on one side. Can walk to downtown (Princes St, Royal Mile, etc) in about 10 mins. We'd definitely stay here again. We were there in low season, so it cost us £75 for the room per night.

The steps down lead to the front door of the owners. The B&B entrance is further back and on the same level.

Amber Restaurant (part of the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre):

Excellent for lunch and reasonably priced, but much more expensive for dinner. Waiter very knowledgeable about whiskey and recommended some delicious whiskeys to compliment the food meals. Whiskey glasses also well-priced. Food was delicious. A fun way to try whiskey, even if you are not a whiskey connoiseur. Main courses for lunch were about £9. Was about £34 for two for two main courses with whiskey, as well as two desserts with a shared whiskey.

Whiskey recommendations:

• Tried Old Pulteney, 12 yr old and 17 yr old, with our dishes - one was mussels in green onion cream sauce and the other salmon in cream sauce (salmon was SO good!).
  
• Had Ardbeg with the Scottish cheese platter. Had a very smoky taste which brought out the taste of the cheeses.

Iris Restaurant

Excellent fine dining. We had a 3-course meal with a bottle of wine for only about £64 for two.

Urban Angel Café

Yummy fairtrade organic café. Had a lovely light lunch there.

Chocolate Soup

2 Hunter Sq, EH1 1QW

Delicious hot chocolate here - they have all different kinds with a generous helping of whipped cream on top. I had a chai hot chocolate and it was SO good!! Reputation as the best hot chocolate shop in Edinburgh.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Finally! Some proper snow fell in London - 15cm overnight and then more throughout the day on Monday, resulting in the whole city being shut down since they're not used to it. The buses were all cancelled, most of the trains and tube lines suspended, and the runways at the airports were closed! Most of my colleagues couldn't make it into work and the ones that did (including me) were let out early at 2pm to avoid the impending "blizzard".

Yay snow days! I took the opportunity to throw snowballs and go catch an early film. And I took these pictures of the gorgeous scenery on my way to work.

You can see the Punch Bowl in the background which is Madonna's favourite pub and she just bought it last year. I heard that prices have gone way up since then. I hear she lives in the neighbourhood, but I don't know where.

This is a peaceful park near my house. There are tons of these benches in it, all with plaques dedicated to various people who loved this park.

The Canadian High Commission in Grosvenor Square.

The American Embassy on the other side of Grosvenor Square. Yes, it's a monstrosity in the UK, just like in Ottawa. They've taken over one side of the square such that the traffic is more of a 'U' now.

A snowman made by a local hotel, complete with hotel umbrella, shopping bag and slippers.

Mandy Patinkin!!!

 

Wow, what luck! I found out just last week that Mandy Patinkin was going to be in London for just 8 shows, for the first time in 13 years, and I actually got tickets! Not just any old tickets, but front row centre! It was so close that I had to slouch down in my chair so I wouldn't strain my neck, but I was riveted the whole time.

I dragged my friend Mina to go see it with me. I was worried she'd be bored since she isn't really a showtunes kind of person, but she really enjoyed herself. I already knew he was an amazing singer, but he's also really entertaining and funny too! It was much more than him just standing there singing. He told interesting anecdotes, made jokes, acted through some of his songs, even pretending to be Charlie Chaplin at one point. I had a really good time. If he comes back to London during my posting, I'll definitely go again.

 

Back when I first discovered Mandy Patinkin, I looked into his tour schedule and the closest venue was in Schenectady, NY. There was just no hope of me seeing him in concert. And now that I'd forgotten all about his concerts, he shows up in London and I somehow find out about it. What a fluke!

 

I got my Oscar & Steve CD autographed, plus this great photo.