June 2012, for many an extended Bank Holiday, but for me, the chance to celebrate with the rest of the country a momentous anniversary for the Queen. Here's a rundown of how we've marked the occasion so far,Tyneside-style of course!
Friday evening was meant to be a staff night out, but exhausted colleagues opted for a night in
Back to South Tyneside, and Stevie and I took our picnic rug, beverages and flags down to Marine Park, for the Proms in the Park, something I go to every year, but this year was going to be pretty special. The Sanddancers did not disappoint. Flag-waving the entire evening, and singing out loud to Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and then BOTH verses of God Save the Queen. A sunny, but chilly evening, lots of fun,(particularly the pensioner who insisted on choreographing our flag-waving)and that lovely sense of pride. I insisted to Stevie that we watch the highlights of the Pageant afterwards, and he had to admit he was impressed, mostly with the mechanics of Tower Bridge and the Thames Flood Barrier! Day Two of the Jubilee was brilliant, and the best was yet to come!
Monday 4th June, and we had a lot to fit in. A sunny day was in store so we took the campervan and our bikes to the coast, along with a picnic. A five mile meander along the stunning South Tyneside coastal path was a lovely start, and a 99 a most welcome reward! We then headed off to a Jubilee barbeque with some friends. Union Jack cupcakes, lots of bunting and even a Royal quiz, finished off with a huddle round the chiminea before we headed off to Marine Park once more. We set up our chairs,snuggled under blankets, and tucked in to picnic food whilst the Jubilee concert was relayed on a huge screen, it was almost as good as being at the Palace itself! Clearly some of the crowd had been there for the day, and were somewhat merry, but the atmosphere was brilliant! Dancing and singing along to Elton John, Tom Jones, and of course, Robbie Williams was utterly fantastic. As the Queen's presence was announced, the crowd was on its feet, whistling and waving flags, and cliched as this may sound, you could sense the love felt for our Queen. Watching the crowd was as entertaining as the concert, little toddlers boogying to Stevie Wonder, and our personal highlight, the sight of Princes Wills and Harry bombing down the bank on skateboards(bairns wearing masks).
The finale of the day was the lighting of the Beacon, and the crowds headed up to Lawe Top for the ceremony. The sun setting behind Tynemouth Priory provided the perfect backdrop. We sang the National Anthem, and then the Mayor lit the beacon; a great feeling to know it was one of 4500 beacons being lit simultaneously around the world for the Queen's Jubilee. Fireworks then erupted from the end of the pier, an unexpected bonus and they were all red, white and blue. Looking down over the mouth of the Tyne, under the glow of the beacon,after such a brilliant day - a very special moment indeed!
We arrived home just in time to see the Queen light the Beacon outside of her house, followed by the most amazing fireworks from the rooftop. A superb finale to the day's celebrations. It just made me think...Bring on the London Olympics, and let us show the world what we are made of!
The following day was Grandma's 87th birthday,so I joined her and Auntie Val (celebrating her 67th) for tea and cake. Since we were little, we have always said Grandma looks like the Queen, so it was a lovely addition to the Jubilee holiday to celebrate with another very special lady.
Another Jubilee, taking my collection to three. In 1977, I watched with my junior school as the Queen passed through Hebburn, shortly after my Dad drove up the 'closed' road in his taxi. in 2002, Devon watched with her Infant School as Her Majesty opened the Metro line, and came through East Boldon, hotly pursued by Robyn and I in the car to see her at Fellgate. This year, my bairns were all at the Evo festival, and Stevie had to witness my fervent patriotism with much flag-waving and singing, oohing and aahing, and several emotional tearful moments. He deserves a medal from Lizzie herself for his efforts this weekend, though I think he secretly enjoyed it all!
A fabulous weekend, with our country, and certainly South Tyneside, showing The Queen and the other Royals that they are very much loved, and that we are all incredibly proud to be British!! Rule Britannia!
Back to South Tyneside, and Stevie and I took our picnic rug, beverages and flags down to Marine Park, for the Proms in the Park, something I go to every year, but this year was going to be pretty special. The Sanddancers did not disappoint. Flag-waving the entire evening, and singing out loud to Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and then BOTH verses of God Save the Queen. A sunny, but chilly evening, lots of fun,(particularly the pensioner who insisted on choreographing our flag-waving)and that lovely sense of pride. I insisted to Stevie that we watch the highlights of the Pageant afterwards, and he had to admit he was impressed, mostly with the mechanics of Tower Bridge and the Thames Flood Barrier! Day Two of the Jubilee was brilliant, and the best was yet to come!
Monday 4th June, and we had a lot to fit in. A sunny day was in store so we took the campervan and our bikes to the coast, along with a picnic. A five mile meander along the stunning South Tyneside coastal path was a lovely start, and a 99 a most welcome reward! We then headed off to a Jubilee barbeque with some friends. Union Jack cupcakes, lots of bunting and even a Royal quiz, finished off with a huddle round the chiminea before we headed off to Marine Park once more. We set up our chairs,snuggled under blankets, and tucked in to picnic food whilst the Jubilee concert was relayed on a huge screen, it was almost as good as being at the Palace itself! Clearly some of the crowd had been there for the day, and were somewhat merry, but the atmosphere was brilliant! Dancing and singing along to Elton John, Tom Jones, and of course, Robbie Williams was utterly fantastic. As the Queen's presence was announced, the crowd was on its feet, whistling and waving flags, and cliched as this may sound, you could sense the love felt for our Queen. Watching the crowd was as entertaining as the concert, little toddlers boogying to Stevie Wonder, and our personal highlight, the sight of Princes Wills and Harry bombing down the bank on skateboards(bairns wearing masks).
The finale of the day was the lighting of the Beacon, and the crowds headed up to Lawe Top for the ceremony. The sun setting behind Tynemouth Priory provided the perfect backdrop. We sang the National Anthem, and then the Mayor lit the beacon; a great feeling to know it was one of 4500 beacons being lit simultaneously around the world for the Queen's Jubilee. Fireworks then erupted from the end of the pier, an unexpected bonus and they were all red, white and blue. Looking down over the mouth of the Tyne, under the glow of the beacon,after such a brilliant day - a very special moment indeed!
We arrived home just in time to see the Queen light the Beacon outside of her house, followed by the most amazing fireworks from the rooftop. A superb finale to the day's celebrations. It just made me think...Bring on the London Olympics, and let us show the world what we are made of!
The following day was Grandma's 87th birthday,so I joined her and Auntie Val (celebrating her 67th) for tea and cake. Since we were little, we have always said Grandma looks like the Queen, so it was a lovely addition to the Jubilee holiday to celebrate with another very special lady.
Another Jubilee, taking my collection to three. In 1977, I watched with my junior school as the Queen passed through Hebburn, shortly after my Dad drove up the 'closed' road in his taxi. in 2002, Devon watched with her Infant School as Her Majesty opened the Metro line, and came through East Boldon, hotly pursued by Robyn and I in the car to see her at Fellgate. This year, my bairns were all at the Evo festival, and Stevie had to witness my fervent patriotism with much flag-waving and singing, oohing and aahing, and several emotional tearful moments. He deserves a medal from Lizzie herself for his efforts this weekend, though I think he secretly enjoyed it all!
A fabulous weekend, with our country, and certainly South Tyneside, showing The Queen and the other Royals that they are very much loved, and that we are all incredibly proud to be British!! Rule Britannia!
