Week 20: 17 – 23 August 2015
Awaking in Split and with our flights already booked to leave around 10am, there was a moment of terror when it seemed we were locked in our hostel room. Attempts were made at using the keys and the lock could be heard clicking, but the door would not release. Brendan contemplated making our escape via the balcony doors but being located on the first floor, we were just that little too high up. Roslyn stepped in and gave a woman’s touch and somehow we got out.
Once back in London, we spent the rest of the day recovering from the holiday and preparing for the sad reality of returning to work – lucky we now only had a 4 day working week!
Saturday was as close to Croatia weather as we were going to get in London, 29°C. For the limited period between late July and late September each year, the Royals host an “open home” at Buckingham Palace. We were booked in for the full Royal Day Out, which gave us admission to The Queen's Gallery, Royal Mews and inside the majestic The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Mews would surely have to be one of the finest working stables in existence, and houses a number of historic coaches and carriages, state cars and horses. Amongst those that we saw were the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Gold State Coach. The Diamond Jubilee State Coach was built in Australia and is the newest coach in the fleet, having been purchased in 2014.
The very regal Gold State Coach dates back to 1762, and has been used at every Coronation from George IV in 1821 onwards, including that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It has also since been used for her Silver and Golden Jubilee’s, in 1977 and 2002 respectively.
At The Queen’s Gallery, the current exhibition was titled “Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden”, and explored the changing character of gardens from the 16th through to the 20th century.
Within The State Rooms, unfortunately photography is not permitted and so we don’t have any photos to share. Inside, Buckingham Palace is characterised by superb room proportions, elegant bespoke furnishings, priceless sculptures and artworks along with extensive rich timber and gold trimmings. Today the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are used extensively by the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions.
After a detour via the garden café, our departure from the Royal Day Out was through a small portion of the 42 acre garden. It is amazing that there is a land holding as large and as manicured as this in central London.
By Sunday, the pleasant weather had disappeared and majority of the day was dampened by rain. After spending the day at home watching movies, by the late afternoon the sun emerged. We went across to nearby Battersea Park and hired Santander Cycles to ride around, it is almost like a smaller Hyde Park with lush gardens, sprawling lawns and tranquil ponds and also features a gallery and children’s zoo.
Highlights for the week:
- Flight from Croatia back to London
- Return to work (not really a “highlight” though is it…)
- 29°C weather on Saturday
- Royal Day Out
- Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Gold State Coach at the Royal Mews
- Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden exhibition, at The Queen's Gallery
- The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace
- Cycled around Battersea Park
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