This time last week I was recovering from my trip to Buckingham Palace.

We were beig picked up by a chauffer driven car at about 7.45am, so it meant an early start. We arrived at the Palace in good time. We wwere allowed to drive in through the gates (after police looked under the car bonnet and look in the boot and under the car for devices). We went in the same door all the diginetries go in, there was a red carpet laid out for us.

The decor was amazing. Every thing was opulent but not in an over stated way. Lovely ceilings, scupltres, mantel pieces nad paintings. There was a huge Christmas tree decorated with baubles shaped as crowns.All the ushers were so friendly and helpful.

We wnt on to the ball room where the investiture was held. We had really good seats. We only really got to see a tiny part of the Palace. The royal guards who were on duty were amazing. There were able to stand as still as a statue. Lots of people thought they were not real.

The first person to recieve an award was a woman getting a dame (the female eqivilant to being knighted- becoming a sir). It was for services to the disabled. She was quite disabled her self, so that was quite humbling. There was about 100 recipients....I wanted to know what everybody had done to get their awards. Dad forgot to bow after he received his award... so went back to do it doh! We joked the queen would send him to the tower (as they used to do in years ago)

I am not really into all that deference to the royalty, but it is good that she reconises ordinary people for the contribution they make.It was lovely to have an excuse to dress up for the day and to wear a hat!

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/cu.../lifeguards.htm

I came across this website that easily explains the basics of the royal family and has good pictures of buckingham palace.

All in all a good day was had by all.

I was very tired for afterwards tho...small price to pay.

Mary