That was a good wedding weekend, wasn't it? I didn't have huge plans - Hubs and the boys were headed off to Wales, camping. So I had a date with the sofa planned and then after the balcony moment, a whizz down on blissfully empty motorways, to visit my folks.
But clearly, more elaborate celebrations were happening everywhere. Fabulous Flowers had the most amazing floral bicycle basket going on. Actually, I could cheerfully photograph their shop window every week - their displays are so incredibly creative and joyful.
And my neighbours had rustled up the biggest Union Jack I have ever laid eyes on! Clearly they were celebrating on a grand scale.
But I was content to sit quietly, glued to the TV coverage, with my box of tissues by my side. Regardless of your position politically on the Monarchy, these are historical occasions and I feel honour bound to soak them up. I think it's probably hereditary.
When Charles and Di got married, my Dad had just relocated to Nigeria, but my Mother refused to fly out to join him until after she had seen the wedding. Similarly, for Andrew and Sarah, we returned to Saudi Arabia the very next day with all the comemorative newspapers and a video of the ceremony in the hand luggage, so all the poor folks on our compound who had missed it could see the wedding. Seems funny in these days of internet streaming - overseas seemed so much more remote then.
And given that we are all in a wedding mood, the winner of the Dorset Cereals giveaway - well, it had to be Nancy. It's hard to top her answer:
Life's too short not to say Yes! when he asks you...or in my case "are you serious?! Ooooh yes!".
Send me your address details Nancy - much cereal coming your way!
Ooh how lovely to be back! And hear that I haven't missed much on your blog either! That flower display does look rather impressive, quite an inspiration really!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | 03 May 2011 at 11:14
Good grief, that's a big flag. Come to think of it, it's a big house...
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 03 May 2011 at 12:20
Oooh that flower shop looks so beautiful. I watched and wept, it was such a joyful and elegant day.
Posted by: Rebecca | 03 May 2011 at 13:44
That is such a huge Union Jack - one of the biggest I've seen.
I loved your Royal Wedding stories. They are fabulous! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | 03 May 2011 at 16:35
I'm Irish and a republican and I shed a tear! I really enjoyed the uncynical celebrations, especially the bunting. Aoife x
Posted by: myhome | 03 May 2011 at 19:18
I HAD to buy Hello! magazine too.
Sad. I just couldn't help myself.
Posted by: Monica | 03 May 2011 at 19:47
Oooh! That's so exciting! You've made my day, Ali - thank you!
I loved watching the wedding too, and got very geeky about some of the sewing details in the dress.
Posted by: The List Writer | 03 May 2011 at 19:58
I won a box of Dorset cereals a year ago, to my great delight. . . . only to discover that they didn't INTEND for Americans to win! HOWEVER, the story ended extra happily with Dorset shipping the box to me anyway. They were GREAT cereals!
Posted by: Rebecca | 03 May 2011 at 22:44
I really enjoyed the coverage, we do pomp and tradition so well. And I enjoyed being catty over some of the outfits!
Posted by: French Knots | 06 May 2011 at 20:19
I can't even remember if I watched Charles and Di wed - although I do remember that two kids who dressed up like them won the fancy dress competition that summer...
Still, I skim read my friend's People magazine coverage of the wedding, so I'm hoping that I can bluff my way through if they do try to pin treason on me. Again, it was at 3am! Far too many Americans put me to shame by staying up and watching, though.
Posted by: UK lass in US | 07 May 2011 at 16:36