Cars, Cars, Cars! The Motorexpo at Canary Wharf, 11-17 June 2012

For the last 17 years, Motorexpo has come to London and this week we're lucky:  the squares, parks and lobbies of Canary Wharf Financial Center are filled with millions of pounds' worth of automobiles, AND we have had some sunshine in which to enjoy it!

 Among the makers represented here are, in no particular order:  Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Lexus, Land Rover, Jeep, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Mini, Tesla, Volvo, Chrysler, and the list goes on.   There's something for everyone and the lack of mid-week crowds means that we can take our time, enjoying the weather and cars on display at a leisurely pace.

Some of the cars are rare collector's items, looking for a that breed of owner who is filling out his stable with a very special, one-of-a kind purchase.  Still other automobiles are there so that the public can see the latest design and technological innovations the various makers' development teams have to offer. 

In the end, it's a really fun event.  Here is a sampling of what you can see if you attend this free event:



Vintage Cars - A Collector's Dream

Land Rover Experience - Climbing a Hill Blind



Teetering on Three Wheels




Descending on All Four Wheels



Land Rover Defender Kitted Out for Adventure




Two Teslas are Better Than One



Rolls-Royce's Hood Ornament

BMW Racing Motorcycle



A Ferrari Dream Car

Dreams of Warmer Climes

It's another rainy, cold day in London, and dreaming of warmer places is to be expected! 

Nearly a year ago, I left London and met five special ladies in Mallorca for what was to be a truly special week, celebrating our 50th birthday year as a group.  As I think back on that time, I realize even more why I enjoyed that time so much:  we had a months-long build-up to our meeting, filled with planning and a whirlwind of excited emails, as some of us had not seen one another for many years. 

We'd chosen a beautiful home in Soller as our base, one with views out over the town towards the port, and the weather was predicted to be perfect.  Here are some images that show just how idyllic a time it was.

The beautiful turquoise water of Cap de Formentor

While there we took things at a leisurely pace:  we planned to so things as a group, but usually chose to do whatever came to mind on the spur of the moment out of the list of things we had listed as "must-dos."  This made for a relaxed time, with little pressure, which was absolutely perfect --
I will hold it as one of my favorite vacations.   

The terrace of our rental home in Soller



Delicious, ripe apricots at the Sineu market



Views like this kept us going on the hill climbs to Deia by bike!




Agapanthus, daisies and baby olives make a pretty arrangement.



The fountain in Soller's central plaza

A beach in one of Mallorca's many inlets

The Port of Soller

Diamond Jubilee Royal Pageant - All Boats on River Thames!

Gloriana, among the man-powered vessels leading the Royal Pageant

HRH Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, aboard Spirit of Chartwell

Sea Cadets Flying Commonwealth Flags





God Save The Queen
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.

Man-powered vessels leading the way

Gun Salute From the Banks of the Thames

Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter thine enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.

View of Palace at Westminster and London Eye

Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.
From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!
Lord grant that Marshall Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen!

We heard this anthem sung many times over the last four days, and it never seemed to grow old.  It has taken on increased meaning, as we watched the many and varied expressions of love and respect exhibited by the British people for their Queen.  It is also equally clear that the Queen has a deep and abiding love for her homeland, which is why she has devoted her life to its service.
Other countries could certainly take a few lessons from our hosts in the areas of class, respect, dedication and endurance.  We consider ourselves very lucky to have been here for such a wonderful celebration.

Colorful man-powered vessels

One of the many fire boats in the Royal Pageant

Diamond Jubilee Weekend!

It's finally here, the weekend that the entire United Kingdom has been anticipating with food preparation, grandstand erection, bunting draping and parade practices for the last few weeks.  It all comes to a head, beginning tomorrow, and everyone's preparing for a four day weekend of revelry!

Our room overlooks the Thames, so we've had the pleasure of watching the various boats making their way up river to Battersea, where the flotilla will begin its trip to Blackfriars.  Flotilla is the right word, I believe, as it's estimated that as many as 1,000 boats of various shapes and sizes will escort the royal barge on Sunday afternoon. 
When I was visiting Richmond-on-Thames on Wednesday of this week, I had the lucky chance to see the Queen's boat, as it was undergoing final preparations.  Here is a photo - you now have the inside scoop:

Queen Elizabeth's Party Boat

Okay, okay, no, this is not the boat.  It was near another that was being prepared for the pageant, though.  And what a beauty it was to behold! 

Gloriana is white with maroon and blue accents, and trimmed throughout in bright gold.  There is a crowned British Lion Rampant at one end, and the plaques with the Royal motto, "Dieu et Mon Droit" and the Order of the Garter motto "Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense" were waiting to be reattached, in anticipation of Gloriana's important role as leader of the pageant.

Royal Plaque with Motto

Plaque and Banner, bearing royal and chivalric mottos

The Gloriana, under preparation in Richmond-on-Thames

 Today, there were some ships that will take part in the flotilla, making their way to the west end of the Thames.  This will be a fascinating spectacle, one which the world has never seen:  ships from all periods of English history, civilian as well as military, will take part, and official participants will mix with pleasure boaters.  We've seen barges that normally occupy slips along the Regent's Canal making their way, ships like those that sailed to America when it was called the New World, Royal Navy vessels - the list goes on.

Another ship, heading towards Battersea

What appears to be a 16th Century Ship, heading to Battersea

We plan to attend to watch flotilla from Milennium Bridge.  Hopefully, arriving four hours in advance will secure us a view.  Stay tuned!