The Lord Mayor's Show and a Nice London Weekend

Oarsmen on their way to march in the parade

The British know how to celebrate, and they have many occasions for doing so.  Take the Lord Mayor's Show this weekend.  It celebrates the first full day of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, which we saw as a huge parade/procession from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice, where he was sworn in.  The procession was 6,500 people strong, with 200 horses, and 150 floats, as well as various conveyances, old and new.  It was a remarkable display of British history and pageantry.

Historically, the Lord Mayor's role dates back to the 12th century, when London came to its leadership role as a city of commerce.  The Lord Mayor, who swore an oath of allegiance to the monarch, is the official representative of the City and the City of London Corporation.  It is largely a ceremonial position, but he acts as business ambassador for the City worldwide, and spends about 3 months per year promoting the City abroad, and does the same nationally, as well.

Are you aware that the City of London is actually quite small?  It is (see the map, below)!  The City of London is actually marked by dragons along its perimeter.  London is actually made up of many boroughs (as is New York City), such as Westminster, Chelsea, Kensington, Greenwich, etc.  The City (with a capital "C") is but part of the Greater London area.  It's also referred to as The Square Mile.

As I mentioned above, the perimeter is marked by dragons, ten in all.  The originals (which are depicted on the City of London coat of arms) were located above the entrance to the Coal Exchange on Lower Thames Street; however, they were moved when this building was demolished in 1963 to Victoria Embankment.  The remaining eight others were made as copies of the two originals, and are located at various "gates" around the City of London's perimeter.  Here is my photo of one, located near the Royal Courts of Justice (background):


Dragon by the Royal Courts of Justice

Of course, we were really there to see the parade, and it was a spectacle in every imaginable way.  There were floats representing all businesses and civic groups that operate within The City, as well as representatives of the various historical guilds.  The variety of what we saw was astounding.  It's probably best just to show you a bit:

A Right Jolly Green Giant



Bank Representatives Having Fun



Wind Energy Promoters' Float

A Slab of English Beef

Guild Flags



One of the Many Marching Bands



Armed Forces Representatives



Various "Antiques" Were Welcome Sights



A team of horses and riders

The cream of the crop:  The Horseguards

Fantastic Costumes

A Young Spectator Enjoying a Fall Day





Missing Park City in Autumn

Autumn is a great time to be in Park City, Utah.  This is a fact.  Unless there is a lot of storm activity that blows the newly-changed leaves from the trees, leaving them to molder in a soggy mess along the slopes and yards across the mountains and hillsides, this small town turns into a golden paradise when autumns cool breezes arrive.
Just look at what I saw during autumn in Park City:

       

Romesco Cauliflower

Russet Apples

Harlequin Squash

Iron Mountain, Park City, Utah, USA

In London, the autumn colors are out there, but you must get out to see them in the parks, along tree-lined streets or outside the city.  There are many golden oaks and sycamores, a few maples and chestnuts galore.  

 

The colors of autumn are evidenced in the seasonal foods on offer, as well:  take a look at these, some of which are new to me.



English Conference Pears

Hey, wait:  whether you have tree-filled mountains or not, you have the colors of the season.  You just need to adjust where you look!

 

The Beauty of the Season is Everywhere - Just Open Your Eyes.





Autumn has arrived. Or, Europe at its best!

Planet Earth has adjusted its angle vis-à-vis the sun; we've changed our clocks, so the evenings are dark.  There's a brisk, cool breeze blowing, that brings with it the scent of the crackling, fallen leaves underfoot.  It is autumn in London and throughout Europe, a magical time of year, filled with sights and scents of the harvest:  beers, wines, hearty soups and stews, pies, crisps and orchard fruits.

Rekorderlig Pear Cider



Did you know that the English do not have  apple cider as we Americans know it?  For them, apple cider is 4-8.5% alcohol - a pub drink - not one for the kids as an after school treat.  They do, however, have fresh-pressed apple juice, which Americans would consider cider.  Both are excellent, though the former is tart, rather than sweet.  If you have a chance, try Rekorderlig (a Swedish brand) pear cider, which is delicious (Rekorderlig also make several other varieties, including apple, strawberry lime, mixed berry)!

Autumn is also the time when we begin to think about the autumn and winter holidays.  For Americans, this begins with Halloween and stretches to New Year's Day.  Here in London, Halloween was a bit of a non-event.  Some orange decorations and candies were on display and for sale at the stores, but most are now for sale at half the price for those who waited until Halloween had passed. 

When we visited the British Museum on Halloween Day, there were some children's activities, such as decorated hat construction indoors and pumpkin carving outside.  All was very quiet, with no excitement or loud link to Halloween.  In fact, both processes were very reserved -- quite unlike American kids on such an exciting day!

British Museum

One thing that is fun, no matter what time of year you visit:  motoring on the Thames aboard the Thames Clipper ferry service.  It's just as fast as the Tube, faster than a bus AND you get to see the city from the vantage point of this all-important and historic artery.  If you have an Oyster Card (the discounted metropolitan transit card),  the fare is reduced.  We paid £5.40 per person for a one-way ride from Canary Wharf all the way to Victoria Embankment next to the London Eye.  That was over 4 miles!  The ferries are large catamarans, so anyone who is worried about a rocky ride may rest assured that these boats are very stable, and comfortable, too. 

 

A Thames Clipper next at Westminster/Houses of Parliament

This weekend, the village of Blackheath will celebrate the season with its annual fireworks display.  Beginning at about 5PM with food stalls opening and fun rides for children (from 4PM), and climaxing with the fireworks beginning at 8PM, this event is expected to be attended by approximately 100,000 people!  If you like fireworks and crowds, this will be the place to be tomorrow night (3 November, Blackheath Common, Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath London SE3 0TY)

 

Blackheath Fireworks - This weekend!

 

Happy Autumn to You!