Ducklings Update

Well my sister's ducklings are now fully grown ducks and have learned how to fly!  We call them the Super 6.

Lazing by the pond.

Swimming off lead by mum.

Looking for food watched by mum at the back!

My how you have grown!

Toddling off back towards the pond.

Testing out one's flying instruments - ready for the eventual departure!

Blog emails

Just a quick note - the emails sent to followers registering for emails do not seem to be keeping pace with my posts, no idea why but Blogger has done this before.  IF it carries on I will have to see if I can find another way as I know other blogs have suffered similar issues.  So my apologies for this!

A Royal Day Out - Trooping The Colour

My sister wanted to see the Queen so I set about trying to get tickets for Trooping the Colour - seeing as it was a good opportunity to see several royals at one time too.  You have to apply early in the year to the Army for tickets and your name goes in a lucky dip draw.  I was astounded to strike lucky first time!  2 tickets were allocated to us - woohoo!  So we set off to London the day before the event (Saturday 14 June 2014) as you have to be seated by 10am so we could not travel and be there in time on the day.  We were seated quite high up which gave a good view of proceedings and in reality the royals were a long way off, but I have blown up the photos so you can see the royals better.  It is much more interesting to be there in person than watching on TV, because you get to see the whole picture and whilst sometimes the time drags watching it on TV, the time flew by in person!  Thankfully the day was overcast and there was a cool wind so we did not over-heat as we had done the day before in London!  It even rained just after the Queen left the event!  Sadly we missed seeing the fly past as we were caught up in the mayhem of a people jam leaving the event!

The Grenadier Guards were Trooping the Colour for 2014 and here are some pics:-

The day before - we went to suss out the venue!  It was really hot.

Admiralty Arch.

Super flags adorned The Mall.

As well as Admiralty Arch.

On the day we asked this lovely 
Grenadier Guard Sergeant about 
his fabulous row of medals!  He was 
very happy to explain them all to us.

One of the more senior officers 
of the Welsh Guards with 
buzby hat and another impressive
row of medals.

The bands arrived first and played 
some great music!

4 bands attended in total - you can see 2 here.

Then the foot guards arrived.  Quite a sight 
in their bright tunics.

Forming one of the many line ups.

The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrived 
behind us and took up position on the grass 
verges opposite the parade ground.  Later 
they would go off to Hyde Park to perform the 
Gun Salute which is quite a spectacle in itself 
as I reported on in 2012 here.

The Officer in charge do the whole event 
can be seen here on his grey horse.

First royals to arrive were the 
Duchess of Cornwall,  Camilla, 
the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate 
and Prince Harry.

Here you can see a bit closer - sorry the pics 
are not very sharp as I have blown them up 
so they have pixilated a bit.

Next the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, 
Princess Eugenie,
the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward 
and the Duke of York, Andrew.

You can just make them out.

And lastly Princess Alexandra and 
the Duke of Kent (her brother)

Princess Alexandra and 
the Duke of Kent.

A closer look at Prince Harry.

A closer look at Prince Edward 
and Prince Andrew.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arrives 
with the Duke of Edinburgh.

And takes the stand at the top 
of the parade ground.

Her Majesty commences her inspection 
of the Guard alone.

Here looking rather serious.  Apparently she has a very keen eye for detail and can spot anything that is not quite right a mile off!

Here if you can somehow zoom in you will see a 
couple of people taking a selfie just behind the 
Queen's carriage - they had their backs to 
The Queen - I mean come on HM is right in front 
of you, you do not turn your back on her for a selfie 
or anything else!!!  I was truly amazed when I saw 
this photo at some people's bad manners!

Right in front of us we could see The Queen, 
with left to right - Prince Charles, Prince William 
and Princess Anne behind her saluting the 
Household Cavalry Guards who were to the 
left out of shot.

The Queen.

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne 
(dressed like a man LOL!)

The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.

Some more of the proceedings.

The Colour (the red flag on the right) that was 
being trooped passes in front of us - you have 
to stand up when the Colour passes by as a 
mark of respect, and also when the Queen 
and other royals pass, and the Standard.  
It is quite involved and there was a quite a 
bit of standing up/sitting down!

Here the Household Cavalry set off on 
their turn of the Parade Ground

Passing by Her Majesty to salute her.

All back in place after their turn around the ground.

Then Her Majesty and the Duke prepare to leave.

Another Parade for another year over, 
Happy Birthday ma'am!

Wearing De La Mer au Ciel

As promised in my previous post here are some photos of my new scarf to showcase how it looks when worn in different knots and tying styles.  I have used my MaiTai Collection scarf/shawl rings throughout along with a silver band ring from QVC.  Please note my pink jumper has come out rather coral in the photos - no idea why LOL!!!

De La Mer au Ciel

Some of the waves that inspired the purchase.

Simple bias fold and drape

Half Ascot Knot.

Friendship Knot.

3 knot scarf necklace

Bias fold secured with scarf ring.

Half bow made with MT scarf ring.

Slip knot made with MT scarf ring.

Cossack style.

Cossack on a different diagonal.

Cowboy tied with MT scarf ring.

Classic equestrian look with MT ring

Asymetrical Half Ascot tied to the side

Not sure what to call this - the scarf is folded in half to make a rectangle then you pick up diagonally opposite corners, put it round your shoulders and pull to the front and secured with scarf ring.

The same as above just pulled to the side which looks much nicer.

Or pulled to the other side which shows off different parts of the design.

Folded on the square and draped.

Cowboy

Bias fold and drape

Bow made with MT scarf ring.

Bias fold draped and secured with MT scarf ring.

Another bow made using MT scarf ring.

The same bow just pulled tight.

Or pulled out more to make a fuller look.

The scarf on display in the window at Hermes Venice in February - I knew then I'd have to have it but my Causeway trips gave me the excuse LOL!  Hope you enjoyed seeing the scarf in action.