Page 18 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

16 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Strawberries and cream at The Palace
“Taxi for McNair” called the hall porter, as my husband Clive and I stepped out into the lovely sunshine and into the awaiting cab, asking the London cabbie for Buckingham Palace
The day was Thursday 26th June 2014, and leaving Lancaster Gate, we were soon driving through the outskirts of Mayfair. With its bright flowerbeds and then on passing the magnificent green trees of the Mall as we drove along the red tarmac of the Palace precincts, where our driver stopped at the corner-drop off point. Clambering out of the cab, I grabbed the two sturdy hospital sticks, which my kind GP had especially organised for me (after my cry for help realising that with my poor mobility, that I needed something reliable to lean on!)
It was exciting to pass through the crowds of spectators who were clustered outside the immense and impressive palace gates, with their crests gleaming in the bright sunshine, and suddenly realise we are actually going in. Handing our security passes and driving licences to the Policeman at the gate we were waved through with a smile into the forecourt of the Grand Entrance followed by a number of other guests. However seeing someone wobbling on sticks, a kind lady from “The Not Forgotten Association’’ came straight across to greet us, insisting she would call the Royal buggy for us and, at the same time, giving us two lone plastic chairs to rest on whilst we waited.
We were told that HM Queen Elizabeth does not usually attend this party because HRH the Princess Royal is the Patron of the Association but on this occasion she would be present. Also it is the only day of the year the Queen allows the forecourt of the Palace to become a parking lot, to enable many of the disabled to park cars, coaches and specially adapted vehicles including a large vehicle from the Royal Star and Garter home in Richmond. Remembering the Queen had only recently left Northern Ireland after a three day visit it was with great admiration we heard that this very morning she had received three Ambassadors, (realising at now almost eighty seven, we ourselves felt pretty bushed!)
Close by were several policemen including one kind police lady who enquired if we would like a drink of
water as it was quite a hot day. Soon after, small plastic glasses of cold water were passed to us and one of the policemen at the gate raised his glass to me in salute with the spectators still watching beyond the gates!
Interrupted by the arrival of the buggy- a cream coloured sort of four-seater golf type buggy- we were settled into it as privileged passengers and started the rather stately but exhilarating drive across the front forecourt, weaving through the parked vehicles, eventually turning into the large archway at the end of the esplanade.
Our driver, who was quietly spoken and very helpful, remarked to me that quite recently the Queen had been
sitting in the seat I was occupying - I really did feel privileged. The driver also mentioned that the Queen had employed him for fifteen years. Passing under the archway we were handed a programme of events and as we gently swept around the corner to the right we saw a lovely flowerbed, before completing the considerable drive across the back of the Palace to the far corner, where we alighted.
Two enormous marquees at right angles, distanced themselves across the beautiful parklands surrounded by the magnificent old trees and many tables and chairs were set across the grass, and once settled the afternoon sped by quickly and most interestingly.