It was another sunny and warm day. Today was Duke's Lane where the Royals get into the carriages for the procession to Ascot. Great way to see the King and Queen and other members of the royal family, up close and personal.
The bus stop is across the street from Oyster Wharf. The bus goes to Clapham Junction - a five-minute ride to the station, where I bought a ticket for Woking. It was a quick trip. My friend, Katrina, was waiting for me.
Katrina had a ticket to park -- so no need to walk up the hill from Ascot or from Windsor -- we arrived with several hours to spare. We met up with her friend Val and Val's husband and settled on a spot to sit and wait. Or take a walk to see the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee statue.
The police told me the walk would take about 20-30 minutes each way, and added I had plenty of time. With my camera in hand, I set out to walk as fast as I could, but also took the time to appreciate where I was.
Took a left turn after the three houses (all with lovely gardens). It was another few minutes walk down its lane when I spotted the statue. I took several photos before walking back down the lane, making a right turn at the three houses, and heading back down Duke's Lane.
One police officer said to me -- well done, with time to spare. It was nice to sit down, and enjoy lunch and a slice of sponge cake that I bought from the Royal School's Bake Sale.
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| Yummy!!! Victoria Sponge cake |
The carriages arrive first and get into place before the cars come from the Castle.
And then the cars arrived.
The procession sets off at 2 p.m. It heads down Duke's Lane toward Ascot and the Racecourse.
It is time to pick up chairs, throw stuff in the trash, and return to the car. Katrina decides to not drive down Duke's Lane but go toward the Castle, exiting by Royal Lodge.
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| This is by the entrance to Royal Lodge, home of the Duke of York |
We drove to Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215. Runnymede is owned by the National Trust. This was my second visit to Runnymede. I first visited in the mid-1980s.
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| these signs were in huts that are a part of a display at Runnymede, emphasizing the the Magna Carta's role in democracy and the freedom of speech. (It's not free speech.) |
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| Me wanting to stretch after a long day |
This exhibit, The Jurors, was created in 2015 by Hew Locke to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
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| Another American connection |
The Kennedy Memorial is owned by the American people on an acre of land at Runnymede.
https://www.kennedytrust.org.uk/display.aspx?id=1870&pid=285
https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2015/05/kennedy-memorial-at-runnymede- dedicated.html
According to the Cornell Law School, "the writers of the Bill of Rights and state constitutions were inspired by concepts born in the Magna Carta: that a government should be constitutional, that the law of the land should apply to everyone, and that certain rights and liberties were so fundamental that their violation was an abuse of governmental authority."
The American Bar Association Memorial is on the site where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215.
https://magnacarta800th.com/magna-carta-today/links/runnymede-magna-carta-memorial/
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| Cute bird, but do not know this bird |
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| Local pigeons enjoying a snack We had dinner at the White Hart pub in Pirbight, Woking. It was not my first time here -- good food -- as Katrina knew I would love to see the duck pond. |
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| Happy Duck |
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| My view when I got back to the AirBnB. |
That cute bird, is a Great Tit
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. But the one of the Victoria Sponge cake was a masterpiece!!
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