Worcester before the Queen arrived and after!

Went for a walk to see what Worcester was all about today. Didn't get very far, though, because the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh was visiting the Faithfull City and officially opening The Hive, the county's new £60million library and history center .There were plenty of police, helicopters and soldiers about. We hadnt a hope in hell getting anywhere near the barriers so instead we had a walk down the river vowing to watch the visit on Midlands Today, tonight. Some of the Cotswold cruising club ladies went to try there luck armed with a huge flag and a Cotswold burgee. They returned full of tales of seeing her majesty and got some cracking photos. You never know we might see them on the news. I did manage earlier to get a picture of the Guildhall where she will sit down to lunch.

Guildhall

 

One of the magnificent chandeliers in the Guildhall.

Bunting up and streets looking very clean

Diglis locks

Looking up river

Looking down stream

 Worcester was the last city to do battle during the civil war, hence the Pikestaff and Helmets.

Then we returned to the boat for lunch and listened to the Cathedral bells peeling away. We guessed the Queen had left the city so armed with camera I thought I would take a few photos of the clean up. Imagine my surprise when we got to the centre only to find she was still doing a walkabout. The crowds were mind blowing and as I stated earlier we had no hope of getting near the front. With the camera held high I did capture a few pictures of the royal car and a very quick glimpse of her hat!!!

The Hive

You can just see her hat and part of the Duke.

Any vantage point was taken

The Royal pendent. The only thing I could get near enough to photograph at the Cathedral

1940's street party

Lovely gilding on the gates at the Guildhall.

The start of the clean up.

Worcester Cathedral

I should just mention last nights hilarity. I don't think we stopped laughing from the time we got to the pub last night to the time we went home at 11pm. The main topic of conversation was the various ailments, the cures tried and hospital visits we all had had to endure as well as the usual boaty tales. Maureen and Terry then invited us back to Motex for coffee and cake. A great night was had by all, great company and with a good guest beer it made for a memorable evening.

Maureen and Terry