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Writer's pictureAnnemarie Rawson

MARVELLOUS MAGICAL MEMORIES - of London Life


Hello from my little country corner here in New Zealand. I hope life is good with you wherever you are.


With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, London sights are constantly flashing across our TV and national radio is constantly 'crossing over' to a live correspondent, somewhere in the midst of thousands of people, capturing their memories in picture and in sound bites. The sadness is there but I'm loving all the pomp and ceremony that accompanies the death of a Monarch, as well as welcoming a new one. I'll never see it again in my life time.


Witnessing it live would be an incredible experience, and I'd have so loved to have been there during this time but can only look back on photos to recapture some of what we saw.


The day I was at Hyde Park corner and saw the Queen's Calvary stopping traffic, was indeed memorable. You have to have the sound up to hear the clip clop, as they passed by.


Five weeks ago we were in London and all the places being shown and talked about

were part of our life - touring for two months, and while we lived there. So the mourning coverage is bringing back marvellous memories.

Corin Dann, a New Zealand radio presenter is there and this morning described the "buzz and vibrancy" of the crowds (and London in general), lining up to pay their respects at Westminster. No disrespect was meant. There was a solemnity

too. Corin hasn't left NZ since before Covid and was struggling with the sheer number of people gathering and not wearing masks. Here, in NZ, we have only recently stopped a requirement for masks to be worn in supermarkets, restaurants, shops - except in hospitals, aged care facilities, those sorts of places. So it would have come as a shock to him, and a little unnerving.


While there, we too noticed 99% of people didn't bother with masks or talked about Covid. For us, the sense of freedom was exhilarating and the 'getting on with life' post-vaccination, fascinating.

Manor Park, Teddington with a view of the weir
Me and the three Stephens (yes, crazy I know!) at our favourite spot next to Teddington Lock. Our flat was to the right of the ones you can see.

Queen Elizabeth's passing reminded me of our invitation to the 2020 Royal Garden Party. I'd entered the ballot through the New Zealand High Commission and we got lucky. You'll know of course, that none of that happened and the invitation was rolled over to 2021; that never happened either! I was so disappointed and had even bought my dress. It's still hanging in the wardrobe and never been worn ... sigh. First world problems and all that.


I know it's not for everyone, but I'll be glued to the TV Monday night (10pm New Zealand time), watching it all unfold. Will you?





Oxford Street, just after the Jubilee.

Out and about in London Bridge. Love the colours and flowers
fabulous pub
On the Thames Path, looking across at the White Swan, Twickenham

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mdimont2010
Sep 18, 2022

I was thinking about your beautiful photos! We have been watching the news every day. The Queen was amazing. The respect and love of all the people is wonderful. I enjoy hearing how she influenced their lives.

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Annemarie Rawson
Annemarie Rawson
Sep 18, 2022
Replying to

Hi Maureen

isn't it lovely? I love all that respect too. Dying was inevitable of course, but it was her life and how she lived it, people are wanting to thank her for.


I hope life is good for you.

Best

Annemarie

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kathymarsh
Sep 18, 2022

Yes, Annemarie, we’ll also be glued to the TV tomorrow morning, and as you quite rightly say, we’ll never experience anything like this again in our lifetime. I was too young to remember our wonderful late Queen’s coronation, but do remember several state funerals, although none of them as moving as tomorrow’s will be. Pomp and ceremony on occasions such as this, whether they be sad or happy, is something the British excel at, and when I watch these events, it does make me feel proud to be British!

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Annemarie Rawson
Annemarie Rawson
Sep 18, 2022
Replying to

I think that's what so many of us in other countries are really enjoying. The pomp and ceremony. It's just not done on this scale in any other country. Be proud, Kathy. I would be too. Secretly, I think I am a little British and a little French!! 😂

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