ER II

 

I awoke on Sunday morning, sat down with my breakfast and watched the Queen's coffin leaving Balmoral. It was going through Aberdeen which is just down the road. I felt I should have been there but I couldn't work out where I could go, where I could park or stand. The roads were already closed in preparation and I had missed my opportunity. I'm not sure why but I had a massive desire to see her before it was too late. I called Ellie to see if she was working Monday, she wasn't, and she agreed to come to Edinburgh with me. Half an hour later she rang back to say she'd found accommodation at the Haymarket should we go today (still Sunday)? Oh yes we should!

We arrived in Edinburgh about 5pm and wandered over to the Royal Mile. Lots of people, lots of barriers and lots of police. It was only at this point did we realise that the Queen's coffin wasn't accepting visitors at St. Giles until 5pm Monday night. We knew there'd be mad queues first, so we needed a new plan. We went for supper and decided to find a hotel for the Monday night too. 

Monday morning we learnt that she was going up the Royal Mile about 2.30pm with her children walking behind. Yes, this was what we wanted to see. We had a substantial brunch and headed to the Mile. Oh my, the amount of folk! We found a spot, second row behind the barrier. Could see clearly between two ladies heads. It was 10:45am. So we stood, and stood, and stood a little more. The sun was warm and it didn't rain. Over four hours later we saw what we came for and I was so delighted to pay my respects. It was exciting being a part of history. 

When we turned around the layers of mourners was easily 15 deep behind us! It was a good thing I hadn't looked sooner, I would have panicked. Eventually we were freed from our spot. My legs didn't belong to me at all. I could hardly walk. We walked past the middle of the queue of people waiting to see her in the cathedral. I would have liked to have done it but it was only 3pm. Over 2 hours standing before the doors we're expected to be opened. Then the time for the queue to go down. My body just couldn't fathom another long stand. Sad but true.

We arrived at hotel number 2 at 5pm. So we could have driven home but it was paid for and it was a very nice hotel. We had a bottle of wine and a picnic in our room. We watched St Giles on TV. Then we slept soundly, got up very early and drove home! 

I am so very glad we experienced what we did. We saw the new King and all the others and we said our goodbyes to Elizabeth.

Rest in Peace.