Thursday 21st April

Got on the bus with our new Oyster Card & headed for the Strand & Covent Garden to purchase street maps for our road trip when we return from Europe. Took a stroll in the local market to find Regent Street - passed Zimbabwe House & took a picture - ho ho ho!! Phoned Didy Grahame, Secretary of the VC/Gc Association & agreed to meet. Found our way to Royal Horse Guards building where she works and had a quick tour of the place - steeped in history. We were introduced to a fellow who is putting together a book on the VC's and would you believe he was actually working on Dad whilst we were there!!! Passed some visiting English soldiers, just in from active service in Afganistan - they had a tan -went out for a cup of tea & chat with Didy. Left Didy & headed for Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, along with many thousands of others. Westminster Abbey is closed due to Easter & preparations for THE WEDDING next week. Preparations everywhere, crowd barriers being erected and TV access/commentator points along the wedding route. Pity we will miss the wedding excitement. All shops full of memoribilia. Crowds growing & again sadly it is a case of spot the pom. Made contact with David Hoar & hope to see him over the weekend.