Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 55

The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage:

After Alderney, We Spent Some Time in England and France

Some of London’s highlights were a ride on a double-decker bus, Trafalgar Square, St. Martin’s in the Field Church where an organist was practicing when we visited, a little of the British Museum, including the Rosetta Stone, marble frescoes from the Parthenon, Egyptian sculptures, and too many other wonders to see in one day.  Dave still enjoys and wears the “flat-top” 100% wool dark green plaid hat I bought him in London at a Wool Shop across from the British Museum, and   Ellen bought a wool sweater for her fiance.

On the day we visited Tower Bridge, I remember vividly a special unplanned treat when the Queen Mother passed by in an elaborate parade on the way to her 90^th birthday celebration. The Queen Mother’s 100^th birthday was televised in 2000 so we got to see more very impressive ceremonies. She is still a beautiful lady, in glowing pastels and smiling appearance and elegant spirit.

I’m working on the final proofreading of this book today, and sadly, I’ll add here that the Queen Mother died this week, at 102 years old, and will be taken in a procession to the funeral service on Tuesday, April 9, 2002, and at 5:00 a.m.; it will be televised here on the BBC channel. I’m going to set my alarm and be up for that. This is now 12 years after we saw her in London on the way to her 90^th birthday!  She was elegant and wonderful in her coordinated outfit with an off-the-face hat, sitting in the carriage facing Prince Charles.

Princess Margaret died just a couple months ago, 2002 or late in 2001.  I feel for Queen Elizabeth during a time of deep losses in her family.

To be continued…

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About the Author: RD Blakeslee (1931 – 2024) built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.

Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family