View of the Brecon Beacons when we were on our way to Hay this week.
Well, this afternoon Keith and I watched as the Royal Family laid to rest HRH Prince Philip. I don't mind saying that I had tears in my eyes, as I am an emotional sort of person and because the Queen coped with this alone - there may have been her family with her, all Socially Distanced of course, but she had to sit alone and keep her chin up and try not to cry in public when her husband of 73 years, her one true love, was laid to rest. I think that would be a big ask for any of us. I felt it was a very moving ceremony and wonderfully planned by Prince Philip and choreographed today. I have just noticed on my newsfeed a little clip of Princes Harry and William, talking with Kate as they left the church. I am glad that on this day at least, they have set their differences aside. I am unashamedly a Royalist and always had a lot of admiration for Philip, the Rock behind the throne, although he had to always be in the Queen's shadow. He may have been privileged, but used that position to do a lot of good in his life.
Aside of that, I have had to rest up today, with a good book, the new Barbara Erskine novel The Dream Weavers, set not far from us here along Offa's Dyke and in Hereford. I can recommend it.
Late yesterday afternoon I suddenly began to feel very ill - sick and dizzy with ringing ears and my head began to whirl like I had drunk two bottles of wine. I had to be helped to bed and only felt OK as long as I was laid flat in bed. I am guessing it was a viral Labrynthitis and fortunately it was short-lived. (The treatment is a particular antihistamine and I take one each morning. I managed to stagger to the loo in the night without the whirling head returning and although I've had no appetite today, I have just managed to cook Red Rice for tea and eat a portion. Tam complained of feeling nauseous and dizzy last week, but put it down to side effects from her jab. Perhaps it was something she picked up at the Vaccination Hub as they make you remove your mask and wear a new surgical mask - no good for either of us as they fall off our faces - we have small ears and the wrong size face for them.
After the funeral, Keith and I sat out on the swinging seat - I with my new book and he just enjoying the sunshine. Then he did a little work to prepare some old oak for a repair to something we bought locally yesterday, but more of that tomorrow. Here is a little teasing photo . . .
Watched the funeral this morning (in US). Since I grew up in the UK, the Royal family has always been part of my background...lived near a road between Windsor and and Buckingham Palace. I used to see them drive by our street quite a bit when I was young. Anne and I are the same age. Even lost my first tooth on The Mall during a Trooping of the Color. Must admit, I got a tear in my eye seeing his driving cap on the carriage, his naval cap on the coffin, the Naval folks piping him upon arrival at church, the sound of Last Call and the Eternal Father hymn--one I know well. Used to date a midshipman at the US Naval Academy and that hymn was often sung by the midshipman in the Academy church chapel on Sundays. A very moving sound to hear when hundreds of young men in naval uniform (no women back then) would sing it. Glad the TV cameras did not focus on the Queen too much during the service--gave her some privacy. The passing of an era.
ReplyDeleteMary - it was beautifully done wasn't it? I was glad that the cameras kept off the Queen too - I'd have been crying my eyes out if it was me but she had to be stoical and stiff upper lip, bless her.
ReplyDeleteThe passing of an era indeed.
It is especially sad because we see the Old Guard passing away before our eyes...so few left...
ReplyDeleteIndeed. He always had my respect, as a horseman and the strength behind the throne. Loved his non-PC comments too!
DeleteI watched the funeral here in Canada as well. My heart bled for the Queen as she sat there alone with out her rock.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It was heart-rending wasn't it Jackie? Charles and Anne were never more than a blink away from tears either. I noticed her swallowing hard when they did a close-up at one point.
DeleteIt was painfully sad to watch the funeral yesterday. I've seen an image of Charles with a tear running down his cheek. Her Majesty is Queen, but Philip was her rock. She will continue, but our monarchy is forever changed. Hope you are feeling better now?
ReplyDeleteCharles looked wrung out with grief too. I read in the paper today that he has gone to Llwynwormwood near Llandovery, his small Welsh bolthole, to mourn away from the hurly-burly of the real world. I feel he will gradually be taking over from the Queen now.
DeleteThought I was completely better - had a glass of wine last night, and then bad again this morning - dizzy. I've upped my fluids and done some gardening and hopefully can sleep it off tonight.
Oh my..... dizziness as you had is the worst. I'm glad it was short-lived! Yes, the Queen is a strong & stoic person. I suppose she's had to be from a very early age. What a woman! I admire her so much!! As idiotic as ALL OUR PRESIDENTS have been, here in the USA, I wish we were governed by a Queen like her! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI agree Andrea, the Queen was very brave and stoical at the funeral and I think that much of the world admires her.
DeleteThe dizziness was ghastly. I was awake a couple of hours in the night, and had fallen into a very deep sleep (didn't even hear the doorbell which sounds upstairs near our bedroom door) and then found out from Keith it was Sky come to fit our Sky box etc. so it was up and running, never ideal. Hoping I have seen the last of it now.