the aftermath

the only pic from the necessary visit to buckingham palace for "the changing of the guards."



the tube drops us at the green which lies to the left of the palace. joe chases pigeons down the footpath. chris thinks it will be fun for joe and tally to race. he sets them off with a "faster, faster!" joe cuts over into tally's path, she skids face-first along the stones. massive amounts of blood, ripped lip, but teeth intact.



we still proceed to the palace -- joe really wants to see "those soldiers."



turns out the official ceremony cancels with rain, so i find it hard to believe that anyone really gets to witness the official ceremony. but we see a better show, anyway. the metropolitan police shout repeatedly at onlookers to "keep back!" and march them back across the street when they ignore the traffic signals. one brit is having none of that sort of authority and pushes the bobby. a shouting match ensues. we collectively hold our breaths, riveted, waiting for the disorderly to be thrown to the ground and cuffed. but nothing comes of it. the horses and guards come, we marvel at their shiny swords and tall hats, and then it's over. joe is duly impressed.



we purchase the children the requisite police/black taxi/double-decker bus sets from a souvenir kiosk. at home they replay the events of the day with them on the floor of joe's room. as i scrub the blood out of tally's coat and fret about whether i not i should take her to the urgent care for her swollen face, i hear their shouts of "get back! who do you think you are? i'll cross when i want! umph! umph!" their take-away from our day.