The Diamond Jubilee

  Above  this is a work in progress though nearing completion and was inspired by the flags and festive bunting on boats in St Katherine's dock.      size approx 9in square. medium watercolour

Just over a week ago the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was being celebrated here in the UK.
Queen Elizabeth 11 like her forbear Queen Victoria celebrates 60 years on the Throne, both the longest reigning monarchs in the history of the UK.
I wanted to see the river pageant that took place on Sunday 3rd June. I was invited to apply to the BBC to be one of the artists painting the scene from the Millennium Bridge that crosses the Thames between the Tate Modern  and St Paul's. I was tempted to apply but in the end I didn't. I also had an invitation to travel up with a veteran watcher of royal events. When I saw the weather forecast and worked out I would have to get up at 5.30am to get the same train as her I reluctantly decided to put my feet up and watch this  piece of history unfolding in all it's colourful splendour on TV.

There are some highlights here and a slide show of the paintings that were done by the artists on tne day in spite of the wind and rain. Click here

I did however travel up on the Friday to see some of the boats assembling for the Avenue of Sail downstream of Tower Bridge and in St Katherine's dock.

I then read this post on Making a Mark and it inspired me to take part. I've worked on it over several days. Paint has gone on and come off and umpteen adjustments made and there are still things to do so it wasn't finished in time for the challenge. It did make me get down to work and although I wasn't there on the actual day, for me it does focus some of my memories and feelings about the river pageant.
Later in the evening I was sent this photo of the avenue of sail with Tower Bridge.