An Update from Bark Lake’s Official European Correspondent.
Last week I received another email from Bark Lake’s European Correspondent, Nissa:
Joe,
So I know that it is October, and we haven’t spoken in awhile, but I haven’t forgotten about you. And not only because I just got the Bark Buzz a few minutes ago. I mentioned in my last email that my roommate and I were moving to Sheffield, and it has taken us awhile to settle in. But we are settled now, so I wanted to give you an update.
We are going exploring this weekend – Sheffield is really awesome in that is has lots of natural green space that is easy to get to. So I will take the paddle with me. I cannot guarantee that we will see any interesting wildlife, but we will definitely see something cool. I will even try to get a Yorkshire native to hold the paddle for a sense of authenticity. It appears that since we have moved I have become a magnet for older gentlemen. It is both indescribable and alarming, but there you have it. Every time we leave the house, I get chatted up by at least one man old enough to be my grandfather. The upside? They are exceptionally polite.
I mentioned before as well that I had plans to go to Buckingham Palace and see the changing of the guard. I managed to do that before we moved out of the South. It was not at all what I was expecting! In the summer, and for most of the year, the guards change every other day. So I thought that as long as we showed up about a half-hour before they were supposed to start the change then we would get good places to stand and watch. Completely untrue. Could not have been more wrong. Imagine, if you would, myself (short) and my roommate (even shorter) standing about four people back from the gates that we were to watch the change through. We did not see much. Although, my roommate used her Super Short Powers to sneak up to the front and take some pictures. I used my Super Short Powers to become an arm rest for a giant Eastern European man. So, pretty much the same.
I will give you a run-down nonetheless. For copyright purposes, this information can be found online at: Click Here I would have told you in my own words, but I wanted to get it right.
“Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard.
The Guard which mounts at Buckingham Palace is called The Queen’s Guard and is divided into two Detachments: the Buckingham Palace Detachment (which is responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace), and the St. James’s Palace Detachment, (which guards St. James’s Palace). These guard duties are normally provided by a battalion of the Household Division and occasionally by other infantry battalions or other units.
When Guardsmen are on duty, the soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.”
When we went, it was the Welsh Guards that were changing. I thought that it would have been two different regiments changing, but it must have been two halves of the same regiment. I know which regiment it was because A) I creeped on the bass drum player and he had the regiment’s name painted on the drum and B) They all have slightly different uniforms and like a little fluffy thing on their massive bear skin hats that denote their regiment.
So, it runs down like this: First, the old guards come out. They march around the yard for about 20 minutes, ostensibly checking to make sure there are no intruders. As if. Side note: the regular police here do not carry side arms, but the ones guarding the buildings like the Palace and the Horse Guard Parade and 10 Downing Street etc. carry machine guns. It still trips me out to see them eyeing me with a huge gun in their arms. So, no one is creeping in the yard at the Palace. I think that each half of the regiment have a special flag, and that gets displayed. Then, a marching band comes down the street (not sure where they originate, but they look stunning). Eventually the other half of the regiment marches into the yard, and the officers conference with one another and there is more inspecting of the yard. My favourite part is that halfway through there is a musical performance! What’s not to love? They have been known to play a variety of music, but I was well pleased with what we heard that day. The selection included the Jaws theme song, the Star Wars theme song and a medley of Micheal Jackson songs! After much clapping from the crowd, eventually they break things down and get on with trading places. Once the change has taken place, the marching band leaves, followed by the old guard. Then the new guard match back into the palace and the thousand tourists disperse with alacrity.
I hope they’re playing the Star Wars theme.
Right in front of the Buckingham Palace is a huge statue of Queen Victoria (one of my favourite queens) and across the road is St. James’ Park, where there is a really lovely commemorative monument to Canadians who fought in the World Wars.
Bark Lake visiting Buckingham Palace and Queen Victoria.
I’ve included pictures of the paddle with the palace and Queen Victoria, as well as some of the guards.
Hope everyone had a good summer and that you are enjoying the Fall. England doesn’t really have seasons. Mostly it just rains more often and gets darker earlier. Fun Fact: Sheffield is apparently very foggy – right now, looking out my window, it looks exactly like when you fly a plane through a cloud. Usually I have a beautiful view of Sheffield, but today is better for the imagination. Jealous of all the beautiful foliage you guys are no doubt experiencing!
