The day started with thunder, lightening, rain and possibly the strongest winds this year to date, but that’s just a walk in the park for the weather hardened scouts of the Earley troop and just reminded them of summer camp. As planned, we met at Crayford station at 11:00 and took the train to London and first visited the Bank of England museum, which usually closed at weekends, had opened especially for the show. Alas photography was not allowed at the bank, but it provided welcome shelter from the elements and gave the scouts the chance to not only see what a solid gold ingot looked like, but the rare and possibly only opportunity to lift one and at 24lbs needed some effort. The morning value of the bar (updated twice daily,) was in excess of a staggering £256,000.
After our visit to the bank, the roads had cleared sufficiently for us to find a fantastic vantage point from which to view the return parade and shelter whilst we ate our packed lunch. We soon heard the procession returning and we watched the many floats, bands, acrobats and vehicles, who despite the weather were all in excellent spirits – from cheerleaders to armed Marines and pork farmers many of whom “Hi-Fived” our scouts as they watched and cheered them from the kirb-side.
After the Lord Mayors coach had passed the parade concluded and we walked round St Paul’s Churchyard, stopping only for a photo opportunity to see if we could pack all the scouts in a phone box, which we did,) and for a very welcome and warming hot chocolate. We then proceeded across the still wobbly Millennium bridge to the Tate Modern gallery to take in yet more art and culture.
Alas due to the gale force winds, the Thames fireworks, which traditionally end the day’s celebrations, were cancelled for safety reasons. This didn’t really come as a shock as we’d half suspected it would be the case, although harboured hope for a calm and clear evening.
Spirits were however undampened and we’d all dried out sufficiently for the walk back to London Bridge via the Golden Hinde, Clink Street Jail and Southwark Cathedral, which provided points of interest and topics for conversation along the way.
I’d like to thank Keith for all the planning and efforts he made to make our day not only both interesting and fun, but at only £1.00 per scout, fantastic value for money. Well done also to the scouts and honorary members who were very well behaved and represented not only the Earley Troop, but the 5th Dartford Scouts Group most proudly.
