So while I did my shopping, two tourists asked me how to go to the Lion's mound.
Others were waiting at the bus station and asked me in which direction they had to go and which stop to take to get out of the bus and walk to the Lion.
2. Before the whole show started, I went to the Hougomont farm to take some pictures. I was all alone because officially the site was closed to prepare it for the VIP's visitors from all over the world. My green jacket was my passport !
The farm looked really nice now. No comparison to the ruin it had been 2 years ago.
3.
I also took pictures of the stands where Charles and Camilla and other VIP's would sit. I only hoped that the ladies didn't wear high heels. (More about "Behind the scenes here)
4. The next day I saw them all on TV
There was a long reportage about the ceremonies
This collage shows the most important moments. Charles and Camilla together with the last Duke of Wellington. The presentation of the figurants, revealing of two new statues and a handshake between the descendants of the army leaders. The actual Duke of Wellington, Prince Charles Bonaparte (Napoleon) and the German Prince Blücher a sign of peace between the countries.
5. After my painting class, I quickly drove over to the Lion. Today is the big day with the official inauguration of the new Lion site. On my way I noticed that suddenly lots of restaurants and cafés served "English Breakfast" which I had never seen before !
The way to the Lion was closed, Soldiers arrived along the street, others had breakfast, from far I could see the campers, and police on horses arrived. I couldn't go further, because ....
at the same time on the other side of the hill arrived the Royals for the official ceremony under the Lion. The Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, Queen Mathilde and King Philip, Queen Maxima and King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands.
Even with my green jacket, as I was not great great great etc grandchild of Napoleon or Wellington, I had to return home.
more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.
Tourists will be so grateful they can spot you in the crowd. Your linguistic skills will be needed more than ever with the number of visitors to Waterloo this Summer.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Exciting times-Royalty and men in uniforms. I've been watching TV hoping to see more of both,not much on yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely time you had getting to visit these special places! Very exciting to see all the royalty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing you had this week..both by yourself in getting in to where it was closed to the public (that green jacket is a wonderful passport), as well as seeing the royalty from afar.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your pictures!
I love that last photo of the royals. It looks like they are going on a day-trip to the beach. Well, apart from their outfits and the red carpet and such of course!
ReplyDeleteThe celebrations are in full swing! That green coat is turning out to be a good thing! Too bad it didn't get you a full meeting with all that royalty but it all looks like lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteExciting days! I'm surprised they didn't let you in to that one ceremony, they might have needed you to translate for the bigwigs! A good idea to wear your jacket when you're out and about; I am sure the tourists appreciate it very much, I know I would.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of fun! How handy to have green-jacket access to some of the venues.
ReplyDeleteLots of excitement in your town at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou are the queen of the guides ! I'm sure you save so many people helping them to find the way to the Lion ! So you are with the royals ! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a marvelous time during the fest !
Ehhh, our "Prince Willem Alexander" is a King for quite some time now...... But the photos are great, so nice you can follow the festvities so close as an insider.
ReplyDelete