Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival

Today, delighted to be with Buddies on a Budget in London - rarely do I get the chance - for the Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival, at the Guildhall! For once, I got to bed at a decent time last night - so got up at a decent time - so actually had breakfast before heading out. Truly unusual for me. Arrived early though, even with the bus terminating early - the road was closed off (for the subsequent parade, I guess). Our meeting point was Black Sheep Coffee - but they don't have inside seating, and despite a weather forecast that predicted temperatures of up to 20 degrees, it was chilly - there was a breeze, apart from anything else.

So I took myself to the nearby Caffe Nero, and had a luxury hot chocolate. Which apparently always comes in a medium mug, rather than the large she gave me - but by the time she realised her mistake, she'd poured it. So that was ok. Even if they were out of cream. The organiser found me as I was nearly finished - so when I had, I joined her and the others outside. We waited a bit for any more comers, and set off to the Guildhall.

The main action took place in an area to the left of the entrance - findable by the large crowd around it. A "charity organ" at the top didn't seem to be playing anything - but much of the activity centred on the gorgeous, enormous Bernese mountain dogs, over the other side: complete with little carts, decorated with Swiss flags, to pull, and humans in Swiss costume..

Aww, they were the friendliest beings! Adored the attention - only problem was, they were so huge, if they got over-enthusiastic, you were in grave danger of being knocked over - or sat on. I did see someone being sat on. Mind you, the baby of the group (16 months) found it all a bit much, and fell asleep:

Funny thing was, lots of other people had brought their (smaller) dogs too, who were all terribly excited about the enormous dogs over the side! All a bit wonderfully chaotic.. and there was a Punch & Judy man:

Meantime, in the actual humans' parade ring, they were maypole dancing. Even though May is long over - both Pearly Kings and Queens, and council members:

There was Morris dancing - during which time, to be frank, I paid more attention to the dogs - and a marching band as a prelude to the parade down to St. Mary-le-Bow Church:

This is the church of the famous Bow Bells - within the sound of which you must be born to be considered a Cockney. And the band played while they all filed in for the church service:

Let's not forget the Pearly Dogs:

And so, for some of us, back to Caffe Nero - where the chat was good, and for variety, I had a slice of chocolate fudge cake. Not as good as the hot chocolate, actually. We had some entertainment watching people try to get into the toilet - if you don't specifically leave it on the latch, it locks itself when it closes, and staff have to open it for the next person! And with Mandy talking about the Hallowe'en walk she's planning, I made her jealous talking about my cape - she's been trying to source one just like it! Well yes, it is the business..

Afterwards, a few went on a reccie for that walk, and I went in search of food - remembered there was a Cote nearby, and made for that. She initially tried to put me near the door, but I couldn't stand the draught - so she found me a table inside. Where I had their gorgeous calamari, a scrumptious steak frites, and a couple of glasses of their excellent Chardonnay. Because she asked whether I'd like another. ;-) I skipped dessert - I'd had that already.. and got the bus home from right outside. V successful day!

And tomorrow, I'm with London Baroque Music Lovers for a chamber music concert at Wigmore Hall.