Travel Update

Karyn writes:

I decided only to post some updates as I had so many of you saying you would be checking for all my UK news!

As you know - and sometimes I forget - it's literally a "long haul" in every sense of the word to travel to London.  You arrive in Singapore and think "maybe that's far enough" - just sorry my time didn't allow me to stop by and see Mark and our racing team there this time!

After a three hour stopover it was 13 hours on to London and arrival at about 5.55am to pouring rain, fog and mist!  I thought it was Spring heading into summer!

Of course our daughter Lydia is London-based these days and she knew I was travelling over - but I decided to surprise her and actually arrive four days earlier than she thought.  What a mission that was - pulling together a "co-conspiracy crew" to pull this off was a real task of strategic planning.  Everyone was in on the act - from her boyfriend to her boss, from all our family and our friends.

How the cat didn't get out of the proverbial bag I am unsure!  You see, as a family we are all in constant touch via texts every day and in fact we have a family group and of course I needed to be off line for long periods of time when I was flying.  With the aid of Julia-Rose and David we were fairly crafty - including posting old pics of the dogs and making out I was home with them and getting ready to leave!

The good news was when I arrived at Battersea Dogs' and Cat's Home on Tuesday afternoon (with a "thank you" afternoon tea of cupcakes for all her colleagues who were also by this time wised up by Lydia's boss) - she was shocked - that's an understatement!

It was a very special moment and then later we headed out for dinner last night and had a fabulous time. Today has been a catch up day and tomorrow we are heading to the theatre.

Of course on Saturday we have a date at Windsor Castle and are very excited.  After the dinner at the Castle, we are very privileged to then be seated in the Royal Enclosure as there will be a major celebration event - being a huge admirer of the Queen, I have to say, I am very excited (and feel very humble to be included) with plenty to look forward to - this is the latest information:

Her Majesty's 90th Birthday Party will be a celebration of The Queen's life, her love of horses, her dedication to the Commonwealth and international affairs and her deep involvement with the Navy, Army and ­­­­Air Force.

Over 90 minutes, 900 horses and more than 1,500 participants from around the United Kingdom and the World will create a joyful event for The Queen. The 90-year journey will take us from the excitement of the birth, through to World War Two, her marriage, the coronation and a reign of more than 60 years. The Celebration will use horses, actors, bands and dancers to tell the story.

The celebration will be created by the team that organised the successful Diamond Jubilee Pageant in Windsor in 2012. This time, technology will play an important part in the celebration. The 90-minute experience will be a fusion of the latest video projection, LED effects and theatrical lighting. The finale will be a kaleidoscope of memories and achievements.

It will be a Birthday Party fit for The Queen.

I will be in touch with an update afterwards!  It is fantastic to see the team continuing to win races and hit win no.86 yesterday with Latin Rose, her third win from eight starts!  Well done everyone!