The weather was cold but no snow in the centre of London, so it did not detract from a great day, with something to suit everyone. Those who went to the Household cavalry, were treated to a very good guide who described the 350 years of the fascinating history of the Cavalry – we saw changing of the Guards on Horseguards Parade and went into the Stables afterwards to see the horses being unsaddled, bridles removed , and the very young Guardsmen. We learnt the tricks of the trade – smallest guardsmen have the tallest horses, so when you look along the line of guards, all the helmet plumes are at the same height. And the derivation of sayings such as ’reading the riot act’.
In the afternoon, at the National Portrait Gallery, on the interactive system, I found out that you can loan some of the paintings out – but you have to pay the transport and insurance costs, and there has to be a potential benefit to the National Portrait Galley . But they won’t loan to individuals, so I thought they might loan some paintings out to Probus, to hang in the baronial hall at lunches, but then realised Probus probably couldn’t even raise the cost of the insurance. Those who went to other Museums. reported being engrossed in the material available.
And an added bonus -Robert Winslades new coach was very comfortable and provided a smooth journey, both ways despite slow traffic. John Clarke’s organisation was excellent, being on-schedule throughout the day.