London - Proms in the Park

Went with my sister, her fiance Ken, my cousin Lisal and a few of her friends to a music event called Proms in the Park. Lots of people in an open air concert in Hyde Park in London. We all contributed to a huge picnic dinner. Was a bit chilly as the night went on as a breeze was blowing through the grounds. Our duvet which we brought as ground cover eventually reverted back to its original function. Three bodies huddled under a duvet invited a few amused looks.

One of the highlights was Lionel Richie. Yes, that guy from the 1980s, singing some of his newer songs which I, and I suspect many in the audience, didn't recognise at all. But there were also his hits from about 20 years ago Hello and the evergreen All Night Long, which everybody knew and sang along to. More than a few people have remarked that he still looks the same now as he did 20 years ago apart from being somewhat fairer in complexion. Not that anyone is suggesting that cosmetic surgery has any role at all. Banish the thought.

There were also good performances by various singers and orchestras. It is after all meant to be a celebration of classical music. Didn't feel particularly like that though.

Towards the end it of the concert, it is apparently tradition to play Land of Hope and Glory. The chorus was sung with much enthusiasm by the crowd in a sort of public Karaoke session and involed waving lots of Union Jacks. Any Ormond person will smile at this...

Land of Hope and Glory,
Mother of the Free,
How shall we extol thee,
Who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider
Shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty,
Make thee mightier yet
God, who made thee mighty,
Make thee mightier yet.

We left early to avoid the crowds so missed the probably spetacular fireworks display.

As an aside, I must commend the London public for there being remarkably little litter despite the tens of thousands of people there. There was a fair amount of rubbish but they were generally in the right places ie the bins.