Flotilla

Yesterday we tried to see the flotilla, in accord with the notion of enjoying Jubilation.  So we caught the bus up to Tower Bridge, only to find the river securely blocked by stewards and security guards.

Lots of people wandering around getting nowhere near the Thames.

A group of Republic protestors who had an agreed area to rally in (the 'scoop' by City Hall), also couldn't get in. We met and chatted to them - they were very pleasant, and filmed by the press. 

According to today's papers, some Republic people in the scoop, who had managed to get in earlier in the day, had their placards taken away by private security staff.  So much for democracy.

When asked, most of the burly men on the gates were pleasant and apologetic, and agreed it was a cockup, but wouldn't let anyone past.

Peter Tatchell turned up in red jeans, had a quick discussion with a a police steward and cycled off again. Altogether rather sad, low-key and unattractive event from the outside.

People wandered down to Rotherhithe to see the river, and the boats once the 'dignitaries' had left them, or turned around in the hope of a spot further upstream.

Families sat on steps against hotels and warehouses to eat their sandwiches, wearing rather folorn-looking Union flags.

I'm sure all those people inside the barriers and behind the screens enyoyed the spectacle. But we hadn't expect the flotilla to be a tickets-only event....