Saturday, June 16, 2012

Beating Retreat


The pomp and circumstance continues, my friends, with the annual Beating Retreat held at the Horse Guards Paradent this past week. It has its origins in early chivalry when beating the retreat sounded the halt to the day's fighting.



Today it's an amazing pageant of over 300 musicians, drummers and pipers showing great precision



and flair as they carry out the Ceremony.



The pipers from the Irish guards and the London Regiment



were some of my favorites.



The War Horse from the musical of the same name



trotted into the arena, amazing us as before with its semblance of reality.



Special guests this year were the Royal Cavalry of Oman.



It was founded in 1974 by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bi Said



to revive the country's equestrian tradition. The pipers played



and the Omani horsemen



and women riders



added a new element of color



to the spectacle. 



The finale of Tchailowsky's 1812 Overture was highlighted by the shooting of cannons



and the gun salute by the Moscow Militia,



all ending with a crescendo of fireworks to cap off another night of pageantry.

9 comments:

  1. Wow!!! That must have been spectacular!!!! Grea pictures. So much to do and see here. I do love it.

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  2. I think you have the perfect life! What an amazing tradition. And, I love your take on all of it. Keep it up.

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  3. London really is spectacular at the moment, and still the Olympics to come.
    All of your photos are wonderful, but the last one of the fireworks really catches my eye.

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  4. The Omani Cavalry were so colourful. It was the Trooping of the Colour in London yesterday, another great spectacle and lots if people lined the Mall. A lot more than usual, Jubilee fever is still going.

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  5. Wow, that looks like an amazing experience! I am definitely green with envy that you are experiencing all that London has to offer (especially this year!) as our plans have changed and we won't be coming there this summer (except to the airport. Loving all of your wonderful coverage though.

    That first photo makes me smile, as we wandered thru there on our first trip and the whole day was magical!

    Have a fabulous week, Debi! xxoo

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  6. What a way to spend the day. I am repeating myself but I love all your adventures.
    You lead the most exciting life.
    So glad we met so I can live through yours.
    Love ya
    Maggie

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  7. What a show, it seems everything is happening in london these days !

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