So ignore the blue dots, but appreciate the happy face.
This lady had a wonderful day. I left Cayuga in decent time and thought about stopping at Mom's for a poppy and gloves (more about that later) but I didn't. I drove through some major rain, but the skies had cleared by the time I parked the car at the edge of the Fortino's lot on Dundurn St. I chose to leave my raincoat in the car, but brought my bag with disposable camera, umbrella, baggie with car keys, some cash and nutrition bars. I walked to the castle from there (about eight minutes) with a fella and his eleven year old son. He asked why I came alone and I told him I liked to be on my own to chose my best Royal spots without having to negotiate my choices with someone else. My first choice was front and centre near the press stand in front of the balcony. There were front row spots available at the temporary barricades by the right entrance lane to the castle, so I moved there. I received ribbons from the Dundurn servants who were handing them out from their baskets 0'ribbons. Soon I was joined by a lady of about the same age and stage and we had a good visit. I lamented my poppy-less jacket and she gave me one from a supply she'd brought for anyone who needed one. How kind. And she was a kind, sensitive, CBC loving, Dali Lama admirerer. She'd even lived in Townsend for a time, but found it too country for a girl from Toronto. Her husband still works at OPG Nanticoke, so their compromise was Hamilton. She said Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star columnist, had made her angry with her nasty work about the Royals and Hamilton, so she'd decided to come to show Hamilton hospitality...and for her late mother, with whom she had attended other such events. She'd even joined a Facebook page called "Lemons to Rosie DiManno" -people who were fed up with Rosie's negative views on life. A few minutes later, a loud woman reporter pushed her way in right at my new pal's elbow and yelled across the lane to a dog owner, asking for the dog's take on the event. As the reporter walked away, I told my friend to take a look - wasn't that Rosie DiManno? It was. That seemed like a pretty amazing coincidence.
A few minutes later Charles and Camilla drove by. I followed the crowd to the balcony spot and the tall fella in front of me gave me a description of what was happening. Former Hamilton Mayor Bob Morrow stood close by and laughed with us as an outspoken man in the crowd described Camilla as a "hot chick". The royals met with the "servants" on the front step and went inside. I had a glimpse of a bald head and fluffy blonde hair, but not much more. I did have a clear view of the balcony though and so enjoyed listening to the crowd as we waited. I happened to look behind me at one point and saw Jean McClung, self proclaimed Fair photographer, standing near the top of the steps to the media stage. We talked and later I heard her tell someone she took photos for the Caledonia Sachem - once more, a self proclaimed position! I looked up and saw Rosie DiManno coming toward me. Everything was so lovely and everyone so happy that I decided to ask her this question: "What do you think of Hamilton now?" She had a quick answer, "It still sucks." I called out to the folks around me, "Hey this is Rosie DiManno and she says Hamilton sucks." The person who was most interested in this was the fella in front of me and he wanted his picture taken with the famous Rosie, so his wife obliged. I took the same picture from my angle, so we'll see how that turns out. Then I was thrilled to see Authur Edwards, London Sun photographer of the Royals waiting for Charles and Camilla to appear (more about that later too!). Finally (we may have waited fifteen or twenty minutes. The Royals were touring inside the castle, which was built by Camilla's greatX3 grandfather.) there was some action at one of the long windows out to the balcony. Much to the amusement of the crowd, the security people couldn't get the windows opened. People were saying, "Oh, no. They painted the windows closed!" I couldn't believe that the Dundurn staff hadn't checked and double checked that the windows would open easily...and in a couple of moments, they were opened and then Camilla stepped out, followed by Charles. They spoke to each other, waved to the crowds (I took a picture that seemed to be a good one) and then went back inside.
I made my way to another vantage point. The area around the oak tree that was to be "planted"- really just some earth rearranged around an already planted tree, was crowded so I found a spot across from the parked motorcade, but where I could see C. and C. walking toward the oak. I spotted Arthur Edwards again and told the folks around me that you could tell a real Royal fan when they even recognized the English photographers. Then, in a moment of inspiration (I was very talkative today!) I called out , "Arthur, Arthur!". He looked our way, I waved and he smiled and waved back. Ahhh. Good moment! Charles and Camilla entered the area where the tree was to be "planted". Again, nothing could be seen, except when Charles raised the shovel high and swung it around a bit in celebration of the planting...and to give those of us who could see nothing else, a chance to "see" what was happening.
The cars left the spot where they were parked and drove the short distance to the planting area to pick up the Royals. A group that included kids at the front of the crowd and a woman with a sign proclaiming "I'm Loyal" realized they might not get a chance to be close up and personal with the Royals, so they began to chant - first, "We want the Prince" and then, "We want the Duchess." It worked and C. spoke to C. and they moved down the line of people where I was standing in order to reach the chanters and the children. They were within a foot of where I was standing - pictures again. Charles teased some children about not being in school and stopped when the lady in front of me spoke to him. He didn't catch what she said, she repeated it and then he smiled and nodded, "Oh, you are Korean." After greeting and shaking hands with many, the Royals moved toward their cars and were off for the Haida - a Navy vessel moored in Hamilton harbour. I took a last picture or two and then walked with former mayor Morrow to the exit of the grounds. We chatted, both of us happy for Charles because it seems as if he has a lovely companion for his later years!
I walked back to Fortino's and suddenly the wind picked up and small hail began to fall. It was hard to believe that the sun had been shining on the Royals just moments before. I drove happily toward Caledonia, almost not believing that the morning had gone so well!
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