I hadn't planned on it, as I had a busy day yesterday, but I took advantage of shuttle buses running between Ballater and Balmoral to go and leave a small bunch of flowers in memory of the Queen. This little Paddington Bear who had been left behind amongst the flowers touched me.
It was the strangest of days. Newspapers were sold out, flowers were sold out. The Ballater residents seem to be going around in a state of shock and everyone I met talked about the Queen. The village was full of press photographers, church bells were ringing, and there was a queue at the local church to sign the condolences book.
It seems the Royal Hearse will pass through Ballater tomorrow on its way to Edinburgh. I won't be here, and I feel sorry about that. I'd have liked to wave her off. But onwards and upwards ...
I thought HRH King Charles III made an excellent address to the Nation yesterday.
I noticed that little bear on BBC Scotland reports yesterday. So nice to see your photo. After her 'special tea party with him at the Palace' it made me smile.
I was thinking about you, being a 'local' in the area. It's lovely that the Queen had such a restful place she loved for her last few months and passed away so peacefully there. 💛
How timely to have been in Ballatar for this very sad but momentous event. What struck me throughout the day yesterday was how hard it is to have such a personal family event be within the public realm. And how genuinely she will be missed. What a remarkable woman she was! Your photo captures both the mourning and the whimsical side of the Queen.
Braemar & Ballater must feel like you’ve lost one of your own Issi….her favourite place in the world & you happen to live there too. Even more upsetting I expect. Some friends from church were just saying tonight that they were staying pretty near so had a ride past Balmoral at the lunchtime, saw a few police & a reporter but had no idea until they got back to their hotel & learnt the Queen had died.
The little Paddington is a beautiful touch.
Looking at the news coverage as I type and seeing this Paddington Bear by the gates of Balmoral. Her coffin has just set off for Ballater and on......tears running down my face. Thinking of you.
Just dropping in because I watched the coffin journey and the helicopter camera really showed your glorious landscape. I need to be in London on Wednesday evening so I’m going to go early and have a walk around and tip my hat.
I was thinking about you, being a 'local' in the area. It's lovely that the Queen had such a restful place she loved for her last few months and passed away so peacefully there. 💛
The little Paddington is a beautiful touch.