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Published: June 23rd 2008
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Top Hats
Men are not allowed into the Royal Enclosure if they are not in morning suits and sporting a top hat. Great days out always start the night before. The night before Ascot, Zarina, Rich and I went to Regents Park to the Taste of London. This is a festival that started about three years ago. All of the great restaurants in London congregate and sell tapas sized portions of their food. It is a great way to try different kinds of food and drink great wines and champagne without committing to one restaurant. We saw Gary Rhodes; we drank copious amounts of champagne and Argentine wine; we ate until we could barely stand. The best bit? The whole thing closes down at 9.30, so we were tucked up in bed in plenty of time for the next day.
I am a great believer is celebrating one's birthday. I find any excuse to make mine special. This year, I turned 45 (any one that ends in a 5 is special). I was originally meant to spend the day in New Zealand, but I got very ill so had to stay home over Christmas. So, I decided I was due something special. As a result, I decided that I was going to do the English summer season. First thing up? Royal Ascot.
The Hat
One must wear a proper hat if one is attending Ascot. Women are not allowed in the Royal Enclosure without one. The day began at 7.00. To get that dressed up takes time, and I am so not a girl that it takes me that much longer. To make matters even more of a challenge, the day dawned grey and rainy. Keep in mind that we have had lovely weather all week long, I was a tad disappointed. Oh well, it only makes it that much more English.
I met Jeremy and we jumped into the van we had hired. We went down to Victoria Station to pick up the rest of the crew who were coming with us. Phil, Jim and Jonny all worked with me at ZPro, so they came along with their girlfriends. My friend Alex and his girlfriend came along as well, although they were driving.
An hour into the countryside and we had arrived. We were greeted with much esteem as I had sprung for the Royal Enclosure. We were shown to our table in the Panorama Restaurant. What a spot! Six floors up, we had a magnificent view of the entire course. The finish line was almost immediately below us. We could step outside and still be out of the weather. Absolutely
magnificent.
From the moment we arrived at around 10.30, we were fed and watered. The champagne flowed all day; we had breakfast canapes; we had a four course lunch; just as lunch ended, they served high tea. We were not hungry for a second.
The excitement started around 2.00 with the arrival of the queen. She came in her coach sitting beside Prince Philip and a whole guard of horsemen around her. She looked stunning in a blue dress and a blue hat that EXACTLY matched her dress. She sat in the Royal Box all day. She must be a great lady -- when one of her horses won, she pumped the air with joy. Good on her!
The races began at 2.30. There were six in total, none of which added to the Bohner exchequer. In fact, I lost every bet I placed. Not to worry -- it was much more fun cheering on a horse that I had money on. I came close a couple of times, but no cigar.
We spent the time between races wandering around the grounds. It is a thrilling site when those horses come thundering by. Even more thrilling
The Balcony
This is where we could stand to watch the action below us. for those members of my party who had backed the right horse! Zarina and Rich had come with some of their friends, so Zarina snuck into the Royal Enclosure to see us and to tell us that Rich had won £1,800 on one race. Bugger!
The grounds closed at 6.30 at which point we decided to head back into London. The ten of us had formed a syndicate during the day to bet on some horses together. £20 a head -- hoping for the big win. We didn't have the big win, but we had enough to buy some beer for the van ride back. So, we got back into town happy and laughing.
Not ready to call it a night, we found a pub near Parsons Green that was about the same distance from everyone's house. There were lots of people there in their Ascot finery, so we fit right in. We spent the rest of the evening drinking beer, looking at the photos and talking about what a great day it had been. A once in a lifetime treat.
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