WOOHOO! What a charity ride

**rubywagon** · 10-03-2009, 01:43 PM

Way to go! That looks like a really fun ride. Loved the pictures.

**snapdragen** · 10-03-2009, 02:04 PM

That's awesome Sally, congratulations on your final figure!

**ClockworkOrange** · 10-03-2009, 03:01 PM

Zen was asking me, "what park were you in and what is the building in the distance behind the Big Ben"?

Well, the building behind Big Ben is the Houses of Parliament, this photo explains all:

This is perhaps the most common view:

The park was actually the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, the yearly Chelsea Flower Show is always held there too.

There are few institutions in the United Kingdom with an unbroken three centuries of service and none of them is so close to the heart of the nation as "The Men in Scarlet", the Chelsea Pensioners, and their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King Charles II and intended for the 'succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war', the Royal Hospital, with its Grade 1 listed buildings, still serves its original purpose and intends to continue to further its role well into the 21st Century.

A couple of these lovely gents where around on day of the bike ride, one in particular was really cheeky, because of my helmet he came up to me and gave me a hug and whispered "you've got a nice pair", he was meaning the antlers on my helmet.................I think!

Clock

**aeiea** · 10-03-2009, 03:35 PM

how wonderful! thank you so much for sharing!

Love the antlers

**channlluv** · 10-03-2009, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by ClockworkOrange

...
A couple of these lovely gents where around on day of the bike ride, one in particular was really cheeky, because of my helmet he came up to me and gave me a hug and whispered "you've got a nice pair", he was meaning the antlers on my helmet.................I think!

Clock

You naughty Brits. Even cheeky stuff, when said with a British accent, is endearing as all get out. Congratulations on a very successful ride!

Are those gentlemen in uniform for a special event, or do the pensioners who stay at the hospital there wear them all the time?

Roxy

**ClockworkOrange** · 10-03-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by channlluv

You naughty Brits. Even cheeky stuff, when said with a British accent, is endearing as all get out. Congratulations on a very successful ride!

Are those gentlemen in uniform for a special event, or do the pensioners who stay at the hospital there wear them all the time?

Roxy

Hi Roxy

I must confess to not knowing the answer so have Googled it for you:

In-pensioners are entitled to come and go from the Royal Hospital as they please, and are permitted to wear civilian clothing wherever they travel. However, within the Hospital, and in the surrounding area, in-pensioners are encouraged to wear a blue uniform. If they travel further from the Hospital, they should wear the distinctive scarlet coats instead of the blue uniform. The scarlet coats are also worn for ceremonial occasions, accompanied by tricorne hats.

In uniform, the pensioners wear their medal ribbons and the insignia of the rank they reached whilst serving in the military. They may also wear other insignia they earned during their service and many pensioners now wear parachute jump wings and even SAS jump wings.

It is illegal to impersonate an in-pensioner; at one time this was punishable by death.

I have learnt something too.

Clock

**nancielle** · 10-04-2009, 09:16 AM

Congrats to you and your team on your ride. Very impressive amount of money raised as well. Loved the photos and your write up. Especially loved your helmet.

**owlice** · 10-04-2009, 05:17 PM

What a great thread!! Thanks for sharing, and excellent job!!!

**e.e.cummings** · 10-14-2009, 02:32 PM

Bravo! This post made me smile. You guys look so happy in the photos. Way to go - big pat on the back!

**malkin** · 10-14-2009, 02:35 PM

Wow!
A big hooray for you and your team!

**ClockworkOrange** · 10-26-2009, 01:34 PM

Well, tomorrow evening is the Awards Party, I should be excited but with my son still out of work, I am more worried about that, just hoping he has got food to put on the table for his family! Yes he is nearly 34 years of age but I cannot stop worrying.

Got to put on a smilie face tomorrow, if only for my other friends who are so very excited.

They don't know but I am going to be able to give them copies of the Awards Certificate to keep and I shall do that once we get to the Chinese Restaurant as a surprise.

Clock

**staceysue** · 10-26-2009, 02:37 PM

That's really awesome! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thanks for the pictures, too. I really appreciate seeing pics from England. I'd love to go there some day.

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