On the 31 December 2006 Emma made a pact with her sister Helen and Helen’s boyfriend Nicholas, that the next year, they would be there; they would go up to London too to see the fireworks. In the end Helen and and Nick didn’t go, but Emma and I did. Getting a train from the most dismal railway station outside of Nuneaton and Coventry – Maidenhead – we arrive in London, and shortly after at Picadilly to find the roads and tube lines filled with police. We walk up a pedestrianised Regents Street beneath illuminated orbs and look in the windows of Oxford Street.
We actually walk a very long way. I don’t realise it at the time but I end up with a blister on the side of one of my little toes that is as big as the toe itself. Ouch!
London Orbs
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 10.00pm GMT PST.
Angel Gabriel
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 10.13pm GMT PST.
Buck House
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 10.16pm GMT PST.
From Buckingham Palace we walk down Birdcage Walk, but do not get as far as Parliament Square as, by half past ten, it, along with the embankment and bridges that follow it are full already. We turnabout and head back to Buckingham Palace, reassured by a sign that says that if you can see the London Eye then you will see the fireworks…
The Eye
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 9.52pm GMT PST.
Explosive
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 9.55pm GMT PST.
And what a display! Simply awesome! And it was kind of a romantic environment to ask the question. Between rain showers with hoods pulled tight over our heads I gave a ring to Emma and asked her if she would marry me. At first she clutched me tight – tighter than she’s ever clutched me – and cried, and said yes. 🙂
Happy Couple
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 10.03pm GMT PST.
The Ring
Originally uploaded by shepline on 1 Jan ’08, 9.50pm GMT PST.
Edit: Apparently my Dad guessed that I might have been going to do such a thing, or at least he wouldn’t be surprised if I did. Everyone is very happy! 🙂
What wonderful news! Congratulations, both of you. I am absolutely delighted 🙂
Thank you! It’s been a long time coming hasn’t it…?
OMG!! What lovely news 😀
Congratulations to both of you!
xoxo
Hehe! Thank you! 🙂
See, it always pays to refresh that friends page doesn’t it?
I think I missed this when you posted it. Congratulations! What a beautiful ring … and a beautiful couple. 🙂
Thank you! Hrmm, I wonder if there’s room in the budget to fly a soprano out to Wales to sing…?
It is a nice ring. Simple but nice. 🙂
I would be so honored. I’d have to sing “Let the Bright Seraphim,” Charles-and-Diana-style.
I actually much prefer simple, elegant rings myself. 🙂
Hey, this is wonderful – congratulations Thomas!!!!
I’m really so thrilled! 🙂
(Saw this late as I have been back from my fortnight in Sri Lanka for a week, but have awful flu and have been in bed ever since).