So Sad

 Hi there

How truly sad that our queen has passed away,  One of her official titles is, of course, 'Queen of New Zealand'.  I remember as a child going with my entire school to see her coronation on the screen at the Majestic Theatre in Wellington. 

On the day of the coronation we heard that our Sir Edmund Hilary  had been the first to conquer Mt Everest.  I still remember bits of the song about Hilary's feat:

Now you're done it

Reached the summit

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue

Today, we have Charles as our king.   When he came to Wellington a few years ago, I wandered down the road to Weta Workshop with the hope that I would see him. There were only a dozen or so of us waiting outside.  Charles came over to me and reached out his hand.  I hurriedly brought my hands out from my hoodie pockets, and we had a handshake. Goodness, I've just realised: I've shaken hands with our reigning monarch, King Charles III...

Prince Charles at Weta Workshop, Miramar

Prince Charles and Camilla are in Wellington today.  Prince Charles visited Weta Workshop in Miramar, home of movie sculptures, models, replicas, etc.  Though it's probably less than a km from my place, I had to take the car because of my bad foot.  I thought director Peter Jackson might be there.  And he was.  But he purposely kept to the shadows whilst waiting for the Prince to arrive and it was very hard to photograph him because the great unwashed public were not allowed to set foot inside Weta grounds.

However, lovely Richard Taylor, head of Weta, came outside and spoke to people.  I saw oscar winner Tania Roger there as well.

Now, wait for it.........   Prince Charles shook my hand!  I said 'Good luck' to him.  The woman beside me said to give her best to Camilla.  Prince Charles thanked us.  And do you know what?  He was smiling the whole time, and he was so gentle and insisted on talking to lots of people.  He was so different from how I thought he would be, i.e. stiff and formal. 

Photos from top to bottom:  Richard Taylor, me alongside the Prince's car, Prince Charles, VIPs (including Peter Jackson) waiting for the Prince to arrive.

I'll bet the Prince enjoyed his visit to Weta because he's a movie buff.  He was about five minutes late arriving, but about a half hour late leaving.

J and I had our second swim for the month today.  Whoopeee!  We stayed in water about 25 minutes.