Although we're not actually ranking them, the changing of the guard is probably low teens, maybe even top ten on the list. For more than you've ever wanted to know about changing of the guard, history of the guards at Buckingham, and all the different regiments, this site is a good one!:
http://www.changing-the-guard.com
During the winter months, the ceremony only occurs every other day and only if the weather is good. Any concern for rain and they cancel, like major league baseball. Strangely enough, there is no stoppage for high winds which means the chinstraps for their bear skin hats must be pretty strong.
As an aside, the bear skin caps are pretty fascinating. At nearly 2 pounds and 16 inches high, why would any military person want such a cumbersome thing?
Turns out, appearance is everything. They were initially used by grenadier corps with the goal to look bigger and more frightening to the enemy troops.
They are made from actual bear skin, with reports that they are from culled Canadian black bears. The UK's Ministry of Defense has explored other options but no synthetic materials work as well in the elements as the genuine bear skin. This has been a source of intense debate for several years but as yet, unresolved.
For some updates on the bear skin hat situation, you can check out this article, the third story down:
https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2015/10/19/defence-in-the-media-19-october-2015/
And an aside aside, there's a marching band in Bethlehem, PA that is apparently really good and they, too, wear bear skin hats.
http://articles.mcall.com/2013-09-10/sports/mc-varsity-groller-0908-20130910_1_former-band-member-liberty-grenadier-band-coldstream-guards
Back at the homefront, Joey, Sammy, Lanna and I got ready (in the best of times, this still takes at least a half hour). We had to get there around 11am to ensure a good spot in front of Buckingham Palace. We finally were ready and made it out of the flat.
We've been incredibly lucky to have parking right outside the flat, so the stroller is stored in the back of the now otherwise empty Peugeot. Lanna and Sammy got loaded in, and with Joey trotting alongside, we went to the bus stop which is about a 5 minute walk away.
Riding the bus initially caused a great deal of concern but it has been overall an excellent experience! The boys have loved it and they scamper on first. They find seats near the areas reserved for strollers and wheelchairs, then I bring Lanna and the stroller on to the bus.
We ride at quiet times and often have the whole double decker first floor to ourselves!
The trip to Buckingham went smoothly and we were set up in a good position!
Before the Grenadiers even got started, we had a parade of horse guards!
Then we had some Stroller Brunch waiting for the Changing of the Guards!
More exclamation points!
The crowd thickened up and hemmed us in, but the boys continued to have good sight lines of the front of the palace.
And then we heard the band echoing from across the way. The anticipation built for all of us and then the palace gates opened and changing began.
Sure, the guards already there were perfectly fine, but it was a real pleasure to watch the pageantry and listen to the band play. It was a long process as there were presenting of arms, group marching, and a very entertaining inspection of the empty, tiny guard shacks.
At one point, a pair of Guards walked near our corner of the grounds:
Watching the kids watch the guards was such a pleasure. I focused more on them than the guards until I heard a very familiar tune and it brought me back.
It was the theme to Indiana Jones. The Band of the Coldstream Guards was playing it!
Listening to the music roll through the square made me think of our beautiful black lab Indy (named for Indiana Jones) and getting married to Alisa when the Indiana Jones theme was our recessional song.
Then they transitioned into The Imperial March from Star Wars. It was amazing!
Here's the proof (about a 2 minute video):
Shortly after that performance, the change was complete. We spent some time waiting for the crowds to clear. As we waited, Sammy and Lanna charmed some South Korean women who took some selfies with them.
I took a few pictures of the statue and view back towards Big Ben.
With the ceremony over, we slowly navigated through the crowds and planned to play at the St. James Park playground. About 10 seconds after our arrival to the playground, the skies opened up.
I got the kids all on the stroller and rolled back at a quick clip towards Parliament Square for the bus. As we came through the Horse Guards building, Joey spotted some more Guards!
Fortunately Joey was neither bitten nor kicked. Sammy and Lanna opted to stay in the stroller under the umbrellas.
After that, we felt we had seen enough Guards for one day and caught the bus back to the flat.
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