Foggy London

The City of London was shrouded in fog this week giving me  an image of what it used to look like before the skyscrapers arrived on the landscape.

A line of London buses crossing London Bridge.

Poignant street art

The Lord Mayor's Show

 It was the 803rd Lord Mayor's Show. The world's oldest civil parade. Each year the Aldermen of the City of London elect the Lord Mayor. This is an apolitical appointment  and has nothing to do with the Mayor of London who is elected for four years by the residents of London and is very much a political appointment. Once the Lord Mayor has been elected he has to take part in a procession and declare his loyalty to the Queen hence the annual Lord Mayor's Show.

In the streets surrounding Mansion House, where the procession begins, there was much preparation as well as opportunities for a cup of tea.

This horse had to be manoeuvered back into position.

These are from the Company of Pikemen and Muskateers which is a ceremonial unit of the Honourable Artillery Company. They are dressed and equipped as they would have been in 1640s. The company provides a ceremonial bodyguard for the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Hope someone retrieves their instruments before the parade begins.

There were lots of marching bands.

In perfect step

There were lots of other floats and groups. This one was from the Bank of England, taking the gold ingots out for a walk.

This is a Swiss company and I have no idea why they are dressed in this way.

Leading the Mayor's Coach.

It was a fun parade with lots of interaction with the crowd. The weather was very kind and it remained dry and warm for a mid November day.