Today May 6th was a lovely day all round. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was the day of the Whitehaven Freedom Parade through the town.
Me and hubby decided to go down and watch. Now this sounds like a good plan, except for the fact its only 2weeks since I had my knee operation, i'm still hobbling about, I didn't take my crutches or the folding chair (this wasn't thought about until the last part of the air display!) Plus we parked at the multi story and had to park on level 5 and then walk down. So by the time we had left the car park I was already knackered and in pain. Oh well, we're here now!
We took a slow walk to the harbour front. As we were walking down the harbour front we got asked by a steward if we were part of the parade - errr no we're here to watch it and we're heading down to the navy boat. We were allowed to pass. He did inform us that the parade was going that way and coming back the way we were walking.
As we approached the quay down to where the navy boat was they had a sign up showing its name -
and on the metal gate was a sign that said open 10:30am-4pm, we said that it would be worth getting the boys from school and heading straight down so they could look round the boat. We walked down the quay to the boat (which was at the far end!!!) As we got nearer I could see a rope ladder at the side of it - the only way on board - great! I decided not to go on board as I didn't want to risk hurting my knee any more than the walking was going to do. Hubby went on and had a look around. I took a few photos of the outside of the boat and then wandered back to the harbourside where I could sit down.
After a short sit down on a bench I could hear the band playing and someone said that the parade where on their way back to the harbourside. I stayed seated until I saw the band come into the band stand and then I stood up. I had a lovely view from where I was, that was until the police and stewards decided they were going to stand there. However I did manage to get some nice photos of the parade.
After the parade had all been inspected and everything else done they marched past the end of where I was standing (couldn't sit now if I had wanted to as the area behind me was full of people). The cheering and waving of flags and clapping was really nice.
It was then time for the arial displays to start. They were really good, and I managed to get some photos that are very clear even though I only had the small cameras with me, yes cameras I had 2!
Following this great display it was the turn of the red devils parachute display team, from air to sea. The plane had to do a few laps before it was cleared to go.
Apparently the sea was very cold, 1 of them said as they walked past - I will believe him as I have no desire to find out until the weather warms up much more!
Finally there was another plane doing lots of tricks and leaving smoke trails.
I was glad I had gone down there for the event but I certainly knew that I had stood for nearly 2hrs. I was in alot of pain. By the time we got home my knee had swollen up and I have taken lots of pain killers and elevated my knee and had ice on it. I got some really nice photos and had a lovely time. The atmosphere was brilliant and there was a great turn out for a small town.
