I had a different type of knot to tie today – no ropes required! With tie tied and shoes polished, I set off to London, where I was delighted to have been invited to Buckingham Palace by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh!

It was an invite only ‘Garden Party’ to celebrate those who had achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Twenty five years ago, I attended a similar event with Mom and Dad to receive my Award, but today I was accompanying a group of students who I have helped access the Gold Award.

Having had breakfast at The Cottage, it was slightly surreal stepping off the train a few hours later in central London. I had half an hour to spare, so sauntered past the Ritz and went for a quick coffee then onto the Palace.

There were police outside on the road and I had to show my ‘special ticket’ to by-pass the bemused tourists and be let through the famous gates! Inside, we had full access to all the gardens. I felt suitably attired, especially with Great Uncle Ken’s watch on!

A military band was playing and there were various small stages set up around the gardens where celebrities and famous ‘Gold Alumni’ were giving speeches and congratulating the students.

Before meeting up with my students, I took a stroll around the incredible rose gardens and huge trees. It’s amazing that even with such vast grounds, they have no buildings ‘looking in on them’.

Tea and cake was then served in a rather nice ‘tea tent’…

While perusing the grounds we got to mingle with a few famous folk. I got a quick chat with the actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe (photo below), saw an Olympian give a speech and celebrity chef, Matt Tebbutt (who I’d never heard of, but he seemed like a nice bloke!).

Then the main man, Price Edward (AKA The Duke of Edinburgh) gave an address to us all from the west terrace of The Palace before walking around the garden to meet the Award achievers. I even got to have a little chat with him and told him that it was twenty-years since receiving my Gold Award! I got to introduce some of my students and he thanked me for my continued work.

This wasn’t me getting escorted off the premises, or my security detail, but I thought I’d get an photo with them for a future caption competition!…

Then all too soon, it was time to go! What an incredible experience!

I was pretty much last to leave and left with a final view in the spacious front of Buckingham Palace, before walking through the gates and back out through the black and gold gates into the busy streets of London.

A short walk across Hyde Park, and a quick tube ride later had me back at the station, elated and exhausted ready to ride home…