Keep up with
Newstalk ZB

Sun, 19 May 2013, 03:04

Have Your Say

Talkback 0800 80 10 80
Overseas +64 9 307 1080
Text 9292

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • RSS
  • Sign Up

Site Search

Search Search

Select your region:

Political Report: Jubilee Celebrations

Share |

By: Barry Soper | Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:00 AM

There's one thing you've got to say about the Brits, when they decide to party they damn well do regardless of the climate.

Their pageant to celebrate Lizzie's 60 year reign was 18 months in the planning. In the weeks leading up to it, the country was bathing in temperatures knocking 30 degrees.

But one thing they couldn't plan for was the weather. It was more than a rained on parade - it was a freezing flotilla of a thousand boats of all shapes and sizes.

They made their laborious way up the Thames, with the specially decked out Royal barge looking splendid and the Queen and the newest recruit to the Order of New Zealand the Duke looking something like cardboard cartoon cutouts with their elbows permanently bent and with the gloved hands moving back and forth for hours as a gesture to their loyal subjects.

Not only were a million of them crammed on every vantage point along the route, the whole country was having a washed out tea party.

The weather was atrocious, plummeting to seven degrees with blinding rain. The gloved hands waved monotonously through it all.

There's little wonder that the Queen is well loved in this country that's not known for mushiness, unless you're referring to the ground under foot.

The media largely ignored the miserable masses, with headlines heralding the start of the $20 million party as a runaway success, even if the finale flyover had to be cancelled because the pilots wouldn't have been able to see where they were going.

Even State Homie John Key, who spent most of his time beneath decks, was back on wet land before the royal couple. He'd been on a boat with other Commonwealth leaders, but did weather the elements to have a look at his apartment above Chelsea Bridge where his sister was having a party.

There's one thing you couldn't say at the end of the day, that it was a day of whingeing Poms!

Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper is following the Prime Minister in Europe thanks to Air New Zealand

Photo: Getty Images

 

Mike's Editorial: Budget reflections

Friday, May 17, 2013

I know it's as dry as dust and none of us apart from the odd numbers nerd o ...

Political Report: Giving with one hand, ...

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Dipton Drawler Bill English stepped up to the mark yesterday and looked ...

Mike's Editorial: State housing solution ...

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The modern way of the budget isn’t as fun as it used to be - it&rsquo ...

Political Report: The Budget - striking ...

Thursday, May 16, 2013

That old political warhorse Rob Muldoon once famously said the punter would ...

Larry's Memo: May 15

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Budget tomorrow is most unlikely to contain anything in the way of surp ...

Mike's Editorial: MMP review the perfect ...

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Although I don’t quite see the same level of conspiracy over the MMP ...

Advertisement
Mike Hosking Breakfast
Advertisement
  • Bill increasing petrol tax passes

  • Super Rugby: Crusaders victorious over Blues

  • North Korea launches short-range missiles

  • Second Airbus for Fiji

  • Inquiry ordered over treatment of residents

  • Tennis: Nadal, Federer through to Rome semis

  • 200 day waka journey

  • Two arrested after bomb-making materials found

  • Auckland Writers & Readers Fes ...

  • Steven Adams: NBA-bound

  • Kevin Milne Comment: Saturday ...

  • Jack Tame Comment: Saturday 18 ...

  • Friday-Budget Passion

  • Thursday-Topless Research

  • Wednesday-Gilmore So Gone

  • Tuesday-Unconventional Centre

National Convention Centre

Do you support the Government's deal with SkyCity over the National Convention Centre

Vote Now

View Results