Lord/Lady Mayor's Show and Selfridges Christmas Windows!

Last Saturday was the world's oldest and longest civic procession - the Lord Mayor's Show, which this year was actually called the Lady Mayor's Show. Dame Susan Langley DBE was the first Lady Mayor of London (although two other women have been titled 'Mayor').

The procession has a very old history, beginning in 1215. This was when the City of London was given the power from King John to have its own mayor. Once elected, the mayor had to travel to Westminster to swear their oath of loyalty to the monarch.

I've been going to the Lord Mayor's Show on and off for about 40 years. It used to end with a huge free firework display over the Thames. The sound of the fireworks echoing around the buildings was tremendous! Sadly, the fireworks haven't been held for a number of years now, but the procession remains - a happy, vibrant event with music, horses, colourful floats from different companies, universities and charities, military and bands, all parading through the City streets.

We had a spot not too far from St Paul's this year. Luckily, it was a mild and sunny day.

After some lunch in Pizza Express and a wander around Trafalgar Square and the Christmas market, we headed to Selfridges to see the wonderful Disney-themed Christmas window displays. Here are a few of them:

Peter Pan...

I think this one was my favourite. Tinkerbell flew around the window as a sparkling light and then stopped and lit up different parts of the playroom. So sweet!

Mary Poppins...

We actually saw Mary Poppins at the theatre last night - what an amazing show! It's touring, so if you can, I'd definitely recommend seeing it.

And Pinocchio...

All in all, an exhausting but fun day! Followed by a much smaller, local, Remembrance parade the following day.