During our stay in the UK this year, England celebrated VE Day in May.
VE Day, which stands for Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8th to commemorate the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany’s unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe. This year, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
It was a public holiday and the councils across the country were given a budget for a street party. The streets were allowed to be closed off and money given for bunting.
The area where my brother lives had a street party and all the houses brought a plate of food to share. It was a bitterly cold day but that didn’t deter anyone. Much fun was had by all and eventually carried on in someone’s house.
A red letter day for all!
On a visit to my mum later that week we walked through the local church grounds and saw a wonderful memorial.
I’ve been in the UK for a week now and it’s flown by. I’m staying with my parents in Essex after not seeing them for almost a year, not the best time of year but my mum turns 90 (yesterday actually) and there is a big celebration for her.
So far I’ve had a day in London with Sarah from Travel With Me, a night out with friends from way back and a 90th birthday party.
The day in London with Sarah started at the Barbican where I had suggested we meet. I have no idea why that place came to mind because there wasn’t too much there. Anyhow we made our way to a cafe for coffee and a “get to know you” conversation. We had so much to talk about, it’s great to meet up with a complete stranger and get on straight away. It was my first time to meet a fellow blogger, hopefully not my last. My Dad sent me off with warnings about how did I know this was a real person or even a woman, the worry for a child never goes.
A few of our photos below of our wonderful day together. If you follow Sarah and myself then you will have seen some of these photos already.
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
Giraffe Cutouts on a building site!
From New Change
The Cordwainer Statue
St. Paul’s Cathedral reflected through stainless steel sphere
On the Millennium Bridge
Window on London Lights by Jimmy C
The Blackfriar, built in 1805 on the site of a former Dominican Friary
After coffee we walked to St. Paul’s and looked for a place for lunch. We found a very cosy pub in a little alleyway called Williamson’s Tavern, former residence of the Lord Mayors of London. A walk across the Millennium Bridge after to walk off lunch and a visit to the Tate Modern to look at some of the fabulous art on display. Back across the Blackfriars Bridge and then we said our goodbyes. It was good to put a face to a name and make another friend too.
“Each new friendship can make you a new person, because it opens up new doors inside of you.”
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
The weekend was very busy with a family lunch on Saturday with two cousins, brother and family and my mum and dad. I had not seen my two cousins for over three years so we had lots to talk about.
Sunday was the big day and my mum’s 90th birthday. The party started at 2pm and finished around 6.30pm. My dad had hired a hall and my brother and sister-in-law had organised all the food. It was a wonderful celebration for my mum. She received so many cards, flowers, chocolates and all kinds of gifts.
“Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!”
I’ll be adding this post to Natalie the Explorer’s blog for weekend coffee share and public art challenge.
