This Wednesday we both took the day off from work and went to Royal Ascot for the Second Day of Racing.

We met up with the others at the Plough and Anchor for breakfast at 9.30 and left in the coach at 10.30. We got a bit slowed down by traffic at Ascot but arrived in the car park at about 12.45. Out came the wine and luncheon. Jake had provided us with beef, smoked Salmon, chicken and ham. It was a veritable feast.

Then we were off to the racecourse, where we watched the first two races from the rail in the Grandstands. Bet on Ann Summers Two in the second race. It came in fourth.

Next two races we watched from the paddocks, hoping to get a glimpse of the Queen. She passed by us when our backs were turned. Here it was fascinating watching the owners, jockeys, and trainers in the Paddocks and Winners enclosure. All the men were wearing the top hats and grey morning dress (well except the jockeys).

Last two races we met up with the group again at the rail. Placed a bet on Mana d’Argent in the fifth race. No idea where that horse came in, and in the seventh placed a bet on Sky Galaxy. Third at the last furlong, and then it too faded. Not a great success.

We went straight back to the coach to finish the food. On the way back Rosemary asked one of the limo drivers for a look into his car. It was quite fabulous. He said there were 5000 stretched limos registered in the UK. There must have been a very high proportion of them here. He had come from Nottingham. 

At the coach we set up for our evening meal. More of the lunch with Pimms, G&Ts wine beer. We were having great time.

The evening was spoilt by what I consider was some very heavy-handed Thames Valley police action. There was quite a few police in our car park, which contained only 30 coaches. They all seem friendly and some were actually from Aylesbury. We had spoken to them, and had pictures taken with them and their police horses. Near by was one coach which had set up a disco, we had moved over there to take part in some dancing. While we were there it seems a couple tripped over and fell to the ground. Instantly the police where there, including the horses breaking up the event. Some 20 police had appeared from nowhere.

So we took the hint that the party was at an end and departed. Back on the coach we soon left and made a stop on the way home for some additional drinks at a pub.

Left again at 10.45 and back at the P&A at 12.30. The long journey time home was because we got lost coming home. For some reason we seemed to be driving around Reading at one stage. I think some instructions to the coach driver by over enthusiastic navigators got us on the wrong road.