Long live the Queen!

This week Queen Elizabeth II made her 16th visit to Australia as reigning monarch.  Australia has a rather strong republican movement but they were no where in sight this week, as thousands of people gathered for a view of her where ever the Queen went.

The Queen was in Brisbane on Monday for a 4 hour visit.  She met with flood victims and unveiled a new rainforest garden.  People lined up for hours just to catch a glimpse of her and we were able to see the crowds from our office.  Like a good colonial, JB went down to the nearest bridge with some co-workers to watch the Queen's ship dock at Southbank. 

Security Sea-doos ahead of her arrival

The Queen's ship docking

JB was a little too far back to really be able to see her, but there was no doubt when the Queen stepped onto the dock as the crowd went completely wild!  The cheers could be heard well on the other side of the river, so there is no doubting the support she has here.   Later in the week there was a "mooning" incident, so maybe not quite everyone was celebrating her arrival the same way.

There were numerous headlines and stories about this being her farewell visit and how this is the last opportunity to see her.  She is a rather spry 85 and Phillip is an extremely well kept 90.  Her mother lived to be 101, so the Queen could well have another 20 years on the throne.  We hope the next time she's here she reads the articles from this year out loud and proudly declares herself to be still alive.  And then Phillip can clock the guy who mooned them.