11th March 2026 - Surprise
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I had a surprise today. I have been invited to a Duke of Edinburgh 
award celebration event at Buckingham Palace. It is lovely to be 
nominated. Not often you get a chance to visit the King's London gaff. 

The event is a garden party where young people who have earned their 
gold award get to celebrate. It should be a great event. I am slightly 
worried but mostly as I cannot bring a guest so expecting a few hours 
standing around awkwardly while using the defensive tea in a saucer 
prop. I am sure I will end up recognising a couple of faces with last 
year's gold expeditions. I would hope that at least some of them would 
have finished the service, skill, physical and residential aspects of 
their award.

The security arrangements are amusing. I need to bring photo ID and 
something with my address on. My driving licence can only be used for 
one or the other even if it has both a photo and my address. Ruddy 
strange. 

I will be off there in May. I think I will have a few nights in London 
while I am at it too. May as well have a chance to explore a little 
and possibly catch a gig or 2.