Week End Fun

What did you do last weekend?

That's nice. Here's what I did.

I shook hands with Prince Charles.

I was in Victoria B.C. for the weekend and read in the paper that Prince Charles and Camilla were in town for an official visit. I noted that they would be at church the next morning, but since I didn't know where the church was, I put it out of my mind.

Well, wouldn't you know, while out on a walk we ran right into the church - pretty obvious, guys in trench coats with earpieces, crowds lining the walkway. We asked one of those guys when the Prince was expected to come out, and we were told 25 minutes. Piece of cake!

We whiled away the time talking to some locals, and then with the usual pomp, out came some official types, and then Prince Charles and Camilla.



We were standing across the street and feared he wouldn't come over, but come over he did (Camilla didn't bother), shaking hands all the way. He was very Turnbull and Asser and looked just like himself. I stuck my hand out and he shook it. I couldn't help myself. I burst out with "You look wonderful!"

Well, he did.

For a Prince, he had rather rough hands, but as one of my colleagues pointed out, he is a gardener, so that makes sense.

Memorable moment. In my mind, how many Americans get the opportunity to shake Prince Charles' hand?

I am a major Anglophile - never got over Diana's death - watch British TV shows - pretentiously use words like "chuffed" and "gobsmacked" - that kind of thing. So I must say, I was quite a bit thrilled.

Here is more about the event. I am mentioned in the final paragraph - as "the crowds."

Charles and Camilla in Victoria the day I saw them

And here's my point - I do have one.

We are all a little strapped for cash these days. Yes, we spent money to go to Victoria (actually it was a deal), but the high point for me was shaking hands with a Prince, and that was absolutely free. Just took a little effort on my part.

So here are some ideas for some Free Fun and And More Free Fun courtesy of your friendly local library.

You might not meet a Prince, but spending time with your family and loved ones doing fun things that don't cost much are memorable moments in the making.