Landing. we where whisked off the back of the plane and into mini buses to join the convoy into town. As some strategic point, though we were at the back we separated off and headed down a ring road to the first location - which was meeting the President. As we raced down the road the following Police motorcyclist drew level and waved his hand for us to go faster as we were falling back. Only for the driver to shrug his shoulders and point at the sign by the sun visors - the bus was limited - a real keystone cop moment!! Threading our way through halted traffic we eventually reached the Palace just off a square in the centre of town we waited for the rest of the cavalcade to appear. Surprisingly we had actually beaten it and all lined up - diviing up the work again - between the Beeb and us.
What became very apparent was that the local media didn't follow the same rules in respecting distance and intrusion as we did when it comes to respecting which really bugged Sam, the Queens Press Officer. On a short walk about between locations a photographer barged past Prince Philip, knocking him off balance which resulted in his comment 'its like a scrum round here'. I do feel a little sorry for him as he's definitely left out- the Queen is top dog and he follows around - but after so many years I guess he's used to it. He always seems happy though. Liz had cheered up too, during the time in Slovenia she was really moody and hardly smiled at all. Here though she was beaming - a much nicer friendlier image. We all have our off days so to be expected from time to time.
That afternoon we made our way to Devin castle just outside the city which used to be the site of the iron curtain. Over the river was Austria and freedom - previously obscured by a huge fence.
Here we met Nicholas Winton and some of his children. Its very rare that you meet someone who totally humbles you and leaves you in awe of their achievements. As we sat and interviewed Nicholas we all became stunned by his complete modesty in what he had done. During the second world war in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia Nick had saved the lives of over 700 Jewish children by smuggling them to Britain, and finding families for them to live with. When asked why, his answer was ' What else was there to do?' After the war he also kept this secret from his wife, with some papers in the loft detailing his exploits only unearthed in the 1980's.
This is the story of one of his 'children', an 8 year old girl.... It was time to go and on the way to the station the girls mother and father where being as buoyant as they could telling their daughter not to worry and she would see them again soon. Trying desperately to stay stay strong and not to cry as they said goodbye to their daughter, her mother gave her a diary.
"Whats this for Mum".
"That's so you can write down how you are feeling, when you are happy and sad - then when we see you again you can show it to us and we can read what adventures you have been up to."
"OK Mum I will."
Taking her number, 200, she got on the train waving goodbye to her parents. A while into the journey the train stopped and all the children with numbers below 200 where told to get off as they were now safe. Not really understanding, scared she asked another girl next to her what to do. that girl said stay on the train and so she did. had she done as she was told and got off the train she wouldn't be alive today to tell us her story. Very sad.
In no way have I done her story or Nick justice - a true hero.
Its after the Queen met Nick and some of his children where I came to be standing on a table as the Queen walked by - but that is better told by Peter Hunt in this blog which is a little later on.
Next was the laying of the wreaths at the memorial in the shadow of the castle.
This ended up being another nightmare for Sam trying to control the local snappers. They just ran riot and got everywhere. Here they ran past her and grinning in a really purile catch me if you can attitude. Despite that the ceremony continued.
And the poor Prince bringing up the rear. Not having been barged out the way at least.
Soon after it got dark, everyone else had left to do something far more interesting, we though finished editing - well Vicky did. I did a live and then we waited an age for a taxi to come and take us to the hotel. By which time, after an 18 hour day, and running low on blood sugar levels - the concierge who was standing around doing nothing and didn't help with the luggage trolly got the thin end of my tongue - as did the check in clerk - "This is a 5* hotel - yes? I didn't know guests were expected wheel their own trolly's..." Thankfully 'my girls' very quickly made sure I got some food and drink!! Bless them. I'm so not like Nick!!
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