A DAY AT THE RACES!

This past Saturday I spent my afternoon at the Royal Ascot Races!

It was AMAZEBALLS. To say the least.

I believe the Royal Ascot is the best excuse to put on  your best dress and play the role of a classy socialite. It allows you to fully commit to the idea as this is a true royal occasion. My morning started early… I’m talking 5:45 am. My friend Abbie and I made our way to the meeting point for the ‘Kiwi’s in London’ group function.

Technically I am not a Kiwi. But I’m dating one. And lived there for long enough. In my eyes, I qualify.

We were each given a bottle of champagne upon arrival.

I repeat, a bottle each.

600 of us Kiwi’s {and Australians, and me, the ‘American Hotdog’} were then loaded on to 9 old fashion, red double decker buses for our 2  hour journey to the races. You can imagine with 30 people drinking 30 bottles of champagne, we were going to need some toilet stops. McDonalds was the first. But the second came around right as we arrived at the venue. However, not everyone was willing to hold it.

Picture 15+ females dressed to the nines running out of a double decker bus and bee lining it to the woods to squat in their beautiful outfits and stilettos. Pure class. But hey, when you gotta go you gotta go.

Upon arrival to the races, we sorted out a spot on the grass, unloaded our picnics and continued sipping.

It was then time for the arrival of the Queen! Not Yonce. But the actual Queen of England. Though I would be excited about either of their attendance. The biggest inquiry the crowd had was what attire she would arrive in. We all remember a couple weeks ago when she arrived to her 90th birthday celebration in a lime green suit…

And then there she was. In the flesh. Right in front of me. Wearing {gasp!} two different shades of blue.

AND WHAT A CONTROVERSY THAT STIRRED UP.

Navy, aqua, or turquoise. It didn’t matter to me. I got to see Queen Elizabeth. She even threw out a royal queen wave!

Then it was time for the races to begin! And for gentleman {and ladies} to place their bets!

I have no idea about horse racing. Nor do I have a natural knack for gambling. So, I picked my favorite name. And that was the way my afternoon went.

Let me tell you, people really get into their horse racing! And to be honest, I kinda get why. It was sooooo entertaining! The whole afternoon was spent nibbling our picnic and awaiting the next race. Some of us were winners, others {like myself} lost is all.

All five pounds that is.

To be honest I think my favorite part of Royal Ascot was people watching and dress admiring. I was in fashion heaven. The dresses that were worn to this occasion were magnificent. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of other race goers.  It just made me want to go shopping.

As the afternoon continued, some of us required a quick nap… #whenyouascottoohard

Eventually we made our way under sheltered tents as the unpredictable English weather insisted on a small amount of rainfall. So typical.

We continued betting.

And found ways of keeping ourselves entertained. See example, grape tossing.

The last race of the day commenced at 5:30 pm. Let’s be reminded I’ve been awake for 12 hours at this point.

But the party didn’t end there.

The after party was under large white tents with a band provided and {of course} a fully equipped bar for those still going strong. My champagne consumption for the day consisted of a mere two or three glasses. But I was happy to observe the madness around me.

Everyone was having such a good time. The energy was amazing. No one was lacking a smile. It was everything you could ask for at the Royal Ascot Races.

If you ever get a chance to attend the Ascot Races, I highly, highly suggest you take advantage. With a pre-organized group or not. We purchased tickets in the Windsor Enclosure, and they were very inexpensive. You bring your own food and alcohol, so your costs once inside the venue are still very low.

It is an event I had been anticipating since I arrived in London, and I would go again in a heartbeat!

Next up, flying to Sweden on Thursday for Midsummer!