As you may know, it's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend and the highlight will be a flotilla of small craft travelling down the Thames in a pageant.

I was staying in County Hall last night which is superbly positioned for a perfect view of proceedings.

There are many rooms with Thames view, some suites with huge windows overlooking the river and, on the top floor, some studio rooms with balconies, all of which will provide a perfect view of proceedings.

As I was checking out this morning, I had a conversation with the desk clerk about the likely popularity of the hotel tonight and he came up with the news that the Westminster Suite (one of the best ones) had been sold for an eye-watering GBP6,000 per night.