The House of Commons

Our friends Yiannis and Helen who work at the House of Commons invited Max and I for lunch and a look around, Yiannis works in members travel and Helen is PA to Mike Hill MP, Helen’s daughter Maria who is a make up artist also came along (no pics of Helen, she didn’t want to be photographed).

It was a fascinating day, they took us into places that the public can’t go, beautiful Hogwarts style corridors and staircases and halls, we went into the house itself and watched part of a debate on the Grenfell Tower fire and another on ATM charges, so cool to see having seen it all my life on TV, no cameras, phones or handbags allowed in there, and was sat behind a big glass screen which I assume was probably bullet-proof, there were armed police at every turn, who were all very friendly and helpful I have to add.

We also went into the hall where Monarch‘s are laid to rest before being moved to Westminster.

I had a great gift shop where I bought Christmas decoration the house of commons logo and a book for a friend.

Lunch was lovely and we sat outside on the terrace overlooking the Thames, Mike Hill joined us for a while, very nice man with a good sense of humour. The building itself is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben are being renovated for the next three years are not visible.

They took us into the modern half of the building as well which was a beautiful enormous cafe area under a glass ceiling and from there we went out of a secret exit into the tube station at Westminster.

I met Yiannis because he is a fan of my music and of the podcast I used to do with Phil Marriott, he has been along to my show at Jazz after dark a couple of times and brought Helen and Maria down to see me.

It was lovely for Max and I to have a day out together as well, we have both been unwell recently and Max has been working really hard.