The House of Commons

Gulliver, Erin, Jeanette and I set off for the House of Commons after Gullivers guitar lesson, we arrived just after 11:30 AM and were met by Helen who took us to Westminster Hall which is the place where the Monarch’s body is laid to rest before it goes to Westminster abbey, and then to the chapel of Saint Mary Undercroft which is absolutely stunning, every inch is intricately decorated and the stained-glass is incredible, no photos allowed.

We were incredibly lucky to be able to go right inside the chamber which is where members of parliament meet to discuss legislation and to hold the government to account and debate issues that concern them all their constituents. It was rebuilt after it was bombed during the Second World War but built in an old style, it is stunning and it was so exciting to be right in there and to stand where the Prime Minister stands, right in front of the microphone, what an experience for the kids! We met very funny and outspoken policeman on the way out! Again no photos allowed.

Helen also managed to arrange for us to go out on the terrace which overlooks the Thames, this is also something very special as members of the public cannot go out there, then we met Yiannis and went for lunch in one of the many restaurants, it is fantastic value and lunch for the four of us was less than £20 and really delicious.

Then it was off to take a look at portcullis house which is on the modern side, like a huge greenhouse, very impressive.

Then to Westminster tube where we exited through special entrance, the kids were very impressed with the secret entrance to the tube aspect of it all, there is a lion and a unicorn as you approach the tube and I got told off for taking the photo of the kids with the unicorn by a policeman as you’re not allowed to take photographs down there.

It was amazing, the second time I’ve been and are so many things this time which was very excited by.

I also did a bit of Christmas shopping in the gift shop!

As we were only four stops away with decided to go to the V&A and popping to the Frida Callow exhibition which Erin and Jeanette had not seen, Gulliver had not seen it either, it’s a great exhibition, I think it’s the third time I’ve been and every time I see something different that I hadn’t noticed before, I think my favourite items are her back braces which she has painted and the paintings of her miscarriage which are incredibly moving, there is also an amazing pair of embroidered red boots one attached to her false leg, and I love all the personal effects to, they have a pair of very stylish vintage sunglasses, some nail varnish make up and combs et cetera.

Off to the beautiful cafe for tea will be sat in one of the side rooms which is covered in beautiful tiles, all around the room are giant tiled pictures of the months of the year to pick ting a woman in each in different clothing and there are four which represent the seasons, we enjoyed looking around the room at our birth months and that lead onto stories of when the children were born and when they were conceived.

It was lovely to spend the day with Jeanette and get to know her better.

Back home Max cooked a delicious dinner of Spanish cod and chorizo and we continued watching season two of Ozarks which is very good.

Gulli went back with Erin And they dropped him home about 10, seven he got in about 11 from work.