Big Ben as we emerged from the Tube at Westminster, and Oliver Cromwell.
Our tour of the Houses of Parliament was due to start at 11.00 a.m.
Just before the tour begins in the 900 year old Westminster Hall.
Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed passed this point.
The tour was guided by a very knowledgable guide who shared with us the history and grandeur of both the buildings and the history that has been made within these walls. As I said no photographs allowed inside and if you sit down, especially in the House of Lords, you will be shot!!!
But wow, the architecture and interiors of the Palace of Westminster are quite incredible, the details, the painstaking craftmanship (apparently the designer went mad).
As the house was not sitting we were able to stand amongst the benches and touch the leather. The seats are the same as in your Bentley at home! Red in the House of Lords and green in the House of Commons.
It was an amazing feeling to be right at the heart of government.
I now understand how Parliament works, including some very weird and ancient customs.
The tour started by following the route taken by The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament; from The Queen's Robing Room, through the Royal Gallery and Prince's Chamber, into the majestic Lords Chamber. Then on through Central Lobby, Members' Lobby and one of the voting lobbies before entering the Commons Chamber then passing through St. Stephen's Hall and ending back in the old Westminster Hall, where Guy Fawkes and King Charles 1 were tried and where Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama have addressed Parliament in recent years.
An excellent tour. I will now have to contact my MP to take me on a more indepth tour, including climbing Big Ben and, maybe, have a drink on the terrace overlooking the Thames. Also want to Green Card him!
Now it was back to the Underground and on to London Bridge to visit Borough Market for lunch. We didn't have long so we grabbed a quick bite to eat from one of the food stalls. The market is next to Southwark Cathedral and offers some of the best food in London and at reasonable prices. It is only a 5 minute walk from the Globe Theatre.
A delicious lunch and on to the Globe Theatre.
I have wanted to do this for a long time, so thank you Alun, Gemma and Emmie for our present, and nothing could have made it more perfect than seeing my favourite Shakespearian play. A Midsummer Night's Dream.
We had wonderful seats G3 and 4 in the Upper Gallery with a fantastic view of the stage.
No photographs allowed whilst the Actors are on stage.
The play itself was amazing. The acting was superb. We were grateful to have seats because it was raining at the beginning of the show and the roof covered us. I was also glad we rented cushions because the seats are hard wood.
To participate in a Shakespeare production at the Globe is to truly participate - the intimacy of the theatre means the actors feed heavily off the crowd (especially the pit).
This is the way theatre was in Elizabethan times and you can really feel the magic that the theatre was then.
Tragedy or comedy - just get some tickets and go. Even if you are not a fan of the Bard, the experience is a must.
Seats can be hard but hire a cushion. Sounds a bit rough? Can be.....but this is a replica of what it was like and if you go with it, it is an experience you won't forget.
After sitting for three hours we needed to stretch our legs and backs so after the play we walked down the Jubilee Walkway towards the London Eye and Westminster Bridge.
We stopped at the Tate for a quick visit, it closed at 6 p.m. ( next door to the Globe and a good idea to use the toilets here instead of queuing for hours!)
Wonderful view of St. Pauls from the balcony at the Tate.
Could almost be a painting.
The Founders Arms is a nice place to stop along the Jubilee Walkway for a drink with superb views.
And then we reached Westminster Bridge where our wonderful day began.
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