We started the day with a full English breakfast at the Whitton Cafe just underneath our apartment. 5 pounds including toast and coffee. Bargain- and delicious- eggs, bacon, black pudding, mushrooms. We sat at a table on the footpath which was a little chilly. My feet were freezing in sandals- I thought about going up to get my boots but was too lazy and it's supposed to be 26 later today.
Across the road to catch the bus to Joe's. Angela is at work and Eli is having his morning nap, so we started planning where we want to go and when. All that we planned was we'd all go to the Houses of Parliament when Eli woke up; we'd head down to Windsor Castle tomorrow afternoon, and have brunch at the Aqua Restaurant at the Shard on Sunday- really looking forward to that!
So off we trekked to the Houses of Parliament via Richmond. The tube emerged at Westminster right out the front and I have never seen so many heavily armed police and security men in all my life- and Parliament isn't even sitting! Joe's little scissors which he carries to cut open Eli's milk were confiscated and he had to collect them as we were leaving. Anyway, it was nothing like I had imagined- nothing like Parliament House in Australia- but the history on the audio was fascinating. Of course you are not allowed to take photos inside, but I would have loved to. Everything was old- rich red leather for the House of Lords and oxford green for the House of Commons, just in case a member wandered in drunk and went to the wrong place. :-) Small microphones hung down from the very high ceiling, and speakers were embedded in the leather seats. The seats were long benches with the government sitting on one side facing the opposition on the other. There's not enough room for the 630 members of the Commons so some have to stand or sit on the floor! Amazing!
We headed to the cafe for a pretty coffee while Eli drank his bottle. We ate our sandwiches which we had bought at Sainsbury's at Richmond on our way. All three of us had a huge sandwich, a drink and a packet of crisps for less than 10 pounds total! Bargain!
Back home to Joe's for a delightful Indian dinner which made up for its lateness by its deliciousness. Cheese naan, samosas, and butter chicken was my order, but we ended up sharing everything, so it was a real Indian banquet. After another bottle of Prosecco (half price and quite quaffable), a glass of chardonnay and a glass of red, I was ready for bed.
Across the road to catch the bus to Joe's. Angela is at work and Eli is having his morning nap, so we started planning where we want to go and when. All that we planned was we'd all go to the Houses of Parliament when Eli woke up; we'd head down to Windsor Castle tomorrow afternoon, and have brunch at the Aqua Restaurant at the Shard on Sunday- really looking forward to that!
So off we trekked to the Houses of Parliament via Richmond. The tube emerged at Westminster right out the front and I have never seen so many heavily armed police and security men in all my life- and Parliament isn't even sitting! Joe's little scissors which he carries to cut open Eli's milk were confiscated and he had to collect them as we were leaving. Anyway, it was nothing like I had imagined- nothing like Parliament House in Australia- but the history on the audio was fascinating. Of course you are not allowed to take photos inside, but I would have loved to. Everything was old- rich red leather for the House of Lords and oxford green for the House of Commons, just in case a member wandered in drunk and went to the wrong place. :-) Small microphones hung down from the very high ceiling, and speakers were embedded in the leather seats. The seats were long benches with the government sitting on one side facing the opposition on the other. There's not enough room for the 630 members of the Commons so some have to stand or sit on the floor! Amazing!
We headed to the cafe for a pretty coffee while Eli drank his bottle. We ate our sandwiches which we had bought at Sainsbury's at Richmond on our way. All three of us had a huge sandwich, a drink and a packet of crisps for less than 10 pounds total! Bargain!
Back home to Joe's for a delightful Indian dinner which made up for its lateness by its deliciousness. Cheese naan, samosas, and butter chicken was my order, but we ended up sharing everything, so it was a real Indian banquet. After another bottle of Prosecco (half price and quite quaffable), a glass of chardonnay and a glass of red, I was ready for bed.
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