Big deal today was the Houses of Parliament. So after a pretty good breakie we were off on the tubes to Charring Cross again to see it in day light. From Trafalgar Sq we walked up the Mall to Horse Guards then out to Whitehall and past Number 10. There were many police about because the Unions were moaning again about the fact that the world is suffering a shortage of money, but they don’t want to help they just want more money and no cuts to anything. Like we live in a magical world that because they think it makes it so – idiots.
Had a meeting with our guide to keep, so we headed over to the Big House. Stopped on the way for a tinkle, until we found it cost 50p. 50 sodding pee for a tinkle. Crazy, I’d prefer to wet myself than pay that. Anyway we survived the wee scare, and trundled through the ridiculous security screening to get into the House. All these security personal are tossers. Whether in the airports or at screenings like this. They all have the same holier than thou attitude, brisk and borderline rude. Hateful little people, who know no one dare say anything in these situations cos they’ll “do you” ;o)
Into the hall and time for a free wee, then into line for the tour. Tour takes about an hour – and takes you around the Lords area, which is dripping in gold and fabric, then through to the Commons area which isn’t. It does all have the pomp and ceremony around it – which I think I think is okay – but the Commons area is completely different in appearance. I thought the most interesting bit was seeing the marks Black Rod made on the door and the area where the dudes go to be in the “Yes” camp or the “No” camp. When they have to vote like this a bell is rung across the Whitehall area and they have 8 minutes to get into the right room for the vote to stand. Its like a grown up and slightly posher “Runaround”, but without Mike Read. Tour was good, interesting and not too long. I snuck a sit down in the House of Commons, even though we weren’t supposed to – ain’t I naughty.
After this the tour began, because of the imbeciles “protesting” it took longer than it should have to get the tube, and we headed out to Aldgate East. From this tube we walked east to a little road, which looked very dodgy indeed. But it soon turned into a slightly less dodgy road called brick lane – very famous for the Chinese and Indian “restaurants” all along the street. Also, not quite so famously for the street art, or graffiti as us New York hipsters call it. Too much choice for lunch, so we picked a street vendor and had a nice bit of chicken and noodles on a little bench. After food we had a quick look at the banksie car in perspex. And a little look at an exhibition by some bloke called Shepard Fairey, no, I didn’t know who he was either – apparently her did a picture of Obama.
Onward to the top of Brick Lane and across to the North West to a place called Arnold Circus – which my dad wanted to see. Back then to Spitalfields Market – which has been all revamped, so we had a beer at a traditional London pub called Los Iguanas. Back to Aldgate tube, then next stop – Monument – which I didn’t realise was called Monument because there is a Monument there. And I also didn’t realise it was a Monument to the Great Fire of London which started in a little road called Pudding Lane, which is just there!> We paid 3 quid each for the pleasure of walking up 311 steps – it was quite tiring, and the top made me feel dizzy!. Once done, off to Bank to have a quick look at the Bank of England.
If we had arrived earlier we were going to have a looksee at the Bank of England museum, but some might same fortunately we were too late, and after a quick look around we took the tube a couple of stops to St Pauls. Once here we walked past my head office and to a little place called Postman’s Park – which is really worth a visit if you are in the area. Not much here but a very pleasant place. After this we headed off for a pint. First place we went was just about to serve us, but told us Kate had to be out at 5:00, as it was 4:55 we declined a pint and walked elsewhere. Next stop was Madison Roof Top bar, which was high up, high up in a lift with glass sides. That’s scary ;o) What was more scary were the prices. Luckily not my round, but two wines a three quarter pint of heineken and two soft drinks was a wopping £25. He nearly bought a bottle, but after she pulled the cork out he inquired on the price – £36 she said – just stick some in two glasses then he said.
After that expense we went a stop down the line and got to the Citte of York, quite an old pub, with secluded dark wood alcoves – again policy is no children after 5:00, but we snuck Kate into an alcove and the rest of us sat at the bar and had adult conversation. Sam Smiths pub, so cheaper prices a good £10 cheaper. Couple of pints here, then it was time to walk around the corner to Red Lion street and Isolabella’s for nosh. Another top table 50% off grub offer, so we all ordered with blatant disregarding for prices and had a pretty good meal. Got a great table again and left full and happy if a little tired. Great thing about the place was the slowness, which could annoy you, but we were in no rush so it was great to have a big pause between the starters and mains…
Back on the tube again, and 20 mins later we were home to bed. I was knackered and slept almost immediately, not everyone did. Sunday morning saw a couple of swimming off in the pool, a big massive breakfast and back on a packed train at 12:37 – the London visit for Autumn was over.