Visit

I got a train from Waverley at 7 am, and arrived at KGX just before midday, where I met up with one of my former OU colleagues who was going on the same jaunt. We'd been invited to a guided tour of Westminster by a former OU person who happens to be a lord these days. We timed our arrival exactly as requested and were let in with surprisingly little fuss (our names were on the door!). Airport type security and had to leave our bags in the cloakroom but then JS appeared and we were off! It was quite the whirlwhind tour, up and down staircases, striding along corridors, occasionally at JS's instruction walking very slowly and looking to the right/left as we passed a room that we weren't allowed into. By that method we caught a glimpse of Macron addressing MPs and peers in the Royal Gallery. Some amazing Pugin tiling on floors, painted panels on walls and some really showy Pugin wallpaper (can't remember the room). We were only allowed to take photos in some places and we got rather confused - hence to be on the safe side my blip (and the first extra) is of the stunning roof in Westminster Hall, which is open to the public. It was built in 1097 ( Edit: but apparently these hammerbeams 'only' date from 1393!). We saw St Stephen's undercroft chapel and then JS directed us to go behind an unassuming door into a....broom cupboard (we had to go in one by one). It's the cleaner's cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid on the night of the census in 1911 so that there would be a woman's presence recorded in the House of Commons on that day. There was a brass plaque (inside the cupboard) describing this, that was put there by Tony Benn. Passed along several corridors that seemed to contain the overflow from the House of Commons Library - a lot of books. We went into the gallery of the House of Commons for about 15 minutes and heard a statement on the enquiry into the Horizon scandal, with several impassioned comments from MPs. Then JS got us into a little gallery at the side of the House of Lords where we heard some discussion of Iran and what they are doing in terms of locking up dissidents and family of same. It was totally absorbing - we were all struck by the general politeness. Oh, then a brief visit to Portcullis house, that ugly building across the street that you can see on the left in the second extra. Lots of offices and committee rooms there. Then JS led us, through a rabbit warren of passages/doors/stairs until we emerged on the terrace - where we allowed to take photos, but only pointing outwards! (third extra). After that we were treated to afternoon tea in the Lords dining room - delicate sandwiches with the crusts cut off, etc. The tea was excellent and much needed to quench our thirst by then. Finally we were led out via another confusing set of passageway and directed through a door which was the lords private entrance to Westminster tube station! We emerged there somewhat dazed. 

The whole visit was a blast, and quite revelatory. Security was massive but extremely understated - JS said that eyes were on us at all times and we had to stick close to him for fear of being challenged. But even the security folk were very courteous and pleasant - and the general atmosphere in the little bits of debate we witnessed was far from the bear pit of PMQs that are probably the notion most of us have of parliament. 

I got back to June's place and joined her sitting out in her cool, shady back garden. She had only returned from NZ herself early that morning, but heroically got a salad together and we had a cold glass of wine. Her eyes understandably started to close around 9 pm but an early night was very welcome for me too!

Edit: See CarolineJay's comment below for improved hammerbeam info!