Afternoon In London

After a short nap we wake feeling - well sort of rested - but ready to go.  Sure we so easily could of rolled over and slept some more but we knew that we would be out for quite a few hours and would probably wake up at 3 am.  Plus we had arranged to meet up with friends.

Last August when we were on the Caribbean Princess we met, Luke, Neil and Robert who are from London.  Like you do you hand out your card and say "if you are ever in (fill in your city) make sure to let me know". 

Well Neil did just that!  Neil works as a Senior Doorkeeper at the House of Commons and promised us a tour if we ever made it to London.  

So guess what!  We were planning on being in London so we emailed and arranged to meet him and his brother Robert, along with Luke for a tour and a drink.

We walked back to the Stratford Station, purchased our Oyster cards at one of the machines loaded with enough money to last us the three days.  So much easier and less expensive to have an Oyster Card than to pay each time.

Big Ben is under all that - getting a face lift

We took the Jubilee line right to Westminster and walked around for a half hour before our 3:30 meeting time at the House of Commons.

Westminster Abbey

The city is full of an energy.  It is something we have missed since we moved to a smaller community.  But I know we also get tired for the crowds/noise too. 

It is definitely fall. It is cool out and thankfully we brought layers to wear for this exact occasion.

House of Commons

We meet up with Neil at 3:30 and clear through security and are given our visitor's pass.  Luke and Robert are there too and Neil leads us a private tour.  

Both Bernie and I are blown away.  Just the fact that we are here, where so much history has happened.  The people who have walked these halls.  The Royalty that have been in these rooms.  We got to see the dressing room where the Queen arrives and is dressed in her regalia, you know her crown and all.  

To see the marks in the door where the Mace is struck to open parliament.  To actually get to touch the table in the House where MPs and Prime Ministers have spoken.  Wow.

We so appreciated this, and thank you Neil for doing this (I know you are reading). 

After the tour we headed to the pub that is part of the grounds that the staff go to.  We enjoy a few drinks and some good times.  

Dinner was at a yummy Italian restaurant at Waterloo Station.  Again a good time, good food, and great company.

It is so wonderful when you make connections like this on a cruise and you get to follow up and see them again.

We hop back on the tube and head home.  

I think we barely got changed for bed when we were both fast asleep.

However I woke at 1:45 and was wide awake.  Darn jet lag - and stayed awake until 5 am when I finally fell back asleep.