Spotting celebs at The Ivy

Ali's valentine gift this year was one fun gift and one normal gift. On Valentines Day, I handed over our new titles. We are now Lady and Lady Shackell--Smith of Houghton Manor, Cumbria. The normal gift was lunch at The Ivy in London. We love an excuse to go posh. Even the Starbucks opposite was posh, they have ipads and table service. The Ivy was lovely. Our coats were taken and we were escorted to our table for two, with crisp white linens. Something I quickly realised is that everyone else was looking out for the celebs too, so we were all watching each other. The food was wonderful but we couldn't possibly have dessert so nipped to Patisserie Valerie on the way home for dessert a couple of hours after. A great Valentines.

Suffragette tour of Parliament

Something I have wanted to do for a long time was a tour of Parliament, it intrigues me. When I saw a Suffragette tour, I couldn't resist. We went through security and then waited in Westminster Hall which is like a fridge. Apparently it's that cold all year around. Our tour guide was also dressed as a suffragette which was a lovely touch. We started at the Victoria Tower, where the Queen enters Parliament for the state opening of Parliament. We then went to the robing room, which is usually off limits to the camera's on the state opening of Parliament. We saw some very majestic rooms, the Lords Chamber and Commons Chamber. The public gallery now has a glass screen due to powder being thrown by Fathers for justice. What surprised me was how small it is, it doesn't look that small on the TV. I also wanted to see where Black Rod bangs on the door and it's slammed in his face. Strangely I was the only one that requested this. It's the best bit of the Opening of Parliament.