Parliament -- Big Ben Doesn't "Tower" Tall After All . . . Harry Potter, Sir!

Parliament -- Big Ben Doesn't "Tower" Tall After All!

Who knew?  Built in the Middle Ages, the Houses of Parliament -- meeting place for the United Kingdom governments' House of Commons and the House of Lords -- is actually a palace!  The Palace of Westminster, in fact.  Located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, it's absolutely stunning inside.  The architecture and appointments are spectacular!

The first royal palace on the site was built in the eleventh century.  But, as much of London's historical places have, it suffered disastrous fires over the years so only a small portion of the original edifice survives; the current buildings were completed in 1870.  The Commons Chamber was also destroyed when bombed in 1941 during WWII and later repaired. The current, reconstructed building boasts 1,100 rooms. 

Tyler and I toured the Gothic buildings and learned some very interesting things.  I couldn't begin to get it all in here; I'd have to write a book, but some of the most intriguing things we took in are: 

- Big Ben (the name often used for the iconic clock tower) is ONLY the name of the bell inside the clock!  The actual tower is named The Elizabeth Tower.  Also found out that residents of the UK can make reservations to climb that tower and meet Big Ben.  On my "to do" wish-list now!

- The Monarch "opens" the sessions of Parliament each year; the Sovereign is actually the third part of the government. The golden thrones in the House of Lords where the monarch/spouse sit during that session are intricate and lovely!

- Elaborate robes, finery and sometimes those white wigs are worn in the House of Lords that opening day.  The Queen attends in full regalia.  UK's pageantry is quite something to be sure.

- "Black Rod" is the title for a man who traditionally carries a black, iron rod and raps on the door of the House of Commons to alert them that the Monarch (who is waiting in the House of Lords) commands them to come to the House of Lords to join the opening day. There is actually a dent in the door from years of knocking!

- There are 1,467 seats in these branches of government -- 817 Lords Temporal and Spiritual and 650 Members of Parliament (MPs).  House of Lords is:  Lords Spiritual (the senior bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal (not elected by the population at large, but appointed by the Sovereign - Queen or King - on the advice of the Prime Minister).  The House of Commons members are elected by the people.  We can't vote while we're here, of course, but it is interesting to get in on their political chat.

- The two houses meet in separate chambers of the palace.  Both areas are quite showy in decor with heavy woods on the walls & tables and one room with red/one room with green leather benches, inlaid marble floors, enormous paintings, towering carved arches, stained glass windows.  

- The only member of Parliament allowed to eat or dink in the Chamber is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who can have an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget (is that a commentary on the state of the budget?!).

- When making a speech, members are not allowed to put their foot across a bordered line in the carpet -- hence the term "toe the line"?

Etc., etc., etc.  Sooo much to take in there.  Fascinating to be sure!  I'd like to go back and watch a session of the House of Lords one day.

Harry Potter, Sir!

Wandering the sets of Privot Drive (complete with the cupboard under the stairs), the Weasley's Burrow, the Malfoy's home, Hagrid's hut, the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwort's Express, Tyler and I felt literally transported to the magical world of Harry Potter while visiting the Warner Brother's Studio in Leavesden, England!

Bursting at the seams with tens of thousands of props, special effects, drawings, models, interviews with technicians on the films, and even butter "beer" from Hogsmead (a butterscotch soda and cream drink), the studio houses just about everything you could ever imagine from the 10 years the Harry Potter movies were filmed there.

The talent and ingenuity that entire enterprise took is mind-boggling and such a treat to experience!  We pushed the cart at platform 9 3/4, stood in awe at the Great Hall, were schooled in potions class, "rode" the motorcyle and side-car, hopped the night bus, meandered up Diagon Alley, crossed the rickety bridge, and stood at the base of the enormous castle model (complete with tiny trees, lights and adornments)!

WOW!  It was amazing!  Now, I wanna reread those books!