Parliament

The brochure on Parliament begins, "900 years of history."  
How do you wrap your mind around that much history when we come from a country that is so much younger?  The buildings that we know as Parliament have at times been a palace, been partially destroyed by fires and bombs, witnessed debates, trials, pomp & circumstance, royalty and commoners and house a branch of government very similar to our own.  Henry VIII played tennis in Westminister Hall, the oldest section of these buildings, and President Obama addressed dignitaries in that same hall not long ago.  The saying, "toe the line" may have originated in the House Of Commons where two lines run parallel  in front of the seats of the opposing political parties.  The lines are two sword lengths apart and when debate got heated and swords were being drawn the speaker would shout,
"Gentlemen, toe the line!"

Denise, Bob and Big Ben

The details and craftsmanship in the buildings, iron and glassworks are stunning.