Banned

I met up with old colleagues from my clinical supervision group at a conference welcome reception in London this evening. It was an ideal opportunity to catch up with many old friends who were attending, as I no longer belong to the organisation, but could attend as an invited guest.

The reception was held at the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons, Palace of Westminster and guests were given a guided tour, no less. A most interesting experience and once again people remarked on how viewing parliamentary areas on TV gives the impression of great space, but in real life these areas are much smaller. Photography was not allowed within the building, so that squashed my blip plans for the day!!

It was an excellent evening, despite my misgivings as I left home. It was snowing by the time B dropped me off at the station about 4pm and was only 3 degrees. Decidedly chilly!!

We had been warned about the security check and possible delays before entering the building. We waited in line outdoors for 30+ minutes, fortunately it had stopped snowing / raining by then, but was very cold.

As my handbag had gone through airport security at Changi Airport in Singapore on Sunday evening and the contents were unchanged, I didn’t anticipate any problems. But……I had taken this small padlock off my carry on case to get my iPad out for scanning at the airport, dropped it in to my handbag and completely forgotten about it!!!

Padlocks are not allowed so it was taken from me and I was given a receipt to collect it on the way out, which I dutifully did. As I was still wearing my visitors pass at that stage, the policeman had to observe my exit of the grounds, in case I doubled back in to the building. There was great discussion and hilarity, within our group of ladies, as to what could be done with a padlock so small (I can get the tip of my little finger in it, but no more)!!

So now you know!! If visiting the H o P check the guidelines on the internet to see what you can / cannot do!! We were instructed to take photo ID, but no one looked at it.

I had thought that it might be the crochet hook in my bag that was the offending item, as I had a hook and ball of wool, but it wasn’t. I had taken them to pass the time and keep me awake on the return train journey, as I was concerned that I might nod off at such a late hour. It worked and I did the head and body of a chicken during the journeys.

B collected me from the station and we just made it home before midnight, so that I could take this blip.