A trip to Buckingham Palace

November 3rd, 2008 | Published in Family | 2 Comments

I had a bit of a crazy week last week. I was in London for the last part of my BBC Leadership course (all about disciplining and harrassment, not very pleasant), but on Thursday, me, my Mum, my Dad and one of my sisters, Ailse, went off to Buckingham Palace!

My Dad was getting an MBE. It was completely surreal to be honest. We got to drive right in the gates of the palace, and then we all got shown into a big room where everyone was to get their awards. Ailse and I thought the palace would be posh, but we had no idea. It was like as grand as you can imagine multiplied by a million. Huge chandeliers and mirrors and very, very ornate.

There was an orchestra playing as well, and then the Queen came out and gave everyone their medals and so on. I felt really proud of my Dad. He said the Queen was really nice as well, and she had quiet a long chat with him about why he was getting the award.

After the palace in the morning, we all went to the Gherkin building (or the Swiss Re building, or 30 St Mary Axe, whatever it’s called!) We went right up to the top floor and had lunch in the 40/30 restaurant. It’s a bit of a weird place to be honest as it’s a private restaurant – it’s not like you can just walk in off the street. There were only about seven or eight tables in it too.

The views were totally amazing of London though – even though it started to rain half way through the meal. I don’t get afraid of heights, but if you went right up to the window and looked down, it did make you feel a bit sick.

Anyway, that was a pretty surreal way to spend a Thursday morning for me. Congratulations on your MBE Dad!

Simon

Yup that's where I was! Pretty amazing!

Sachin Threja

Good to read all about your trip to London.
I would also like to share a similar one. Last year when I was working in Swiss Re office in Folkestone, Kent, I got an opportunity to visit the Swiss Re's head office which 'The Gherkin' @ 30 St. Mary's Axe. Initially we had a meeting at 12th floor then we went for lunch on the same floor near the glass window and the view was really amazing from the 12th floor.
Later the people with whom we had the meeting took us to the top of the building which has a 'Bar & Restaurant' while going there does seems to be a direct lift, we had to change at a floor below the top floor where there was a private hall. Then we reached the top floor and the view of the London city from there was 'AMAZING'. Later we clicked few pictures, but when we looked up at the dome of the building, it seemed a bit shaky although it wasn't :-)
Hope i can share some pictures here!
I would always cherish the moments spent in the beautiful building 'The Gherkin'.