The Westminster Arms

Apparently bercow is complaining.

What? Bercow complaining? Honestly, Copper, you'll try and persuade me next that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

MrsSnippy, that's definitely preenworthy! Right now, Lewis Moonie is one of my heroes

Belgian food, Scary....I could go into raptures about it. We used to spend a lot of time in Northern France (relatives) and it was just a short drive to Ypres. Safe journey home tomorrow.

Lily Where we used to live in Belgium was a chippy with a sort of wooden chalet attached. You could get all the normal Belgian chippy stuff, but if you went in to the chalet bit, it was eat in and the food was cracking. If you asked nicely, he would whip up a sabayon for pudding from scratch.

It was bliss, out of the front door, across the churchyard, cross the road, across the car park, and dinner would be served. I could have a beer and not worry about driving as it was 3 minutes to walk home. I miss that. The owner was pleased to see us, which was nice.

So, steak Roquefort, friets and a kriek (cherry beer) for just under €25. No skimping on the triple cooked friets either. I have used the Flemish word for chips, as we were in Flanders.

Back on this side of the channel, currently in Kent where a most dispiriting meal was had at the pub attached to the Premier Inn. Home tomorrow, where the food will be better as I am cooking it.

Much questioning at Dunkirk today by the Douaniers as to what was in the car....easy, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, some beer, some crunchy peanuts and two massive celeriac. They are normally checking for migrants, not veg!!

I have a bottle of Camel Valley fizz ready for the 31st; after all, the English did sparkling wine 30 years before the French came up with it.

So, M25 tomorrow, but not as fast, furious, dangerous and nerve wracking as the Ring.

I am glad the HoL has more time on its hands, as Lord Moonie has found time to follow me on Twitter today
Drinks are on me

Thanks singing,
The only way Bercow can get a peerage is if no10 nominate him.
And yes it is convention for the retiring speaker to be elevated to the HOL
Labour can't nominate him. They can only nominate party members.
and no 10 are saying " we thought you didn't believe in convention "
Apparently bercow is complaining.
You couldn't make it up.
Definitely mocktail for me please. I've never had one.

Now that the HoL has found a little time on its hands (well, at least until formal negotiations open about the future relationship), let no one suggest that our noble peers have been making paper airplanes and snoozing on the red benches. Today, according to the Spectator, at least two of their number have been working on their portfolios.

"Former Commons Speaker John Bercow 'categorically' denied allegations of bullying after ex-Clerk of the House Lord Lisvane complained about him to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards."

Not a great day for Mr Bercow then. Nor for the BBC either:

"Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan warned the BBC that the issue of the licence fee was 'coming up more and more on the doorstep'."

In the meantime, after fits and starts, the LL has finally sourced some more alcohol-free mocktails for Dry January. I'm a teetotaller but the mojitos look quite good so I'll give them a go. There are some set some aside for Epic and Walking, but plenty left if anyone wants to try.

🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

Has word of my frock habit followed me over from the S&B boards? Posh frocks are not really one of my vices: most were inherited from my great aunt (deceased 1985) and are treasured heirlooms. Coats, on the other hand...

The blood orange Cointreau is a new one for me too: does it taste the same? Not much of a liqueur connoisseur, as my taste leans toward wine or whisky, preferably a Speyside malt when times are good.

Bet Boris will have a "Boris Bikes' merchandise pen somewhere in his pocket, along with a few dog treats.

WA royal assent!
YAY
👏👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

Surely “don’t mess with me, I’m from x” just says “imma beat you up”?

HardLy decent politics.

I hate the “don’t mess with me, I’m from X” thing. It plays into stereotypes that many people from the area would rather leave behind.

It still has to be ratified by the EU, of course, but as the BBC reported, Charles Michel will sign in behalf of the EU27 and UvdL will sign on behalf of the EP "in the coming days". Boris will sign on behalf of the UK.

It's traditional when signing something as important as this for the signatories to swap pens as a memento. I wonder if they'll do that?

I only remember this because I once witnessed the signing of a momentous management/staff agreement - one had an expensive fountain pen and the other had a cheap biro from supplies and a leaky biro at that - and I suggested that they observe convention.

I don't like Rebecca wrong daily either. Difficult to say why. She says "don't mess with me, I'm from Salford" but she is from the poshest part of Manchester and, allegedly her DH is involved in a company that supplies gear to fracking companies.
Yes she purports to want to stop fracking.

It's law!!! Cheers everyone!!!

Your do on the 31st sounds fantastic Lily please get loads of photos!

That Blood Orange Cointreau looks amazing, I've never seen it either. Currently working my way through a bottle of Red Velvet Bailey's that I got for Christmas (is RLB part of the Bailey's dynasty I wonder?)

I really would like a woman to lead Labour, but I think Keir will win. Every cloud has a silver lining though - that'll mean years more in the wilderness for them, the John Major comparison is undeniable

copper “ Any bacon harms left”

You’re not my GP are you?

That bottle looks amazing!

Just back to hear the news that the WA has received Royal Assent. I can’t believe it’s really happening!
I’m remembering a post I read from a lady who’s father had bought a bottle of champagne to toast our leaving but has since died without seeing it come to fruition.
I will be thinking of her on the 31st. It will be a bitter sweet occasion for her.

Plus, in the interview with LK last night she said she’d rather be curled up on the couch with her young child (than going out partying?).
Which is fine, but Leader Of The Opposition is going to be a bit of shock for someone who prefers to do that.

howabout isn’t it strange, the impression we have of people and how they can differ so markedly. She looks untrustworthy to me, but that’s personal bias. I don’t like her accent as it sounds both exaggerated and thick.
On a political note, I don’t like her being backed by McDonnell. But it’s difficult to extricate that element of the Party from the newer people coming up, I suppose.

Ah, right Silvery, thanks. I love Cointreau in cocktails but I've never seen your one.

Hospitality yes, the bottle is orange, the liquid is clear. I just prefer it to the normal Cointreau - I have a bottle on order with my supermarket delivery this week to treat myself.

I put a crate under my chair in the Arms earlier this morning, help yourself to a bottle.

Free speciality coffees all round in that case Lily

Excuse the swearing but I'm so fucking happy I could dance... except I use a walking frame and can't even walk lol.

I'm still keeping the champagne for the 31st but I have a bottle of bubbly my sister brought me from France - going to put it in the freezer briefly and then having a glass or two.

Cheers

Silvery further information required about B O Cointreau. Is it just the bottle that's orange, like Bombay Sapphire's blue bottle, or is the liquid orange? (I realise I'm far too invested in this, but I like to know these things)

The beautifully installed coffee machine is up, running and tested. It's working a treat. All types of fancy coffees available. The lovely, straight shelves house all the pods, essences and extra fripperies involved in posh coffees. Top shelf has miniature liqueurs, for which there is an honesty box. I've left a note for the missing LL to order some miniature blood orange Cointreau for our fussy patrons.

I've been wondering where our LL is. Last I saw she was taking DR down the cellar to look at her dodgy wiring. She hasn't returned yet.

Put out the bunting!

I might open something fizzy tonight!

sarcasm on sarcasm off

Just in...

*Royal Assent given.
*
That's it, folks. It's law.

☕️☕️☕️ and freshly cooked bacon butties all round.

Snippy, I am still laughing at you taking my post out of context. You make it sound much more interesting.😂😂😂
Any bacon harms left?

Well Dom Raab has now fitted the shiny new coffee machine and put up some shelves for supplies.
Said he was sorry to have missed the LL but left his private number behind the bar in case she needs to contact him. 😉💪🏻☕️☕️

When will you be able to inspect it Hospitality?
So I can have a large latte with that bacon barm.