London

It is fun being in a big city again. Crowds are a little overwhelming. We had better get used to it, because this is nothing compared to our next stop - Tokyo.

We have had leisurely starts each day as the off peak (after 9.30am) travel cards are so much cheaper. It is amazing how much time is used up just getting places!

I don't know where the time has gone. We have spent 3 full days here, which is not usual on this trip. We spent two days doing the general touristy sights together: Hyde park, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalger Square, Oxford st, Harrods, NZ shop :), St James Park etc, etc... Enjoyed coming across the very cool NZ memorial on Hyde park corner. We did a trip out to reading to visit our cousin, Deborah. Another evening we had a catch up dinner with the other cousins; Steven (and girlfriend and flatmate), Rachel and Belinda, at Stevens nice flat.


Today Byrdie did a trip to Cambridge (I know Cambridge is supposed to be a lovely city, but I just couldn't face another train ride getting there: it is enough going into London each day...) and I did my own thing in London. I went on one of the one europe "free" walking tours, timed to see the changing of the guards. then the sun came out and it actually got HOT (well very warm at least). so i spent quite a while just lazing and people watching in trafalger square. before hitting the markets and shops in the area. (i couldn't believe the crowds and queues in one very cheap - like a giant glassons - shop; long queues for changing rooms and checkouts). The day flew by and before I knew it, it was too late to go to the national gallery, Tate Modern museum or British museum as I had planned.... oops. we still have two days here though.

Earlier in the week, I took my bike to the local bike shop in Amersham. It was about 5pm and a guy was leaning outside blocking the front door. "are you closed?" i asked. "no, just bored". I then asked about the straight forward job of replacing my brake pads, now or maybe tomorrow? very defensive. "You'll find that all the bike shops having booking systems. We can't guarantee when we can do it. I have over 70 repairs this week... etc, etc".. that's funny. i thought he was bored, with nothing to do... In the end it was left on Tuesday to be ready by tomorrow (Saturday) and I'm getting a new chain. Today I rang just on the off chance it was finished. The guy I talked to, couldn't even find my bike job. So fingers crossed, tomorrow it will be there and ready to go to Japan.