We were able to find our way from the train station to Annabelle's place without a map as there are maps at the bus stops and outside train stations. Every street is well signed with signs telling you if the street leads to another street further along. Very helpful, and such a change after places that we have visited that have no street names at all.
One of the most noticeable things after Eastern Europe is the number of trees everywhere and another is how green the grass in the parks is (and the cold wet weather of course).
London looks a lot cleaner than it used to and there didn't seem to be as many grey, dirty buildings as when we were last here. The central part of the city has a lot less traffic than it used to have as people now have to pay to travel through the central area. At some times of the day it seems deserted!
Spotted the St John's ambulance bicycle response team heading back to the local hospital.
There is a lot of construction going on in the central city. Signs on the hoardings around the sites promise responsible work practices: they will keep the dust and noise down and not disturb neighbours peace outside work hours. The city has begun to get ready for the Olympic Games in 2012.
Evan and JohnThere are 5 in John's family and coincidentally 3 of them were in London at the same time. John's sister Joy was visiting with a daughter and caught up with 2 other daughters who are working here.
Evan, John, Joy, Christine, Lil
John's brother Evan and his wife Christine were visiting their son Matt who is on a working holiday here. We all had lunch in a park in the drizzle and in the evening all the men went to see an under 21 soccer game at the new Wembly Stadium.
Caught up with our friends from Te Puke, NZ for a roast lamb dinner! Gwen and Paddy are working in London for a few months as their children are now independent. They get away to look at places in Europe whenever they can and have been able to catch up with Paddy's family in Ireland.
