In a nutshell, London is a really vibrant city with pretty much everything to offer. I like it. Which I suppose is good since we are probably going to spend quite a bit of time here next year. It seems like I hardly to got to see anything, and didn't venture out of the city at all. I had hopes of Stonehenge and Brighton. Next year if I'm here when the crops are growing I am determined to see a real live crop circle.
But here you go. I put up loads, oodles, possibly even a gaggle of photos.
While we were here Simon played 23(?) shows in 30 days, and did 3 or 4 radio shows. We didn't see him much, but luckily didn't go more than 5 days apart.
Here's Django looking a little sad because Simon was about to go out for a few days.
When Simon is away, we rely on Skype to keep us close. It's great for Django to see him, and it's free! Here he is 'chatting' with Simon's mom and Knud Erik, showing off a new truck.
This is in the neighborhood where we stayed in North London. I love the rooftops and the way the wires run to all of the row houses.
This is a view of Muswell Hill, where I spent more time than anywhere else. It was a short bus ride from 'home' and had the nice organic food shop, cafes and shops. It was also close to the beautiful Highgate Wood where we walked and went to the playground. I love the houses here, really beautiful!
To go anywhere of any distance the tube is the way to go. You get a card called an Oyster Card, put money on it and just hold up your wallet to the sensor and it deducts the proper amount.
Django and I ventured out the first week by ourselves to go into central London. Let me tell you, the tube was not designed for buggies (that's British English for stroller) or even wheelchairs! Only a few stations are set up for that. There are some escalators, which I managed fine with, but many places where there are only stairs. So you rely on the kindness of strangers. Start hefting the buggy up the steps and some nice person will come along and offer to help. If you have to make any transfers it's quite an ordeal and I definitely wouldn't want to do it everyday.
Getting artsy while waiting for a train. I was probably being seen by about 3 cameras there. London has the largest surveillance system in the world. I heard there is 1 camera for every 20 people!
This was Django's first time on the tube, on an unusually empty train. He was making faces at all of the sounds.
I thought this little abandoned house would be a really cool little fixer upper. The drawback though: it was situated directly between a gas station and a tube station.Ummm.. maybe not!
So London is a very very old city, and the streets don't make much sense in the way they are laid out. Back when streets were being established I imagine that they came about by being the shortest path from one farmer's place to another. I like to call it a cowpath city. This street name seems to confirm that idea:
So I took Django on the obligatory stroll past Buckingham Palace. Abundant opulence is fascinating whether you agree with the concept of royalty or not.
Getting closer.
I think this must be THE most boring job in the world.
A taste of the measures taken to separate the have-so-stinkin-much-you-couldn't-possibly-comprehend-unless-you're-JK-Rowlingses from the have-lesses, have-littles, have-nots, and the rest of the riff raff.
The new and the old in Knightsbridge.
So I was heading back to the tube in Knightsbridge after a walk in Hyde Park and spotted this. I believe it sums up the last 150 years of western civilization, no?
Okay, before I launch into some world domination conpiracy theory involving royal families and multi-national corporations, I'll stop, and leave you with this very sweet picture of father and son:
London times part II, coming soon...
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