Kensington

Landed in London and found Margie. We waited and waited at the designated cafe for Alex but he didn't show. So we caught the train to Kensington High St via Paddington. Peak hour is always interesting with a ruddy great suitcase! English stations apparently don't have elevators or ramps. So we had to bump the bags down the stairs and lug them up again on the other side. Not fun. Wonder what the disabled do? Probably throw themselves down the stairs and crawl up the other side with their hands. Visions of a Monty Python type sketch now.

The view from the train wasn't exciting - could have been any city. Same tired old buildings/light industrial type places, and same graffiti.It wasn't until we walked out of the station at Kensington that it hit home - I am in LONDON! It was the sight of the big red double decker buses that did it. And the black taxis.

Our room at Kensington Close is kind of squishy for 3 people and 3 large bags and other paraphenalia.

We were pretty wrecked from the flights so spent most of yesterday wandering around Kensington or lolling in our room. Had lunch at The Muffin Man, a cute cafe just up the road from the hotel. Last night we went in search of food and found the Prince of Wales pub. Had cod and chips with a piece of fish that must have come from Moby Cod. I couldn't eat it all.

There was a lovely old church across the road - St Mary's Abbotts. As we left the pub the bells were pealing joyfully and loudly. Nice of them to acknowledge our presence :)

Having problem stuffing the contents of my flights bag into my suitcase but managed it in the end. I either need less crap or a bigger bag - one the size of the Queen Mary's hold.

Just had a huge buffet breakfast. Just hanging around waiting until 8:15 to get on the bus for the train to PARIS!!!