London

And what an adventure it's been so far.  We had to drive right into the very centre of London to collect house keys from my cousin.  We're staying with her, but she's got a job interview in Manchester tomorrow and won't be home until tomorrow night.

It's only been 2.5 years since I've driven through Central London, and only 15 years since I lived in (and owned a car in) the inner west of London, but nothing prepares me for the challenges that driving through this congested city brings.  Thank GOD for Austin Powers (the faithful voice on our TomTom GPS machine) who got us through without TOO much swearing and without ANY incidents involving anything outside our own vehicle!!

(actually..... it was kind of fun!!)

After 5 hours in the car.... still in Central London

Tower Bridge taken from the car, by H

The Tower of London, from the car, taken by H

If this is the queue for the London Dungeon, imagine the queue for the London Eye tomorrow!

Looking back at Tower Bridge from the car, taken by me (the driver).  Ooops.... didn't notice that policeman at the time!

Sheesh.  So we found our way to Hackney..... which is the only part of London that I really don't know AT all.  I've lived in West London, had friends and rellies in North and South London, but never really gone anywhere NEAR the East of London.  Which meant that I really had NO idea when trying to find my cousins' digs.  But we FOUND it!!!!  Yeah!!

She's got a funky little flat in a really diverse area.  The boys and I took a walk this afternoon, on our way to find dinner, and they both held my hands the entire way.  And both want to be back in Glasgow (or Southwell, or York).  I think they'll change their tune after a visit to the London Eye tomorrow, but right now both are completely overwhelmed by how overcrowded and polluted London is.  And the fact that we're all on our own in a completely new part of the world.

My cousin Naomi will be here tomorrow night.... and we'll have seen some of the more famous London sights, and then I'm sure all will be right in our world again.  Right now, we're watching Top Gear DVD's and hunkering down.