Day 1

There's a Tube depot not far from where I write, and from time to time you can hear a prim 'thwoot' emerging from its yard, which reminds one of nothing so much as Thomas the Tank Engine. No doubt the Fat Controller is directing things over there, and if Ringo Starr should suddenly start narrating as I sit at the kitchen table, I shouldn't be at all surprised.

From the mild summery aspect of Melbourne to the bitter cold of snowy London, it took about thirty hours, with a stopover in weirdly humid KL. Everything went smoothly (although I didn't sleep), and I dumped my thirty-five kilograms of luggage gladly at Emily and Roy's doorstep in Morden just before 8am on Friday, having learnt in the previous twenty minutes the complete and utter insanity of walking London streets without appropriate gloves. If I'd had to do it any longer, I wouldn't be writing this because I'd be suffering from frostbite instead. Anyway, they were still in their pyjamas, which made me feel less conspicuously plane-ridden, and they fed me cups of tea and poached eggs and after a long, hot shower I was quite human again.

I was feeling energetic, so Emily and I decided to explore neighbouring Wimbledon and its attendant Common (where the Wombles live, apparently). We took the bus (I may have emitted a small 'squee!' when I saw it, which didn't help my plan to exude quiet, practised sophistication at all times: I did, after all, live in London for twelve months. But it was a RED DOUBLE-DECKER BUS! They never get unexciting) and on the way back it started to snow; itty-bitty flakes at first, and then whirling bigger bits, and by the time we got home there was a thick layer of the stuff. This was extremely pleasing to me, but less so for E&R who had plans to catch the Eurostar to Paris that evening. Actually, I should explain why - they were off to a Christmas party in the Loire Valley, thrown by the now-retired British Ambassador to India and his wife. On a related note, I also learned that Roy's naturopath treats the Queen. I include this ticklish trivia for your edification. Anyway, snow plays havoc with the trains around here, but less so the buses. They made it, however, so I have their charming apartment to myself for five days, and this was the view that greeted me this morning:

I haven't ventured out yet, but I plan to visit Westminster today, because it would be so pretty, and also because I want to visit the Abbey. I thought I'd start my London time with some pompous gorgeousness. Also, St James' Park is not far away. The only thing that stops me from leaving immediately is that I'm not quite psychologically prepared for the cold - have to do mental warmups first - and also I haven't had a cup of tea yet.

Till tomorrow!

(ed: the other thing that stops me is the EXTREMELY HEAVY SNOW that has just started falling!)