Days 3-5

So I’ve officially had my first bout of true English weather & surprisingly – I actually liked it. Australia has this nasty sting to the cold and by lunchtime you’re stripping off because it’s too hot. England is just this constant, but not unbearable, cold. I’m assuming I’ll change my mind once November swings around brr... lol.

Seeing as the train was out of service and I didn’t trust myself not to get lost jumping across transfers and buses, I went to Osterley Park. Basically it’s this huge chunk of land to explore.

I surprisingly had fun exploring the grounds with Nutsy & the duck poo – lots of duck poo.

I also got my first view of English towns/streets. It’s pretty much exactly like in the movies. Identical, charred brick houses lined nice and close together.

Food seems pretty expensive here. I exchanged $50 AUS for pounds & it seems I’ve blown half of it on breakfast & lunch (for 1 day)   :s

It seems I’m also hooked on Panini’s. Their cappuccinos are also huge. You have a choice between medium & large and the medium is big enough that I can’t even wrap my hands completely around it lol.

Got my UK mobile number only to find my phone isn’t unlocked & therefore useless. London was nice – kinda like any city but prettier. The buildings are older and more Victorian looking – all lined with vibrant purple flower window boxes.

The parks are the most noticeable thing of all (that and the weather). Their weeds are patches of small and bright white, yellow or purple flowers.

Went exploring/wandering (glad I’m in no hurry for the amount of times I’ve had to double back coz I was lost) lol. The streets are annoying. They don’t run in straight lines like in Aus. & the street signs aren’t on posts at the end of each corner, they’re these measly signs pinned to the sides of random buildings. I also found that the exact same/never changing street will have three names. The first unchanged 100m will be Pentonville, the next 200m Gray Inns Rd??? Wtf?

Getting very fit & thin very fast. I walk everywhere (including 2hrs of getting lost & retracing my steps), & I’m living off 2 meals a day. Thanks to the hostel I’m in at the moment – breakfast is free.

Went wandering down to Buckingham Palace & missed the ‘Changing of the Guards’ by only seconds, because (wait for it) – I was heading in the wrong DIRECTION! Took a few happy snaps around the area, including Big Ben & saw my first ever squirrel and goose?

Got up at 4am today (Tues), bounced down to my FREE breakfast and made friends with a few people getting ready to depart for their own Topdeck tours that morning.

After breakfast (6am) I walked 2hrs down and around to Shakespeare’s Dome thingy? Was pretty nice. Because of the early time, I was the only one there (+ a security guard and a small performing arts group). Security cameras everywhere so I was too intimidated to do any crazy stunts/poses up on the stage lol. Got lost on the way back (how unusual) and my 2hr hike back turned into 3.

Unless I get super bored tomorrow, I think I’ll take it easy and just lie in all day. Gotta rest up for my Topdeck Tour Thurs!!!