7 July - LONDON --

Thursday, 7 July - LONDON !!!

Established in a lovely place and room for the rest of my time "abroad"
and I actually have an address !!! (should you wish to send any postcards.... GRIN)

susan ross
c/o Imperial college London
Prince's Gardens - Watts Way
South Kensington Campus
London, SW7 1AZ
UK
spent time at v&a -- lovely lovely museum. Love all the design stuff, starting with the juxtiposition in the entrance hall of a chihuly chandelier and in the balcony, a rood screen of wrought iron. Weather has been iffy - sun for 15 min, then rain, then cloudy and spits for 2 hours - mix and repeat. So see what tomorrow brings to see if I go far or close (as in 500 yards to v&a !!)

got my whistle whetted during the stall for a room - but so much more to see. also roamed harrods' and dinner from there. (take away).

NB - any take away is MUCH cheaper than eat in - eat in has 20% VAT added - and places like Pret A Manger actually have 2 different prices posted on the shelves - and ask you before ringing it up whether it is take away or eat in.

While roaming (and naturally that included harrods, just down the street from my location around the corner from V&A at Imperial College (and can recommend for central lodging!) I got takeaway for dinner -- interesting... Harrod's food halls must have enough americans who eat standing and walking that there are now signs posted asking you please, do not eat food bought in the market in the building.

of course found yarn, across town at John Lewis and Liberty (yes, the liberty of Liberty fabric designs) - and in fact, found on a very nice sale the rowan 'calmer' yarn - 50% off!! - and it was all I could do to walk away. I have yarn for knitting now, and my stash closet is many miles away. AAAARGH (and also saving money and space for Knit Nation....It's tough...but....

Even this very spartan room (a dorm single) has an electric pot on the desk. I really like this idea... ??new appliance for home??

I can tell I've been here awhile - I'm starting to look the correct way for traffic at streets, and am starting to identify the coins by shape/size rather than having to read everything but the pound notes.

AND have put a stake in the ground for coming back - I now have a Harrod's Rewards card !bought 2 cd's at Harrods - (my room has radio/cd player - no tv) though might have been hasty, BBC radio 3 is lovely classical. Also at Harrod's I was taken by the signature bear for 2011 - didn't get. Even though this is the last port of call, I still have to be able to get to the airport...

cheers

saw a LOVELY bear today at Harrod's. I'm tempted, but how to get him home??