something-to-remember: L-O-N-D-O-N or the stage for your holiday

Yes, this town never fails to show me new sides and as I have friends in town it is always great to see what to discover new or going to places I still have never been, thought I have been many times in London now.

Again a rainy day and a storm warning from Gatwick and so my start was unsure and a bit of a bumpy ride then. Thought I had worse flights.

But being much later in town as planed it was just to be flexible in making my decisions.

As I arrived at London Bridge station, I went on to take a little walk through the South Bank to come to Waterloo station, where a dear friend of mine was waiting on a side of the station I have never been before and so it took me actually more time to find him, then the walk from one station to another.

I really love the South Bank. There is all I want to see and always meet again when I am in London, from the Tate Modern, to the Globe, to the London Eye.

But behind the Waterloo Station do people live and that was nice to see and as it also looked very like you imagine it, it was fun to stay at my friends home and area. Could also see from the window the Shark, as the trees have lost their leaves.

That afternoon we went to the centre to Soho to eat in the Gay village and to walk around, look into stores and see what Oxford Street has to offer.
The shopping malls have been dull and far to many H&M stores are in that area. Not a god sign I believe and usually shopping used to be nice there, but just now it seems very without fantasy. The musical theatre on the other hand, well there are many of them actually, all have been successful and a lot of people stood outside to come inside to watch the plays.

The Carnaby Street was once a very good secret tip and you could shop alternative and special clothes there. Now it has changed totally. Blinking lights are fine but expensive shops and nothing special, alternative or something -a -like is there to find. Very sad.

I so much remember the old way it was in the 90'tis. But Soho has nearly changed to the same thing, thought it is still Soho and the Pups are nice and the clubs are fun, but the shops have changed and it is much for tourists and people with money.

The apple market was surprisingly nice and with mistletoes hanging around, I had to smile and wonder. Thought all the stores are very expensive there too.

Actually being around Soho and several streets from them made me feel it all is like a stage. All looked so similar to watching a movie in that area. It felt like being in a movie, not in a town. Wonder what people feel, who are going through this area every day. Do they still see?

My friend and I had a very nice afternoon and eat good food and later went on to drink our coffee in a more quite place which we found not far away from Soho. Thought it was a stormy day, it felt like, the english people complain about something, which was not really that strong. I remember heavier storms in Berlin.

Then our way was to go back and behind the Somerset House over the bridge where it has been very, very stormy and hard to make pictures of the skyline. The Waterloo Bridge is big and long but my decision for next day was made. Go back and take again some pictures in daylight.

Next day we came back but with a turn to Gabriel's Wharf, which is a little tip for amusing you, shopping nice and being next to the river and if you go round the house you'll see it is very old and very nice.

Then after taking pics again, we went into the Somerset house and went through the portal and there we have the winter fun starting. Skate on Ice, a x-mas tree and x-mas shopping inside. How wonderful this was. Coming out of the Somerset to the street named Strand, you'll see the little Saint Mary -le-strand church in the middle of the street. No explaining to get. It just stands there.

Now the Embankment was behind us and we walked on as our goal was to come to sky gardens. We booked our time before and you should do it too as it is not easy to get time to go up. So book in time!!!!

But we had time over and drove to science museum and it is as last time very interesting and we also watched two of the 3D movies - one was -The unseen and hidden world- and the other one was -Being in space-. Thought, I still must say the 3D movie about -Undersea- is best. But watch them anyway as it is fun and meanwhile you can also eat popcorn or if you don't watch it go to the museum coffee.

Sky Garden then in the late afternoon is a spectacle up on the 35. floor, big, bigger then you believe and with palm trees, three restaurants and a bar more then just a place to look over town and see the sunset. Unlike the Shark. It is a place, a place to be, a place to meet, to celebrate and if you go to the restaurant, take the Darwin. Good food. Not too expensive and friendly and nice service. We had not booked a table but have been able to get one. The view was special and our time up there in the sky, between the clouds has been very amusing and nice.

Later we went down to stroll around and took a coffee to go.
Big towns always have an open coffee shop. :-)

But it was not that late and still time to do something. What can one do in the middle of the week? Go out dancing was not the plan so we went to cinema in the Odeon. Saw the -Lady in the van- and had fun that way. Yes, one should always go to cinema once in another country.

Next day my way went to Hammersmith a very nice area and less tourist are to find and so you also see more how people do live and there are nice ways to take a walk at another river side. But on the way I stopped by again in Soho in the Greek Street to take our breakfast in the Maison Bertaux. Go there, best french breakfast, cake and so on in town I dare to say. Yummy and all self made and it is really very english and french in the same time being there. Little, with a bit of hustle and bustle in the morning, but then, charming and an original which is seldom now in that area. Just go there!

In Hammersmith then, I was there to see the River House Trust again and to meet another friend.

Of course we went into a Pup. England with not going in one of them would not be real. I just don't understand how one can drink beer before ten or eleven, or even 12 o' clock.

Soon the time was over and I had to travel to airport, thought it seems always the same, the Gatwick Express can take a longer time then the normal Southern line train. Anyway, I was back in time and that was good as we had a lost baggage and police with big guns went around and all had to wait. I had also seen the many flowers in front of the National Museum by the way as Paris was not far away and long ago.

But I am one of those who believes in now more then ever to live our life is best we can do instead of hiding.

LOVE & LIGHT

...and of course PICTURES!