new routemaster

Double deckers has a special place in the British heart. About three years ago, the old mayor tried to introduce bendy buses. Due to the very awkward lay out of the city and the unfortunate incident of several of the buses lighting on fire - the bendy buses have been banned and this is the new routemaster look.

Oddly enough - that's my bus (both in Clapham and our new move to Battersea!) L2 doesn't think it's that strange that our bus was the one that was featured. It goes all the way from Central London through all the nice southern boroughs. And for all we know - it could have been a famous route (or the route that the designer lives on)

I hope this means that our bus will be the first to change.

puffster

you know when you look a photo and say wow that's a puffy face. That's my face right now... I've finally gotten to the point of no return. Be happy about the recent weight gain or do something about it. I have chosen the latter. I was going to to give up cheese and chocolate for Lent but it now starts on Monday. Also on Sunday - the eager looking for a bicycle to take me to work and home. I want the above bike but it's out of my price range - so off I search Gumtree (like Craig'sList) for something similar. Exercise will be a daily activity and I will get back to the weight that I was when I met L2. I'll share it all with you - 123 lbs. I'm currently 141. That's 20lbs to lose in time for beach season.

I'm also buying this bikini to motivate me. It's a fantastic shade of blue and i'm hanging it up right where I can see it so I remember to keep going!

Good luck me!

under a blanket of snow

It's snowing in London. And I mean a proper storm - not just a light dusting. It's quite amazing to see as we've had about three inches overnight and the city has completely shut down. The city was barely built for excessive rain let alone the cold wet stuff.

Of the tube lines - only three are running, there are no buses and it's laughable if you say you want to take a train. My tube line was running so I got in late but I'm here. Needless to say I am one of few.

I'll put some of my own pictures up later but below is a picture of the Canary Wharf station thanks to the BBC.

let out some steam

Thanks to this been-seen article, I'm dreaming of train travel today.

I'm in love with a non-pressurised environment that won't wreak havoc on my system, the gentle rocking that puts me to sleep and the fact that this travel won't add to my ever increasing carbon emissions.

Perhaps the south of france by high speed train is a necessary trip this summer?

Image via

variety on a double decker ad

when a friend moved to London in the spring, she fell in love with the Westminster area and we repeatedly met so she could stare at Big Ben and parliament.. (now she's a regular visitor inside and saw the Dalai Lama).

However on one of our first meetings there, we sat in Churchill's park and took in the sight of multiple double deckers telling us that without us believing in God we would have eternal damnation. First thought – public service vehicles would allow such inflammatory and clearly one-sided remarks. Second thought- the church is big here and does still have the money. Third thought – would they allow this for other religions like Islam?

Well apparently we weren't the only ones that questioned the buses ads. The HAS have decided to take out a four week (maybe more) ad on 'there's probably no god' but you can go about your day no problem. I'm looking forward to seeing something different than Christianity or pop culture on the side of my bus.

sidenote: they are bringing back these old school double deckers to replace the bendy buses that had a few too many fires....

tomorrow: escape

leaving from the city airport tomorrow. I've tested Stanstead, Heathrow and Gatwick so far. I really only had City and Luton to go. I'm very skeptical of Luton so I doubt I will go unless it is the ONLY possible way. Apparently City is a breeze and so much closer to us (equal I guess to Gatwick but still). I'm headed for some fresh air........ I couldn't need it more! I've not packed yet but have thought of everything I need to bring, printed out airline and car hire details and I'm definitely ready to leave London! Hoping to bring back more sketches to add to our tourist collection (sketch of a vernacular, sketch of traditional Swiss building) a few pashimas, a great italian leather pair of shoes and maybe a little chocolate.

Have a great weekend - I'll be back next Tuesday. Until then enjoy this very 80s shot of London City airport. Water is definitely used here! Image via

lacking the packing skills

I always wait till the last minute to pack. When moving to London - I had to wait until we had moved into L2 parent's house to pack my clothes. Needless to say, things were stuffed, I brought stuff over that really wasn't necessary and L2 had to bring another suitcase when he visited in October. Planning for Romania was relatively easy as I didn't feel like I really needed to have good fashion. I had seen the styles of Eastern Europe. I can compete any day with stuff I wore in 1999. However, Switzerland concerns me. I've gone with a colour scheme of cream, green and black. I still want some gladiator flats (despite the fact that they shorten my legs) and shorts (despite the fact that no other europeans wear them) are on the list because of practicality reasons. The gladiator flats will help me fit in, but the shorts --- I fear they will be my downfall...........

At least I represent with my canadiana luggage. L2 and I are packing in one side a piece (in the smaller version than this). I've also picked up travel size everything. ... though it doesn't match - I fell in love with this luggage tag too. It also feels a bit canadiana with the deer - maybe I should get it as a gift for one of my many visitors? Image via

Defending and Insulting in the same breath

My day to day life always involves the London tube. It's how I get to work, it's how I get home from work and it's often taken at one point on the weekend. I've recently noticed that it's gotten quite a bad reputation amongst people who go on it everyday and people who haven't been on it either recently or never had the pleasure. I understand the everyday people's frustrations. I have my day to day frustration with the tube. I once waited 17 tubes before I squeezed myself like a mouse into a small crack between two people's legs. However, I've noticed that people really don't value this system like they should.

The tube is fantastic mode of public transport. You can live 45 minutes away from the city and still never have to own a car because the tube will always be quicker. It's a complex system that is eons old. You wouldn't expect your refrigerator to still run even half as smoothly as one tube line does. At the end of the day, the tube will always be there. It may be late - but it will come.

Finally, if you travel with regular Londoners, you'll notice there are common courtesies. On my recent escapade with my huge luggage - I never had to carry both of my luggage. Someone always helped me man or woman. People will get up and let a pregnant woman sit down and not grumble. There's a good chance that if you look faint - someone will offer you their seat before you go down like a tonne of bricks. And sometimes, men notice that women's heels aren't great for long-term standing and will also offer their seat. It's politeness and it happens daily on the tube.
So once and a while I grumble and insult the tube and the lack of air conditioning. But the commuters always renew my faith that there are good people in London.