London for residents

We are once again renting a regular house on a normal street in a residential area of a big city.  It gives one much more of an authentic slice of life here, so we look at it from (more of) a resident's view.  (We are not resident enough to get a key to the local private garden, too bad.)

Well, today the view was quite rainy -- not really the 'less than 1 mm' forecast by the weather network, but a light misting giving way to a more serious dribble by early afternoon.  The rain cancelled the parade in front of Buckingham palace, but the kids did get to see some horses, though not to hear the band as they march for the changing of the guard.  We visited the Royal Mews -- carriages and horses, for which there was, thankfully, no line up.  (The queue for visiting the Buckingham Palace staterooms was very long, but who is interested in just some fancy furniture and pictures.  Certainly not a 4 year old and a 2 year old -- if you can't bounce on it.)

Yesterday, the arrival day, was fairly hectic, but all the connections with cab drivers and rental agents went smoothly -- thank you Joanna for your great organization.  No one had managed to get a lot of sleep on the plane, (Clara had a total of 1.5 hrs)  so it was an exhausted group which went to bed shortly after dinner and bath and slept well all night.

The house is well located -- just a few blocks from Hyde Park where most of Joanna's racing will happen later in the week.  We are on a quieter side street so there is very limited late traffic noise.  It has a living room, dining room, kitchen, half bathroom and garage on the ground floor; two bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor and a very large bedroom wih ensuite full bath on the 3rd floor.  Clara has her own room on the second floor with Mommy and Daddy next door.  Kieran and I share the top floor space.  There is TV, internet, washer/dryer, dishwasher, frig and stove with oven.  I cannot guess at the age of the building, but there are many styles of structures in the area from many eras.

We find ourselves close to Sloan street -- every name brand fancy designer has a shop on this street, and just beyond that, Harrod's main store with all that entails.  I don't think there are many bargains to be had.

I am being faithful about wearing shoes inside the house and the boot when I go out.  It does make walking more of a chore, but with a stroller and buggy board on the back, I am not lagging behind.  So far it is the puddles which make for a problem.

And for dessert this evening, we stopped at Harrod's for some ultimate chocolate choices: for Shammie, for Clara and for me!  (Joanna is taking notes for after her race)