Amid a national rail strike in England and consequent delays and cancellations of the Eurostar, my train miraculously left on time and arrived on time at London’s magnificent St. Pancras International railway station. I love arriving at St. Pancras where descending from the high-speed train that transported me there, I sally forth into the great heaving historical city of London.

A week is never enough, ten days would be perfect, but I managed to do most of the things on my To Do list. This included walking. A lot of walking which was difficult on the first two days because of the unexpected heatwave. 35°C it was, with glaring sunshine, unrelenting heat and no breeze. Monday was cooler, and became cooler still as the week progressed.

I choose to stay in Bloomsbury for three reasons: it’s within walking distance from St. Pancras, it’s very central, and it’s a fab neighborhood filled with great shops, restaurants, leafy squares, parks, the British Museum and splendid architecture.

Lamb’s Conduit Street is a happening place with up-to-the-minute shops and eating-drinking places:

I’d cross half of London to get myself to Gail’s. Fortunately, I don’t have to because there are Gail’s dotted around the city. I went here for my cheddar-chive scone and morning coffee. £6.30 it cost me. London was always expensive, but since Covid and Brexit it’s become even more so.

MORE TO COME, stay tuned for Part 2.