Have finally started to get settled into routine. Only took about 3-4 days to find a flat in nearby Stratford. It's fairly warm and comfy and after a couple of initial hitches (the shower wouldn't work and there were no heaters attached to the walls) we are now fairly settled with the bare necessities. We have had a few trips back and forth to the shops a couple of blocks away to buy bedding, kitchenware and food which was a bit of a shock to the system having to walk everywhere. We are enjoying the easy access to the tube and buses but every damn station is either up or down at least two flights of stairs. My legs are constantly aching which must mean it's working the seldom used muscles. Last weekend was our first opportunity to sightsee and thankfully the weather was beautiful. Cold but a clear blue sky for both days.
We arrived by tube to Westminster station and walked out of the exit and there was Big Ben right in front of us. I was rapt to see it so close. It is a most beautiful clock and with the sunshining on the black and gold it was breathtaking. Rod couldn't stop laughing at me as I was so excited to be there by the river Thames looking at Big Ben on one side of me the Houses of Parliament beside it and the London Eye on the other side of the Thames. Mind you, I was not conspicious as there were hundreds of people doing the same as me taking photos. We spent the whole day there wandering around Westminster Abbey and we even went to a 3pm evensong in the abbey so we could hear the choir singing. We sat in the area where they have the little red lamps where the dignataries sit for a wedding and it was magnificent to hear the church organ and to hear the choir (all men) sing. The abbey is beautiful and just the sheer history of it is hard to believe. After that off to #10 Downing St to see the PM but the whole street was behind big gates and we couldn't get near it. So we found the local pub and had fish and chips and a hot chocolate. We then wandered up to Trafalgar Square and watched the nightlife till we were frozen and then caught the tube home. Sunday we were up and away to see Buckingham Palace. There was a sign out at the gates to say Changing of the Guard every alternate day (yes we were on the wrong day!!) but we saw the guards in their grey coats and big fluffy hats standing on guard. we also saw alot of Police with machine guns (I think) hanging around watching us. The city is on high alert for a terrorist attack at the moment so there are police all over the place. We wandered down to the mews, found a royal souvenir shop (much to Rod's disgust) and of course I bought a teddy bear for Jamee lee. Then through St James park to see the squirrels and wildlife,orange and pink pelicans included. We found the Royal Horse Guards Museum and stables and watched the changing of the horse guards. The horses are magnificent animals and have to be a minimum of 16.2 hands high. They are black and beautifully groomed with highly polished tack. They were stunning. Back on the tube and home to rest the weary legs.
We agreed to meet Neil and Anne and go to the Portobello Market. We walked past the house of George Orwell author of the novel 1984. Then we approached the market. An amazing experience of antiques, collectibles, clothing, food etc. If you collect it, you can get one here. I have never seen so much silverware, teaspoons, card collections, moneyboxes, toys, books, watches etc. Absolutely amazing place. In the clothing area we saw 100's of fur coats, stoles, hats etc. Pearl necklaces by the mile and brooches and other assortments by the acre from every year starting in the 1800's. Then the food area assaulted our senses with sights, smells and sounds. 
