London in springtime
I arrive in London on a perfect spring day. There is a chill in the air but the sky is cloudlessly blue. Flowers are everywhere, with crocuses and daffodils peeking through the icy ground. The air feels invigorating after Melbourne’s tropical humidity. It is good to feel cold again, particularly as I am rugged up in my fur coat.
My hotel has many good features including a good location close to Paddington Station, it is warm and safe, and run by a delightful Indian man called Bobby, who is an extremely helpful and congenial host. [Brian, you will be pleased to hear that the name of this establishment is Barry House B&B]. He shows me to my room which is located at the top of the three-story house with no lift. It is as if the cleaners have been reluctant to visit it, and I can’t say I blame them. I am afraid to put down my bags for fear of catching something. Nothing seems to have been dusted for months. Bobby obligingly moves me to another, more comfortable room when I ask him.
My new room is one of the larger rooms in the hotel and is decidedly cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. I had pre-booked my accommodation from Australia, but not completely trusting the internet, I had decided to only book for a week. Wandering around South Kensington this morning with Margaret, I have decided that that is where I would like to stay. The French Institute and the Psychic's Institute are both located there, not to mention a large number of cafes and restaurants. It is an area which seems to be popular with the French. I also had the best hot chocolate there this morning and have vowed to call back for more.