Going up to London

Travel? 

Me?

On my own???

I desparately wanted to go to London to meet up for lunch with some radiant buddies.  But didn't know how.

I was scared.  Of travel.  Of moving from my very narrow comfort zone.  Of taking a chance.

But, after much coaxing I went anyway.  I took the train and was met by a friend who helped me negotiate the London Underground.

That was 5 years ago.

I've kept in touch with my buddies and been up to London pretty much twice a year since.  Yesterday was another lunch date. 

This time it was a breeze. 

This time I wanted to see some sights as I'd never 'done' London before.  So I walked to Buckingham Palace (map reading is not my strong point!) and this was the sight I was greeted with:

I could not believe how lucky I was.  To try something different.  To push outside that comfort zone.  Look at the big, wide world out there. Just look at it - it's magnificent!!!

I also walked to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament with the London Eye in the background.

And even negotiated the tube on my own for the first time - well, I was running a bit late by then!

Lunch, as ever, was totally fabulous!  To be with such wonderful friends who know exactly where you're coming from is priceless.

And then I walked back to the coach station via the Royal Albert Hall

Catching sight of the golden, glowing Albert Memorial in all its splendour into the bargain.

I nodded off on the coach.  Because I felt safe enough to do so.

What a day!