First Day in London

The view from the plane, before take off. It wasn't a very comfortable plane ride, but I tried my best to sleep. There was a lovely old British lady flying back to the UK from Australia and we talked a bit.

I arrived at Heathrow at 6 am, and I managed to clear customs and get my baggage relatively quickly. By 6.50 I was at the tube station waiting for the tube. I'm actually moderately proud of myself for figuring out how to take the tube to Holborn station and then how to walk to my residence, thereby saving the 30 or so pounds a taxi would have taken. 

The interior of the train. The train was nearly empty at Heathrow, but soon filled up.


Me on the train,looking slightly dazed. I was actually quite tired, but didn't dare to sleep, after hearing all the stories of the UK being less safe,and of things being stolen from unsuspecting tourists. So I had to stay awake to 'jaga' my stuff.

After getting only slightly directionally challenged, I got to my accommodation relatively safe and sound. I say relatively because, the tube stairs were a bitch. I had to carry my friggin 30+ kg of luggage down this horrendous flight of stairs. Finally at the last 10-15 steps or so,some one took pity on me and helped to carry it down the rest of the way. My biceps are still complaining now.

After checking in, I managed to get the internet working. I then:

1.went to the bank to get my ATM card

2. go down to Oasis sports centre to check out the gym, swimming pool and other facilities

3. went to carphone warehouse to enquire about getting a phone

4. After that, I took the tube to check out the rink. Enquired about lessons and talked with some peope about skating, the coaches there, the sessions etcetcetc.

5. Then I walked to the skate shop and got fitted for my boots and blades. I got my new pair of skates!!!

6. While waiting for the blades to be fitted to the boots, I walked down the streets past Bayswater station. There were lots of interesting shops.

I know some of my friends (ahem ahem) have been very interested as to the 'eye candy' in the UK. I am lols. There are there are. But I forgot to bring my camera out when I was walking around. (And besides, I'm not that despo)

But I do have pics of even better eye candy! (For me,at least). My new skates!

Going to be freezing my ass off

Just realized that the temperature in London now is 10-18 degrees celcius. Thats bloody cold!

I made cheesecake!

Successfully, and it was my first time ever baking a cheesecake! It is/was good. And I have pictures =)

Here's the cheesecake in its tin, with a section cut off. I used a tin instead of those panfoil or sth thingys that you are supposed to use for cheesecakes cos I didn't want to buy one when I'm going to be leaving in a week or so. Anyway, it turned out all right.



Cutting the cheesecake....

And tadah! Lovely slices on a plate. You can see my eager brother already reaching for one.




Actually I was a bit worried about the cake turning out badly, it being my first try and all. And to compound matters, I was pouring the cream cheese mixture halfway when the phone rang- it was my father calling- of all times. What does he want? He wants me to turn on skype? OH no. So I stop pouring the mixture, so the pan's like half full with this gloppy mixture, rush to turn the computer on, and realize that the mixture's a bit lumpy. Ok turn on the machine again. rush to computer. Oh dad, you can just talk to gramps for a while. I have a vim (very important mission) now in the background. I'm making cheesecake!

Ok. Anyway,
since the shop only stocked cream cheese in 2kg units, that was what I bought. So I have a surfeit of cream cheese, which means I will be like baking every other day this week. So judo juniors! (all of you lurking and not commenting), you can expect cheese cake some day this week when I pop down to visit and say bye. I'm planning on baking oreo cheese cake and toblerone cheese cake. It be good!