"London Travel - A Personal Journey Of... " a London Travel Page by scotlandscotour

Here we go... London. *deep breath*

As I think about London, having written hundreds of tips for Scotland, I realise London is a country all of its own. Both because it is unique and because it has so much of real value to see. Its taken me years to explore London - and the journey is just begun!

My journey to London began, aged 7. I was put on a train at Prestatyn, North Wales, on my own, and collected at Euston Station in London by my Aunt Iris. I felt like Paddington Bear. I therefore named my own teddy bear Euston Bear.

Over the years I visited London, visiting relatives like my aunt in Richmond, my sister at college in Greenwich. I got to explore the museums, parks and palaces. I got to chase pigeons in Trafalgar square!

When I was 18 years old I left home faster than a champaigne cork leaving the bottle. My excitement on the train from Wales to London was such I kept my head out the train door window for the first hour!! (Like a dog!) Maybe that was the beginning of my mohican hair style - back in 1984.

I lived in Kensington, and in the surrounding country - in Windsor, Ascot, Fleet and Hertford. London became a love / hate relationship - I cycled its streets, went to every museum and gallery, trawled markets and dark alleys, found it's underbelly and its secrets.

Over time, the dirt, noise, pollution, inequality and filth took its toll on my sensibilities, so I moved into the countryside - but like a moth was drawn back into London's glare frequently.

All this happened in the 1980's, when London suffered under the then government's policies and the heart of the city was wrenched from it in a cruel and violent act. Ashamed of this - I left.

London has not died as I then predicted - but it has instead found 'remission' or a 'stay of execution'. There is hope. It still has the cancer of inequality eating away - somewhere inside - but outwardly London is once more a place to visit and enjoy. I no more want to live there - it's too expensive,expansive and congested. But to visit - ahhh, now you're talking!

I work on tips for places and views that are free (or at least very cheap) - the city is too expensive - so I try to guide you to all you can see for no expense - just a lot of leg work or effort :-)

After reading my LondonTips, I really recommend reading Scotland Travel Tips