Sunshine! Holiday! Wicked! (5/4)

What a glorious day today's looking like. The BBC weather site (checked every day) tells me it's going to get to 19 deg. Nice.

Well, after my early start I'm feeling quite tired. Was up just after my usual time and left at 8am for my day of exploring. I was going to go straight up to Hyde Park Corner (where the NZ War Memorial is) and then somewhere else, but on the way there decided that I'd find my walking route to work, especially as they're in the same direction...roughly. Before I tell you my experience, first let me say that I have a new daily mantra: "It is not a sign of weakness to get the map out; it is a sign of stubbornness not to". Yep, anyone who gets the feeling that I might've got lost wouldn't be too far off the mark. I didn't quite get lost, but I did end up doing a lovely big circle ending up pretty much near where I started. One happy camper was I not! Out came the map (which I thought I was used to pulling out as and when needed, but obviously not quite). Oh, I see. I just followed a street that branched off the one I was meant to be on. No biggie (just a waste of time...on a day when it didn't matter; no harm, no foul). Once I worked out where I went wrong, I started again. No sweat! Nice, simple path. Should only take me about 45mins each way, and given it takes about 35 on the tube when it's busier than normal and I miss the first tube 'cos it's too packed and get the next one, 45 minutes isn't too bad. Plus, it's exercise that's needed. The good thing about it, too, is that on the way to work I pass by an HSBC branch (so if I need cash, I can get it then), and on the way home it's only a block or so to Harrods if I need anything from there (not that I can see that being a happening thing, but there's also a Marks & Spencer). So there we have it. From next week I shall take up beating the feet to work again. It's only been what, three months of sitting on my bum being lazy (in terms of walking to work, people, I know I'm generally lazy ;) ). Who knows, a couple of weeks of this (plus the evening walks I'm going to take) and I might need another notch in the ol' belt! (fingers crossed).

After the "excitement" of being misled by myself and righting my wrong, I finally did find Hyde Park Corner. Surprisingly enough, it was by Hyde Park (who'd've guessed *that*!?). Took a few piccys, and wrote down the words on some of the 'sticks' (which, are surprisingly well designed - they're like crosses, but that was lost on me until I went to a different angle to take a pic and the tops of them (they're black 'sticks') are white; highlighting the crosses. Very effective.

^ see what I mean? Effective, no?

^ just one of the little things written on the 'sticks'

The memorial is diagonally opposite the Australian one - which I much preferred, just by the way.

^ Aussie memorial - there are thousands of names of towns/villages etc written on the stones (major places are visible, but the others are there in smaller print). Also, there's a water feature at one end (water features always win kudos from me!)

I read online before heading out that this year's ANZAC dawn service will be at the Australian memorial (they're going to alternate the memorials) before wreath laying at the NZ one. It was quite nice to see that there were wreaths & stuff at the NZ one already. From here I strolled through Hyde Park again. I thought I'd done a good job of exploring it when I was staying up at the hotel, but it turns out not. There's a lovely rose garden there - well, give it a bit longer and it'll look better, once the blooms are out. But the layout is nice - lots of benches etc. Strolled around there for a bit, then decided that I would go and have a nose around Harrods. Didn't go very far in there - went in the wrong door and was in the perfume and jewellery sections. Not my cup of tea. Found the food court - but not interested in all the choccys, cheeses etc...but the bakery appealed (as it was nearing lunchtime by this stage). Bought a cheese 'thing' - only £1.50 for this massive 'thing' (bits of bread and grilled cheese) - filled me up, anyway. After this, I strolled home (no more getting lost, phew!). Ended up chatting online for a good three hours to different people, so that was nice. Then couldn't be arsed doing anything else so sat in the sun and read a book. Just between you and I, reading is much easier when the sun doesn't force you to fall asleep! Had dinner (pasta - mmm) and continued reading for a couple of hours before bed.

Not much really, but there you go.

Oh, that reminds me, my online phone statement was available, so I didn't need to call BT. Turns out that when someone checked the website before getting the phone connected, they didn't read the small print (which, incidentally, isn't that small) where it says a £125 connection fee applies. Ahh - that's why the account's high, that and the fact that I'm paying for March AND April (makes sense). Everything is revealed, including my stupidity again...

London seems to be bringing out the stupid in me more and more. *sigh* ;)

Seeyabye