Day 10

July 20

Today I realize I was underestimated myself. I never travel alone before. So I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve heard many stories, many advises, I was doing it like a challenge. But what surprise me is how I go with my plans without too much hesitation. I am comfortable alone in a restaurant. I am not to shy to ask for informations. I appreciate travelling alone. That doesn’t mean I prefere to travel alone tho. (I have a good partner at home which who I like to travel.) There is positive points in both situation. Saying that, it will be a thrill meeting Chantal and Raymond next tuesday afternoon.

Today I went on a London Walk : Old Hampstead Village. We met Adam at Hampstead Underground and he entertain us for 2h with many funny anecdotes. I was impress by the « window tax ». I never heard about that before. In 1766 The House and Window Duties Act was passed by Parliament. This meant that every house in England had to pay a certain amount of tax per window. The more windows you had, the higher the tax, so many people decided to have many of them bricked up. This can still be seen on the walls of old town-houses everywhere in London. Adam told us that this tax also exist for awhile in France but to avoid to pay French people have create french door with their windox. Doors weren’t taxed…

Following our guide Adam

After the walk I head up to trafalgar to have a light lunch at national Gallery dining room. There is 3 eating places in national Gallery. The view from the restaurant is fantastic !

In the park

Then I came back home, grab a book and when to do what I was wanting to do since a long time : read in St-James park. AHHHHH! What a pleasure. And there was and orchestra doing a free concert. Couldn’t ask for more. I was home early and didn’t go out because it is chilly tonight in London. I cook myself a real good meal and rest inside my flat.