I'm back from the big smoke ... and have had a happy day shopping! I managed to complete my xmas shopping at the first port of call of the day Buck Palace Rd. I headed to that Guider tractor (?sp) beam known as CHQ where I got all the PH interest badges to hand out on Tuesday, tried on the new activity trousers as I've been meaning to get some new navy trousers for uniform so that I don't have to wear my horrible polyester trousers or black jeans. Usual size was huge and the size smaller was a bit tight in places ... so next door but one and into the basement to try on the Scout version and Scout smart trousers ... hmm here you go up on the usual size but in the end the smart trousers were the comfiest so that's what I have (and they had 20% off so were quite a bit cheaper than the Guide trousers I tried). No doubt this will annoy and cause comments from some guiders in the county on the realisation what I wear as uniform! Hmm the person who served me did point out that maybe I'd start the slippery slope to the 'dark side' ... I shall resist even if my county annoys me often! The thing that concerns me the most is that Dr T has the smart trousers for his uniform .... I shall try to avoid his 'n' her wearings of them!

So onto Aldgate East and a wander up Brick Lane (aka Banglatown) to the 24hr bagel shop for supplie and yummy aple studel for the train back home. Then the bus to Tottenham Court Rd through the City (No.8 bus gives you a wonderful tour of the place!) stopped off at the stationary heaven known as Muji and a couple of other shops around there for browsing before heading to Covent Garden for finally sorting out a new battery & strap for my basic swatch (by going here I have a funky strap!) ... no more having to look at a calendar to keep track of the date! A visit to one of my fav shop's ever, The London Transport Museum shop where I got my new work bag that I've been looking for while now. For those of you who until recently visited my flat would know I had a poster size London Tube Map on my wall. I can't tell you while but tube/ metros and other large city transport systems (Paris, Lyon, San Francisco, Vancouver) just make be get a buzz hoping on and off, its the city girl in me (the San Fran cable cars are the best as you hang on, however this scared our mum when she saw us happily going for a pole on the edge rather than a seat!). A wander onto The Strand via all the outdoors shops ... a couple more shops and it was the train home!

All in all a very enjoyable day and pretty much no crowded tube trains :). However after all this excitment I have a day of housework to do tomorrow.