This morning we set out to see a couple of flats wearing shorts and tee shirts, the sun was shining and it was nice and hot. Once in Wimbledon shopping center, we turned around and set out for home again to get something and burn some time until the landlord was ready to meet us. By the time we'd walked home (5 mins), it had turned overcast. So I changed into jeans and grabbed a jacket. We set out again to see the flat.
The landlord was a strange looking dark man in a suit and a bowler hat. He had an unusual accent and an unusual way about him. The place he showed us was a smallish flat with six people living in it and we would have made it eight... with only one bathroom! The kitchen was old and scummy looking and the place wasn't all that cost effective -not bad, but not great. He saw our disinterest and told us about another room just next door. We walked into this other house and had a look.
This was a copy of the other place with six people living there, except this kitchen was newer and clean. There where two bathrooms and two separate toilets. Our bedroom was smaller than the first one, but is big enough for us. There was no real lounge or living area and we didn't really get to meet the potential flatmate's. The good things about this place is that it is very close to Wimbledon (tube station, supermarkets, movies, hairdressers, bars, pubs, fastfood and restaurants..) and the rent for the room was very cheap.
Nicola reacted positively to this place, perhaps we'll take it.
After that we went into Oxford Circus by tube to look at some clothes for me to wear to work starting Monday. By the time we got off the tube, it was raining. Luckily there was a very enterprising man selling umbrellas just there so I bought one.

First thing we did in town was stop to eat. We found a very authentic Italian Restaurant called Bella Italia. Nicola had a pizza and I got the spaghetti bolognese. Both dishes and the ambiance where very good.
Satisfied and less rushed, we set out to shop. We walked up and down the bustling street popping into this clothes store and that until I found some pants and shirts that where adequate, and called it a day.
We walked back to the tube station under the umbrella, dodging the spines from all the other umbrellas and came across a long line. The line to get into underground was almost around the street corner and all the way down the stairs. Once we made it into the station we parted company. I was headed back to Alex's and Nicola was going to a Comedy club in Central London with some of her friends.

The tube ride was something else.

The lines moving down into the underground where long and moved very slowly.
The lines waiting for the trains where long. There where hooligans fighting and security dealing with them. Once on the train, we where all sardines in a can. It was so packed, I couldn't even reach a handle to steady myself against the sudden g-forces of stop and start. It was very hot and muggy. At each stop, people spilled out into the underground and where speedily replaced by more people than there where to begin with. I felt like I truly was in the rat race for the first time. I reached my stop and had to get onto another train to get back to Alex's. The lines where just as long and more people yelling and fighting. This train was just as packed, but I grabbed a better spot. After a few stations went by, I noticed a quiet voice on the intercom telling us that this train will not be going to Wimbledon because of a gas leak somewhere. Great! Now I would have to figure out buses.. or call Alex to come get me from wherever I would end up. After a few more stops we where informed that the leak was cleared up and we would in fact be ending up in Wimbledon... yay!
When I finally reached Wimbledon Station, I was very relieved to get off the train and walk in the rain back home.
Bangers and mash for dinner and a couple of beers and here I am warm and content telling you all about it. Nicola should be home soon, maybe we'll watch a movie or something.