London - Thames River - 11th Feb 2016

Hi again. I only got one canal run in while in Birmingham as work kept me busy but had a chance meeting which was pretty cool. While waiting for a crowded bus in the evening with a cluster of people that didn't seem to quite know what bus they wanted, I look beside me and this woman is looking at me and is smiling, very animated, waving her arms and I'm like, um, what is this all about? I look behind me thinking I'm going to embarrass myself if I say something, but no, nobody there. She says to me, Tibet, Tibet, but looks like she is trying desperately to say something more but is either about to have a seizure or is having a brain fart....

I'm waiting for more and then finally she says bike trip, Tibet, and it finally dawns on me who she is and who the man beside her is. 12 years ago I went on a cycling holiday for 3 weeks, quite intensive, in Tubet, and we biked to Everest base camp and cycled over 3 of the highest mountain peaks in the world, around 6,200 meters or something. It was an amazing holiday. Anyway. We hugged and laughed. Amazing she remembered me. 12 years is a long time after all and just cool to run into someone random like that.

She and here husband got on my bus and we are chatting and I'm asking about what has happened, any more cycling trips, etc, and she says, not really, I'm more into running now, and my face lights up and I say, really, me too. I love ultra running and she is all animated again, saying she too is into fell running and long distance running. We could have chatted all night after that I'm sure but the bus got to the train station and I had to say farewell at that point and with a hug and a kiss and a business card they went their way again.

And here I am now, a few days later, in London. I lived in the UK a very long time, 18 years, and being back is like putting on a pair of well worn shoes. There is something comforting and familiar about it.


The apartment I'm at is incredible. Right on the Thames, 16 floors up in a set of modern buildings that have decks jutting out like the bow of a ship. Right below me is the river boat dock at St. George Wharf and as I look up river I see the London Eye. This is city living at its best but looking at the cost of these units I'd need to win a lottery or two. I've spent many hours while working just looking out at the views and this morning I looked down and saw many many runners and decided I had to join them so donned my gear and headed along the river for 45 minutes until I got to Tower Bridge. Lots of tourists out and about but no real problems, just a little traffic jam by the popular tourist spots.

3.5 miles from apartment looking to Tower Bridge (obviously) across river into The City

Running along Tower Bridge to Tower of London and along Thames River Path on North Side of Thames

View from apartment towards London Eye (in red in middle)

River bus on the left which I used to take from Greenwich to London Bridge and walk up to city (towards the Gherkin building you see in the middle)

Oh look, it's me. Heading home along North side of river

London Eye - was dodge the tourist on this side so took the quieter way home

View from 16th floor of the apartment up the Thames

 I met one guy wearing a banking shirt I recognized who was in training for the Brighton marathon and was out for a 15 mile training run. It was great because there were runners everywhere, single women, blokes, small groups. I really enjoyed it. After that I schlepped my way up to Piccadilly and had a wander through Fortnum and Mason and smelled some delicious perfumes and candles from a company called Roja. There was a lovely scent, strong, but totally delicious. And for 350 quid it bloody well better be!

I went into the Penhaligon's perfume store in the Burlington Arcade and smelled some of their new fragrances which were amazing also, one called Blasted Heath, especially I intend in introducing in my boutique!

Better go for now. Have to figure out some more runs but maybe I'll do that one again, or head up river next time, but most of the popular landmarks are where I went today.

Enjoy the minus 30 degree weather in Canada while I basque, relatively, in +10. Ok, last year in the Med was warmer still but I'm not complaining.

Happy running