Day in London for first time in 30 years!

[Financegoddess]

Hoping you lovely MNers can help.

I’m visiting London for the first time in over 30 years on Thursday this week to meet an old friend in Kensington.
I’m coming via train into Kings Cross and then hoping to take the Piccadilly line over to Kensington.
I’m dreading the heat on the tube. Are you able to open the windows? I get awfully claustrophobic you see but I can’t afford a black cab and timescales mean I can’t go via bus.
thanks for any help

Ha ha yes! I get so sick of this. I just give them side eye but it doesn’t make any difference.

For years (back in 00) in Bishopsgate city where I worked cyclists would sail through the red light at the push button crossing every time. Lots of people were crossing and we all as pedestrians obeyed the flashing green man sign and stopped at the red one. If one cyclist ever stopped it was a miracle. Then cyclists wonder why they get a bad press.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain oh, ok, I see, been going in for ages in the city, and now rampages through the up till recently polite suburb where I now potter about. The sense of urgency has spread to leafy territory. Sigh.

It’s the same where I am in a sort of naice South London village. Cyclists on the pavements constantly. Rare to see them actually on the street/road rather than on pavement but having said that not noticed too many of them around lately.

Really ?

Well yes, of course. The entire city comes to a standstill when it gets a bit hot, didn’t you know?!
All ten million Londoners hide under the bed till it’s safe to resume normal service.

Actually all the trains out of Greenwich were cancelled today, as it was too hot!

Several of the tube lines have been messed up too, although the Piccadilly seems to be coping well.

So I’m curious, the trip is over so @Financegoddesshow was it?
did you enjoy the V&A? Did you survive the tube? Can you now see the hyperbole in the ‘London is terribly dangerous nowadays and lone women should fear it’ nonsense that gets peddled in the Daily Mail/ on social media / here on Mumsnet?

I do hope you enjoyed, London is an amazing city full of opportunities, education and adventure for all of those willing to brave it!

Hello all. sorry for the delay in updating but I was back at work yesterday and catching up on household stuff today.

You will all be pleased to know I survived the Piccadilly line armed with a paper fan and iced water! I met my friend as planned and had a great day.
I didn’t feel under threat any all but did keep a tight hold of my handbag!

thanks for all your advice , tips and help. Really appreciated even if it did turn into a cycle discussion at the end!

Glad my hometown served you well and you had a good time @Financegoddess

@LemonLymanDotCom do you have any recommendations for places to eat around Soho for solo dining? There’s so many options but wondered if you might be able to recommend somewhere?

What kind of day are you planning? What kinda meal?

If you’re out shopping but want a quick healthy lunch while people watching, I’d go to the Foyles cafe. For an evening dinner, I’d head into China Town

Thank you. I’m there for a few days and seeing some exhibitions and gigs all over but my base will be Soho.
Looking for a mix of breakfasts and dinners as lunch will probably be on the go (maybe too).
Not into fast food and don’t eat meat!

Thank you, not heard of Foyles cafe but will have a look! It’s the solo dining that’s making me overthink! I’m happy to eat alone as I often do when away for work but that tends to be hotel restaurants. Not sure why I’m feeling weird about it!

Oh I eat alone in London all the time, often for work too and really there are so many places to choose from. And please don’t overthink. One of the best things about London is you see so many weird and wonderful things regularly, that it takes a lot to make is Londoners stop and think something is odd. A woman dining alone is so far down that list that no one will bat an eyelid, leaving you to people watch / read a book alone unbothered and in peace.

OK, so Foyles is one of the best bookshops in London, fact. Four floors of bookish glory and their cafe is fab. They do lovely veggie food, great salads, quiches, yummy lunches and you’ve got a legit reason to get a book out too (from behind which you can secretly people watch)
The fact you’re veggie opens up more options cos there is an AMAZING veggie restaurant in Soho called Mildred’s - book a table stat! Equally check out Govinda’s, the Hare Krishna place that does yummy food too.

And enjoy!

No need to be scared, have a cross body bag and don't wave your phone around d and you'll be fine . Have a lovely day .

That will teach me not to read the whole thread 🙄🤣

You might be one of my favourite people! Thank you!