The buzz of London

She dragon mentioned 'that charged atmosphere', and Billie Jane called it a 'buzz about London'. They are both right, people were literally charging about like a lot of buzzy bees. As soon as I stepped off the train at Kings Cross Station I had to stand still for a few minutes to take it all in. What was so urgent that caused them to move at such speed. There was nose to tail traffic with the howl of sirens, and blue flashing lights, I had arrived in a crazy world.

I found it all very fascinating, a completely different lifestyle to what I am used to. I can understand however, when people say that living in a city can be the loneliest place on earth, no one has time to stop. I can also understand why people yearn to escape the rat race and retire to a cottage in the country.

Some flashy Christmas lights.

These hanging baubles are in Covent Garden, it was certainly buzzing here.

The street entertainers were playing down in the courtyard. I stood on the balcony for a while and enjoyed the free entertainment. I noticed an elderly lady walking round and round the balcony, shaking a basket and asking for coins. I thought, aaaah, how sweet, she must be the mother of one of the fiddlers. But when they finished their stint and the next act came on, an operatic singer, there she was again, going round and round with her basket. I have to say though, she wasn't collecting for herself, she did go down the steps and deposit her takings into the basket of the performers.

This stall selling antique silver was doing very well in the market. I had to wait a few minutes for the customers to make their purchases, to get the photo

There was a buzz at this open air market outside the Saatchi Gallery. Most of the stalls were selling food and they were doing a roaring trade from the nearby offices. I don't think anyone does their own pack up in London, they all seem to buy their food and eat it while on the move.

The crowds were thronging around Harrods of course, you have just got to go inside for a look, to see how the other half lives. No I didn't buy anything just to get the Harrods carrier bag, ha ha.

Oxford Street was very buzzy.

And so was Regent Street.

Picadilly Circus was crammed full of people.

More Christmas lights.

This was a little courtyard just off Carnaby Street. At one time it was open to the elements, but now it is covered over. There are balconies all around with shops on three floors.

And seating in the middle if you want some food.

The mural was on a side street nearby.

And here is the world famous Carnaby Street. This used to be the place to go in the sixties if you wanted to be in the height of fashion. There are still a lot of clothes shops there now, but it has lost it's buzz. Most of the people strolling through seemed to be tourists, not shoppers.

A few days into the holiday I was getting into the buzz of things and was starting to enjoy the atmosphere. I thought, how exciting, look at me walking round London, eager each morning to get out of the hostel and see what interesting stuff I could find to look at. Imagining what it would be like to live there, going back to my cosy little flat in the evenings. There would be plenty to do each day, no time to get bored.

But then I came to my senses, and when it was time to get on the train for home, I thought, get me out of here. I'm a country bumpkin at heart, it's ok to visit, but I like to breath fresh countryside air, not be choked to death with all the polution. Aaahh, the smell of the nature, you can't beat it.