In which Helen goes oot and aboot

I'm about to pass out, I'm so tired. Like seriously. I felt so weak that I stopped at Caffe Nero (a chain) and bought a panini to get me across the bridge back home. Been walking since 12:00. It's now 5:00. I just don't know when to stop. I go one place and then next I'm somewhere else. I seem to be guided by forces not my own. And then four hours go by and I'm about to fall over.

Was woken by a fire alarm today at 11:00. I was going to sleep all day -- I'm so knackered -- but once I saw it was sunny (was suppose to rain all day) I decided to go out. Specifically to Harrods, to buy tea.

Went across the Westminster bridge, got so far as Whitehall where there was a parade. A group of people about a mile long holding signs, most of which read, "STOP CHILDHOOD POVERTY." There were men with drums, very loud, and a group of them chanting, "Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown has let the children down," as they passed 10 Downing Street. Rather dramatic. Though I kinda like Gordon Brown, and certainly don't fancy the man who is pegged to succeed him, I liked the pizzaz of it all. People fighting for what they believe in. Making a show of it all. Great fun to watch.

Proceeded toward St. James Park which ends at Buckingham Palace. Saw the flag indicating the Queen is in the Palace. Wasn't much amused. Walked on toward Hyde Park. A harried woman, dirty and pitiful looking, was begging for change, a little baby clinging to her chest. I gave the woman the equivalent of 6.00 dollars. I hope she uses it well. Crossed through to Knightsbridge where I found Harrods and a set of people in front of the store protesting against Harrods because the store sells fur coats. "Don't buy anything from Harrods," a man projected into a microphone as I walked in.

The store was packed, with mostly tourists. Saturday; should have known. Made straight for the "Food Halls", running into people as I went. I thought, "Abby would die if she were here." There are several halls, each of which specializes in a certain genre of food -- Boucherie (meats), Fromage (Cheese) -- all headlined in french, all top class food, all very expensive. I bought a canister of teas and then asked where I could stop for afternoon tea. This is the first time since I've been back that I've had scones. It is true that you cannot find real English scones anywhere but in England.

I had English Breakfast tea and clotted cream with strawberry preserves on raisin scones. I literally could not believe how good it all tasted. I'm not a big food person. I don't really care what I eat usually, but this was unbelievable. It cost 10.00 pounds; roughly 20.00 dollars, which is to be expected when you eat in anywhere in London but especially when you do so at Harrods.

Walked around the designer clothing stores for a bit. I looked at myself in one of the mirrors and thought, "Well I'm quite pretty." Seriously. I said this to myself. And I have noticed how I have "freshened up" since I've got here. For one, today I was wearing a brown top with my short black jacket, long length jeans and brown flats, pink brown argyle socks to match, and had a silk scarf I had bought in Camden when I was last here tied around my neck, situated so that it sort of puffed out of the top of my buttoned jacket. Secondly, I'm just happy. (Though right now not so much, as I fumble with the radiator that I'm certain must be broke). Being happy makes you look pretty -- or gives you the illusion that you are.

Went back to Hyde Park. Meandered around the Serpentine, watching some kids -- 8 - 16 -- ride their horses on the dirt trail designed for such use. A light rain descending. Went past a man sitting on a bench feeding a squirrel. The squirrel was situated on his knee and took what was offered him from the man's fingers.

Right then I was happy. I started to think about the things I would do. Maybe I will learn how to ride a horse, I thought to myself, walking from the Serpentine toward the trees and grass, the leaves crumbling under my feet while I watched miniature dogs running around their owners. At any rate, I thought, I'll do a lot of things that I wouldn't do otherwise. My classes are easy. I will finish my dissertation by mid-June (my classes are over in May -- or is it March? -- I'm only left in London until September to write my 15,000 words dis.). I will travel throughout England. I will work at Parliament as a volunteer. I'll do whatever catches my fancy.

Before I reached Soho I stopped at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant MAZE. Read the menu. All cafe's and restaurants and even pubs in London have menus placed in front of their buildings. Well priced. A meal costs about as much as what I paid at Harrods for tea/scones; the wines, ect. are what cost the most, some triple that of, say, a steak.

Nothing of much interest happened on my way home. Went through Soho, through Leicester Square where you buy cheap theatre tickets (I'm thinking about going to see Phantom next week), down to Tralfagar Square, through the Strand, and across the Waterloo Bridge, and home where I am now going to take a shower and pass out on my bed.