Today we started off the day by heading to Hammersmith shopping area to buy some essential things we need for our new flat which we move in on Wednesday. So excited! It has been so perfect and we are so thankful to Amber, Russell and all the flatties (Sam, Kate and Lisa) that we have been able to stay with them. Living in the lounge is not normally very easy in a flatting situation but it has worked perfectly fine because they are such a neat bunch of people. We really appreciate the kindness, interest and care that they have all shown. It has been so easy, comfortable and just a great place to start our journey in the UK.

In the afternoon we went into the city to have a wander around and re-visited some of Londons biggest attractions like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and The London Eye. We thought we would leave Buckingham Palace to another day because we have plenty of time ahead of us. It was really nice walking along the Thames soaking up the buzzing atmosphere and watching boats cruise down the river. Leicester Square was packed with people and it is so neat to see and hear all the different nationalities here for the Olympics. Just about every person you see is snapping away on their cameras and we are one of them. Everywhere we walked we came across something interesting to look at and there is just so much to do here it's incredible.

We had arranged to meet Grant Meese, Terry O'Connor and Toni Stockham (NZ friends) outide the Aldwych Theatre with Russell and Amber to have an early dinner and catch up. Russell was performing in the evening of course and Grant and Terry were watching the show hence why the meal was early. We went to a restaurant not far from the theatre called Pizza Express which was reasonable, quick and easy.

Grant and Terry were touring around on a cruise ship before they arrived in London three days after us. They went to the Olympic Opening Cermony and are here primarily to watch some Olympic events over the next week. They were in great spirits and it was so special to see them and catch up here in London. It was nice to see some familiar faces too! I had not met Toni before but she has done shows in New Zealand and recently moved to London to work on the Olympic Games.

We thought about going to see a show but after looking at the prices for decent tickets we decided against this idea. We will wait until we start earning before we go to the shows and we'll keep an eye out for cheap tickets and deals. Andrew and I kept wandering around for a while before hopping on a tube back to the flat. Fabulous day in London Town!