So we couchsurfed last night for the first time and in London. This city's a big place, so from Heathrow it took about 2 hours on the tube (metro) to get to Sarah's house. At one point the train was so packed that we had to split from the kids to get on the very hot, and smelly train.

Of course, by the time we got to Hainault station we were starving so into a little corner store I go to buy something to eat. This venture resulted in the purchase of six plantains which a couple of our kids heartily consumer (realized afterwards I hadn't bought bananas). No stomach aches thank God!

Our host, Sarah Richson, as it turns out is a member of Hillsong Church here in London! Part of her reason for involvement in the Couchsurfing.com network is that her pastor repeatedly tells their church (of about 20,000) that they should be welcoming people into their homes regularly. Sarah, who has a fairly small townhouse, will have up to 35 people in her home at Christmas! So we talked local church until my eyelids started closing mid-conversation.

Yesterday we were able to knock another site off the list - Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Both were impressive in their own right. I think the castle blew the kids away for all its grandeur and formidable size. We were hoping to bump into the queen in the royal apartments, but I don't think she hangs out when 1,000's of tourists are visiting.

So, today it's off to London for a few hours, hanging out with Mariah. Then off to the airport to prepare for the journey to Kiev tomorrow. Looking forward to serving in Krasny Mak after a few days of site-seeing. I know that our time there will completely overshadow mere holidaying (though it's been nice). Especially excited about introducing the family to Maxim and Jhenya. Should be a hoot.

So, now a little breakfast with Sarah, then off!