Baker Street Station

On my Tube commute I have to change trains at one station, Baker Street.  221b Baker Street is arguably the most famous address-- belonging to a person who never existed.  Despite the fact he is a fictional character, Sherlock Holmes has quite a bit of notoriety in London-- especially on the real Baker Street.

I've been a fan since I was 17, and I'm glad to see Sherlock Holmes's popularity has not waivered in the last 125 years.  As a matter of fact, these tiles are all over the Underground Station at Baker Street reminding you as you pass where you are.

BIG Ben

It's so big, it almost looks fake up-close.  (Does that make any sense?)

Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan is the name of a deli/diner/restaurant on St Johns Wood High Street that's been serving kosher meats and other foods since 1948.  (No relation to the recently departed M*A*S*H* actor.)  They serve things like tongue sandwiches, jellied calf's foot, and liver and onions.  Luckily for me they also serve breakfast all day-- including "American" pancakes with blueberries.  As I sat enjoying my pancakes and coffee I read some news articles on the wall about the history of the place. 

Apparently Harry Morgan was started by a butcher; and the restaurant stayed in the family until about 2000.  In 2001 the place went under renovation but kept the menu and friendly service.  It's a pretty unassuming place, which is apparently why it is frequented by George Michael (who reportedly loves their salt beef sandwiches), Kate Moss, Minnie Driver, and Sir Paul McCartney who lives just a few streets over.

Look what's outside my Tube stop...

Welcome!

My London co-workers are so nice!  They gave me these beautiful flowers after I had to make a presentation to them about what I would be doing there for the next three months.  (Pretty nice reward for having to talk in front of people!)

(The flowers are on my desk; and in the background you can see what kind of open-layout the office is like.)

Mind the Gap

Monday was my first day commuting to my "new" job.  My co-worker, Suzan, was nice enough to meet me at my Tube station and ride with me in so I wouldn't get lost.  (There is one train change on my route.)  My commute takes about 20 minutes which, while not bad, is a lot longer than my usual 8 minute commute in Cville.