Thank you Joe, for the warm introduction. Rita, welcome to the Forum, too.
I can assure you that joining Joe's forum has been one of the most productive
and happiest four-five months of my boring life in Spain. I do live in Spain but
being married to a Brit makes the UK some kind of a second home in many many
ways. I frequent more the north of England (Cumbria, Lake District---W Wordsworth
(Poet) and Beatrix Potter (children's writer) were bornt here and of course my husband.
I was in London in February for a week's holiday and had the worst weather and blizzards
in twenty years! It was 10 degrees below zero but we had a great time. Went to see
two West End Musicals, Les Mis and Oliver since our favourite hotel is just 100 meters
away---walking distance indeed.I do have a Londoner friend who used to teach English for
foreigners but he quit---don't know why. Yes, there are some very good decent English
Academies, but there are also quite a number of cowboy, illegally-set-up so-called English schools. Make sure you enrol in one of the legitimate ones. There are so many horror stories so just be alert and don't be gullible. Be street-wise and don't get carried away by smooth-talking cockney Londoners. It's free to enter Westminster Palace and if you wish to see the PM, Gordon Brown, he's there on Wednesdays for the weekly parliamentary proceedings, for as long as you don't get bored. But it's quite an experience. There are many dirty restos too, so be vigilant. Keep yourself warm in winter and mind the pick-pockets!
See you later!