It may sound cliche but we reconnected via facebook of all places about 2 years ago. We've had regular chats since then and last year when I was doing this same trip I had floated the idea to her that she should come out for a holiday. Visiting Europe isn't quite so daunting when you don't have to pay for accommodation :) The timing wasn't right for her last year but this year she jumped at the chance.
Here she is ...
She was so jet lagged, but I knew getting her outside in the sunshine and not allowing her to nap was going to help her get a decent nights sleep. It's kind of fun to watch someone that tired, but so excited as she's never been to Europe before.
So we are all here now and ready to take on the city. And it's just started to rain... typical.
* for those that have the time you can take the tube all the way out to Heathrow Airport. If you have an Oyster Card the trip works out to 4.80 return and takes approximately an hour from London Victoria station, vs 32.00 return and 15 minutes.