One of the lovely things about working in the West End is having the opportunity to see it early in the morning.  I usually rush through on my way to work but today I decided the world would actually continue revolving on its axis if I took 15-30 minutes to appreciate the relative peace and quiet of this beautiful part of London.

This was my view at about 7:40 this morning as the train pulled in towards Charring Cross Station.  The London Eye and Big Ben against a bright blue sky. The station is next to Trafalgar Square which was very peaceful in the early morning sunshine.  It was gorgeous being in this big open space with relatively few other people. This is the National Portrait Gallery which is a stunning building.  A creamy white colour with bright red flags that provide huge pops of colour. This is the Canadian High Commission.  Another beautiful building with plenty of red and white flags.  I notice these waving at me each day as I walk to and from the station. The enormous bright blue cockerel.  It is very large, very bright and very blue.  It is 4.72 m high! It has taken roost on the fourth plinth outside Canada House.  Every 18 months the statue on top of the fourth plinth is changed.  This one symbolises regeneration and strength, apparently.Time to head to the office.  I walked past the cheery “welcome” sign to the National Gallery – I wish I could go in.
I have walked past the Edith Cavell statue hundreds of times in my life but I never knew who she was or why she had such a huge memorial.  Now I know!   Edith was a British World War 1 nurse who helped soldiers of all nationalities on both sides of the war.  She also helped 200 allied soldiers escape from Belgium which at the time was occupied by Germany.  For this, she was arrested and executed by a German firing squad, despite international pressure for mercy.  The words inscribed on her statue, “Patriotism is not enough.  I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone” were the words she spoke to the chaplain, the night before her execution. I treated myself to a skinny latte which I enjoyed as I walked to the office. There is decoration and beauty in so many places – this was on a lamppost. In the office I had breakfast; coco-nutty-granola in left over green smoothie from last night.  It doesn’t look very appetising but it was actually OK. I went to WholeFoods Market for lunch and bought this very nutritous houmous which I ate with a takeaway salad.  Well, i didn’t eat it all.  I had about 1/3 of the tub. This mixed salad has so many yummy things in it; baked salmon, rice, quinoa, cucumber, celery, peas, chick peas, black beans, celery, spring onions, beetroot, green lentils, fresh herbs, spinach, lettuce, broccoli and possibly more.  Very tasty. Dinner was tasty and fun but not very good for a dieter and I broke one of the I Quit Sugar rules of no white carbs.  I went out for supper with the Mummys from Harvey’s class and I had a pizza.  It was very good but not diet friendly.  No one had dessert so no temptation to resist there but I did have cheese.  I should enjoy a bit of time for myself in the mornings more often.