Willa arrived after a bit of a flight delay, but none the worse for the wear in spite of going directly from the Colorado Cyclocross Championship race (in very cold and snowy conditions) to DIA and on to London. Now that’s some versatility and dedication! We went back to flat for a late lunch and quick shower, before heading out again to catch the No. 8 bus to Oxford Circus just as it was getting dark. What better way to introduce Willa to London than from the top of a double-decker bus just as all the lights of the city, including all the holiday decorations, are coming to life. We perused the Liberty department store – a very posh and classy place, that puts Harrod’s to shame, in my opinion - with merchandising this good, you know it’s got to be pricey. We cruised down Carnaby Street, enjoying the decorations and window-shopping opportunities, and over to Hyde Park to check out the Winter Wonderland. Well, you can’t blame Londoners for trying, but it’s pretty hard to make a convincing Winter Wonderland in a place where it snows infrequently and the grass is still green! Nevertheless, Willa and I found much entertainment heckling the myriad of orange-rental-skate-clad skaters, as they stiff-legged around the small rink. We took a ferris wheel ride in the “wonderland,” which provided a nice view, albeit a bit chilly, and then headed back home for dinner and a relatively early night in.

--- Liberty department store ---

--- Liberty department store - interior ---

--- Willa peeks across one of the grand stairwells ---

--- J gets cheeky with one of the male models ---

--- English skaters unknowingly provide heckling fodder (what's up with the rental skate color, anyway?) ---