December 17th, 2014.

Having a bowel of cereal I bought from a gas station last night, no coffee machine here, I watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs until 9. I take a shower in this tiny bathroom, where my closet at home is bigger, with a broken shower-head harness, and no hot water, I get as clean as possible in this water that’s only a couple of degrees above zero.

Finally getting out of the apartment that could be used for the movie Saw by 10:00, I make my way to the train station and head over to Orpginton, one station to the north. There were a few places there that I wanted to see. A cemetery dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who died in Orpington during the first World War, a hospital that the Ontario Government built during that war, and the street where Bart skateboarded down the road during the Simpsons live action opening.

Once there, I had to decide what to do first. The cemetery was about a klick NE from here, the hospital 2 klicks to the SE, and the Simpsons road about the same distance but to the West. It was a beautiful day so I stuck to walking, not taking the transit. I decided to go to the hospital first.

Getting there, I’m introduced to the entrance of the hospital being the Canadian Wing. Overcome with pride, I walk inside and see an entire wall explaining the history of the hospital. Spending some time there reading the wall, I left feeling awestruck. Time to make my way to the cemetery.

Walking through downtown, I stop in a pub for lunch. Well, brunch. They had a tasty looking breakfast on the menu. Eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, beans, and fries. All that paired with a pint. I haven’t had a breakfast like that in quite some time. Paying my bill, I make my way to the cemetery.

Upon arriving there, it took me some time to find the location. I had to search the internet for the location of Canadian’s Corner. I found out that it had a big cross memorial so I hunted that down. Over 180 Canadian soldiers are buried there. Spending time there reading the tombstones, I didn’t want to leave without leaving something behind. Luckily enough I had a Loonie on me. Fishing it out, I place it on the memorial.

Leaving the soldiers to rest, I make my way to the Simpsons road. Really sucked that about 80% of the trip was uphill. Oh well, exercise is good for you. Eventually getting there, I walk up and down the street twice and watching the video three times. This isn’t the place! This was almost a wasted trip but I did find a sign saying ‘Swimming Poo.’ So it wasn’t a complete waste.

I go back to the station and back to my nightmare apartment. I drop off my bag and pop out to get some food and to a gas station to get a map of the London area. Going back, I start circling shooting locations of the movies Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End, and the show Spaced.

That took me the better part of the  night. 11 o’clock rolls around so I got ready for bed. Took a shower while there was hot water.

December 16th, 2014.

Woke up at 10 o’clock this morning. What a great sleep! Thank goodness my hostess said that I could stay until 6pm. Unfortunately I could only stay for one night because she was having some friends come into town for Christmas and they were going to use the place.

Showered, shaved, ate some Special K, and left the house at 11:30. I grabbed the bus to go back to that shopping centre again, I really like it there. Once I arrived, I B-lined it for a coffee shop. All I had at the house was tea. Tea is good, but I’m a coffee-morning person. Touring around some more on this beautiful day, and forgetting my sunglasses, I shield my eye. A glimmer in a store window caught my eye. It was a box of figures of a game I like called Warhammer 40,000. Going into the store thinking I finally found a hobby store, I discover that it’s actually a Games Workshop store, the company that makes the game. I start looking around the store and chatting with the employee there. Must have spent almost a hour in there, talking with him about the 40K universe and how much both of us want the Salamanders chapter to finally have an army book.

Leaving and grabbing the bus, I go back to my place for 4 and pack up my things. Leaving the house for my next place, I have a hour and a half train ride ahead of me.

Getting to the station, I buy my ticket and ride the train to the London Bridge station. Jumping to another train for the Chelsfield station, I meet up with my new host by 6:20. He takes me down a pitch black alley to the back of a restaurant. We walk down a sketchy hallway, and opens a door with no door handle, only a deadbolt, that says ‘Saphron Suite’ in Comic Sans font on a piece of paper in a plastic sleeve. Once inside this murder-apartment with no reception, it reminded me of the apartment that the cops found the war vet in the movie Seven. I take the keys, he leaves, I put down my things and pop out to the pub for a pint and dinner.

After eating I decide to do a bit of adventuring. Mostly because I didn’t want to go back to the apartment. Taking random directions whenever I felt like it, noticing as many pubs here as there are Timmies back home. Nothing too exciting was happening so I head back to the scary apartment where the ceiling was coming off from the walls. Getting through the door by 10, I watch an episode of Extras while getting ready for bed.

December 15th, 2014.

From midnight to 4:30, I was watching Adventure Time and ever so slowly getting my things together. All packed up and ready to go, I depart at 4:50 and make my way to Hotel Holt (across the street) to get picked up there at 5:30. I was told to be there for 5. 5:30 comes and goes, then the concierge comes outside for a smoke. She asks me if I’m waiting for the bus. I responded with yes and it was supposed to be here 10-minutes ago. She asked my name and as soon as I said it she said that the bus was already here at 4:30. We go inside and she phones the bus company and says that I’m here now. I tell her to tell them that I was told that the 5:30 bus would be the best one to get and that’s what I bought. After she got off the phone, she told me that someone is coming to get me now and should be here in a few minutes.

It comes, I get picked up, get to the station for 6, jump on another bus, and get to the airport for 7. Checking in, flew right through security, and was sitting down with a cup of coffee waiting for my plane by 7:30. Just relaxing from the stressful morning, my boarding time was called and I get in line. Boarding the plane, I go to my seat. My gawd! These seats are amazing! Good thing I paid the extra money for choosing my own seat. The section I was in consisted of four rows, two seats on either side, and they were First Class seats in the Economy section! Amazing leg room, as comfy as a Lay-Z-Boy recliner. If you’re going to fly to Iceland, pay the extra money and get these seats.

We take off and as soon as I was able to, I started watching Guardians of the Galaxy. From beginning to the end of the credits, we arrived at Gatwick airport.

Walking through the airport and eventually getting to the passport check station, I handed over my passport and was asked pretty basic questions, then eventually started to become bombarded with all sorts of questions as soon as he found out that I was unemployed. I couldn’t get frustrated with him, he was doing his job, making sure that I wasn’t sneaking in and stealing jobs. In the end, after some telling him of my route and plans (and what it’s like in Canada), I finally had enough and said ‘Hold on for a second.’ I pulled out my phone and showed him my finances. I saw a little twitch from his eyebrows, even though he tried to keep his composure. He then said ‘Okay sir, I believe you. Go on ahead. Enjoy your trip.’ I didn’t really want to do that but it felt like it was the only way to prove my story.

Leaving the airport with my bag on my back, I begin walking towards my first place I’m going to be staying at here in England. I thought it was going to be a hour and a half walk at most. Nope! Google Maps tried to get me to walk down a Freeway, during lunch time at that too. Nope! I started walking in the general direction of the place, taking walking paths and roads left and right. In the end of it all, it was a 3-hour hike! Getting through the front door, I throw off my bag. Maybe a little too hasty than what I usually do but my back was killing me. Kick off my boots, grab a glass of water, down it, and get another, I sit down on the couch and relax. I almost fell asleep but I couldn’t because if I had, I wouldn’t be getting up again until late that night.

20-minutes pass by, I grab a shower and head back out. There was a shopping centre nearby that has an EE location where I can get a new SIM card. Just a 50-minute walk away. Easy as pie with no backpack.

Once arriving there, I instantly liked it. It was like a boardwalk of stores. Probably the size of a city block. Walking around, getting a cup of coffee, I eventually find the EE store. I pop in, get my SIM card, put it in the phone, all the while chatting with the store clerk. Nothing against Iceland but it felt GREAT talking to someone where English is their first-language. Afterwards, I walk around some more, contacting some people letting them know that I’m safe and sound. 6:00 rolls around and I’m dead tired. I pop into the bus station, buy a 10-ride transit pass, and go back to where I am staying.

Getting back to my lovely abode, did a load of much needed laundry, I lay down on the couch and try to update my website. What a bad idea laying down was! I passed out until 10:30. Hung my laundry and went to bed.