Several years ago my job needed me to spend around 3 days per week in London, staying near Marble Arch at the west end of Oxford Street next to Hyde Park. I used to love running around the park especially in summer when the atmosphere was brilliant with loads of runners, walkers and people just enjoying a summers evening in the park.
Evenings in the atumn and winter aren’t so good because the parks are closed and you need to do a circumnavigation around the roads. It’s still quite interesting because you pass great landmarks like the Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park Corner and of course, Marble Arch.
Today I was in the area again staying in the Amba Hotel (used to be called The Thistle) Marble Arch which has had a major refurbishment and is now very swanky. I did a run around the park which couldn’t be that fast because there were lots of pedestrians and traffic. I am thinking of doing the same route again in the morning with my head torch (because the streeetlights even in London can be lacking in some places), when it might be a little quieter. Trying to run down Oxford Street in full “Christmas Mode” is interesting and I wouldn’t recommend it!
The people I met in the office today couldn’t beleive I had to clear snow off my car this morning, even though it’s only a 2 hour train ride, it’s a different word!
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.”
Acts 17:16 NIVUK