"You are more beautiful than you think": London

Busy streets

People everywhere

Hustling and bustling as they rush by.

Wait!

Let's slow down and look around

What can we see?

Aren't you glad you stopped?

Isn't this fun?

Where can it be?

Here's a clue in the name of a street,

but you'll need a mirror!

"You're beautiful from every angle"

Oops!

They didn't tell me it was a deforming mirror!

The caption is very misleading...

See, I did warn you, but you had to try it for yourself, didn't you?

and it's all in the smile!

That red double-decker certainly looks good

especially with a touch of overhanging green.

Here's the whole picture

Are you enjoying yourself?

I like the reflection of the girl on the left, you can tell she's 

feeling beautiful.

Did you know that smiling increases your beauty by 100%?

Here's the store with the window display

Here's another clue

with elegance from another era...

A must-stop on every visit to London!

"When was the last time you smiled back?"

Try it

and the world will smile back at you!

Going on a journey: England

Flying high in the sky

Once a year, I get this strong feeling inside of me that I need to change my horizons.

 Switzerland has been my adoptive country since my early twenties.

 This country, in the heart of Europe, shares borders with France, Italy, Austria and Germany.

It's very easy to travel to these neighbouring countries

 and it's even possible to do a day's outing to nearby France

or take the train to Milan in Italy.

But when the I choose to take a bigger break, I love going back to England

for that is where I grew up, where my roots are.

So I leave the land of lakes and beautiful mountains

and through the limited view from the hub

I can see the coastline and the sea!

I'm home!

An airport shuttle service from Heathrow airport to Paddington station

and the well-known warning on the platform as you get on and off the train.

Yes, there really is quite a big gap!

Even my suitcase looks full of anticipation !

It's when I see the sleek, black traditional taxi that I really feel as if I'm in my home country!

Now, will the taxi-driver get out to help with a heavy case?

It is rather rare in London!

Going through familiar streets

I can feel the excitement!

What about these trees planted along the top floor?

The taxi turns into a road alongside the British Museum.

I love the bikes for rent all lined up.

This is the Bloomsbury area which is rather peaceful and yet not far at all

from all the places I like to visit.

In ten to twenty minutes I can be almost anywhere I like to go.

The bus service is also excellent.

There are several small parks just minutes away on foot.

It was lilac time early this year and the perfume was wonderful.

Wouldn't you say that this bench is just waiting for me and my book?

Ah!

Just a little rumble from the traffic in the busier streets further away.

I love the wild and glorious abandon

 of the expanse of bluebells and cow parsley,

sometimes known as Queen Anne's lace.

The Londoners love their parks!

There is no better time to be in England than when the bluebells are blooming

and the lilac perfumes the air on every tiny breeze.

The birdsong is melodious and joyful

and so am I!