I just got back from Westfield Shopping centre. Only today, it wasn’t the Westfield I usually go to up in Stratford. I can get to that one quite easily, and as huge and opulent as it may still be, I’m getting bored of it. I decided a while ago that I need to get out of East London a bit more, so today I decided to head to Shepherd’s Bush. I had  had a glimpse of it a few days ago, having been on one of my canalside trundles; but today I decided to go back and check it out properly.

Getting there was somewhat novel in itself: the Jubilee line to Westminster, the District to Hammersmith, then a short walk from there rather then taking the circle line a single stop. I’m becoming more and more comfortable navigating london’s transport system and switching between lines, although some of the gaps between the train and platforms were slightly wider than I’d have liked. Even so, my journey was relatively swift and problem free.

I didn’t stay at the actual shopping centre that long, and decided to start making my way home after just a short cruise around it’s opulent shops. I realise how strange that might seem, having gone to so much trouble to get there. But that isn’t the point. The reason I have adventures like today’s is to sort of demonstrate to myself that I can get to places. It’s about establishing routes. Now I know I can get there though, and that this ‘other’ Westfield is just as big and impressive as the one in Stratford, I think I have a potential new rendezvous point for meeting mum and dad. Moreover, getting back turned out to be even easier than getting there, as I found a Superloop running directly to Ealing Broadway, where I could just hop onto the Elizabeth Line.

London is definitely feeling smaller and smaller. I’m not sure how many people will be interested in all this stuff about me going places and which trains I ride, but in a way feel compelled to record it. This city once seemed like a huge, inaccessible labyrinth; yet it is becoming increasingly familiar, homely and welcoming. I’m feeling more and more comfortable with getting around and exploring it, and as I do so it becomes ever more fascinating.