As you may have noticed, I’ve been away from my blog and life in Shetland for a whole week but now I’m back, all rested and ready to tackle a Shetland winter with verve and vigour (or at least feeling slightly less knackered and jaded).

The trip down was very easy – basically I sat on the plane from Shetland to Heathrow, with a quick not-getting-out stop at Dundee.  Loganair have now discontinued this travel route forever as it was considered far too easy and helpful to their passengers.

I had organised my trip south to London with some careful thought – one lovely thing to do each day. I get tired easily so I only walked the 10,000 steps a day!

On Sunday my cousin and I went to look at all the places in London we could easily walk to that our family had lived in many years ago.

The family home in Cambridge Gate (just wow!) during the 1920’s.

Bickenhall Mansions, just off Baker Street, where my Great Great Aunt Kate lived in the 1950’s.

Our well deserved break was spent in Hertford House, Manchester Square looking at The Wallace Collection (as well as a lovely lunch there).  Think The Frick Collection but in London. Same vibe.

Hertford House was an oasis in the heart of London that I never ever knew about.  Considering I lived and worked only a few minutes away in Mortimer Street, I cannot see how I was so ignorant.  I would’ve spent hours there if I had known.  I need to go back there again.

Then back on our travels to 10 Harley Street where my great grandfather’s Laboratory and Consulting Rooms were.  It was fascinating to think our relatives had walked along all these streets every day.

There was so much to see. My poor legs. I now need a holiday to get over my holiday!