After a wild ride out of Toronto, we're safely settled in London. The first hour and a half of the flight were as bumpy as I've ever experienced- just like you would expect for a flight minutes ahead of the storm. (Toronto fared fairly well, considering the terrible damage done other places. There are many trees down, and some flooding, and lots of wet basements (including ours, but we were anticipating that) and many folks without power, but overall it looks like we got off easy.)
Once we were clear of Sandy, the rest of the flight was uneventful, if you don't count Joe knocking a pudding onto me at 3am, and I'm sure he would rather we didn't count that - and before we knew it we had arrived. So far, all we've really done is navigate the tube and have dinner with family, but that's no small accomplishment. 
Today's our day of adventure in London. The weather looks fair - we've got our Oyster cards for the tube, and we're going to see everything.
Welcome to England! Have a fabulous time.
Posted by: Clare Walsh at October 31, 2012 4:48 AMCongratulations, you have make it this far.
Sally forth and have adventures. (the link of the Toronto photos were great)
Posted by: StellaMM at October 31, 2012 5:02 AMWe also just arrived in Europe (Rome) and are having a great time. Weather not as good as London but still an adventure. Tired. Enjoy!
Woohoo! Hope you enjoy London - there are some fabulous sights to see, and lovely places to go - galleries, cafes, LYS.... you might want to look at Jane Brocket's yarnstorm blog (if you dont already - for all I know, you are staying with her!), she regularly reviews cafes and cakes in the capital. Enjoy, enjoy. How lovely to have you this side of the pond - maybe next time we can entice you to Edinburgh?!
Posted by: knitlass at October 31, 2012 5:19 AMWelcome to London! I'm looking out of my office window at St Pancras and it looks like a bright lovely day :)
Posted by: grapecat at October 31, 2012 5:24 AMhave a great time. and if you ever feel really adventurous, come to australia with the family. we have lots of warm right when you are reallly cold
Posted by: gemma at October 31, 2012 5:28 AMGlad you made it out! The invitation to the south of Portugal still stands (there are some really cheap flights from England (I've seen them as low as 15 euros)to Faro. No snow, sweater weather and still lots of flowers... Just saying....
Posted by: KarenJ at October 31, 2012 5:31 AMWelcome to London. It's so funny that you posted a pic of Tooting Broadway tube. I used to live in Balham and passed through that station everyday on the way to school. I can't tell you how much we would love it if you were speaking/teaching here. But as you are not working, I hope you have a fabulous time in the best city in the world! (biased, sorry)
Posted by: Liz at October 31, 2012 5:38 AMAnd your Oyster card will work on buses too--a good rest while you survey London sights when you get tired of walking and walking, which is our favourite way to get around.
Posted by: Carol at October 31, 2012 5:55 AMWelcome. It's good to have you here. And I hope we haven't used up all our friendliness on the Olympics!
Posted by: Miriana at October 31, 2012 5:59 AMWelcome to the UK - hope you have a wonderful time and discover many fabulous fibres....
Posted by: Fiona at October 31, 2012 6:09 AMWhat a nice little bird you have on your Tube Map!
Posted by: Corrie H at October 31, 2012 6:22 AMWelcome to England!! Hope you have a brilliant time :D Perhaps next time you'll be coming to speak/teach...
Posted by: Charlotte at October 31, 2012 6:33 AMI'm glad you made it safely! I bet London is wonderful. Have a great time.
Posted by: Mary de B at October 31, 2012 7:12 AMI adore London--go to the theater, if you can. It is always a highlight. And happy walking in the parks, and the British Museum, and all the fun touristy places. Hampton Court was really fascinating. I want to go back in the worst way!
Posted by: JodyO at October 31, 2012 7:12 AMAre you doing any events in London. Would love to meet you!
Posted by: C Bee at October 31, 2012 7:21 AMWelcome to England :o) And a fact for you about the Northern line when going southbound, just get on the first one that comes, even if it terminates at Kennington :o)
Posted by: Jade at October 31, 2012 7:30 AMWelcome to the UK. Just so you know,there's an amazing yarn shop in Islington, it's called Loop. I'm not in London any more and I miss it!
http://www.loopknitting.com/
I want to know what pudding it was that fell on you?? Treacle pudding would have been nice.......
Posted by: Maureen at October 31, 2012 7:35 AMGo to the Tower, if you haven't been. I was in London once for one day and that is the thing I chose to do. It was awesome.
Posted by: Caroline at October 31, 2012 7:49 AMHave a good time! My favourite thing to do in London is look up above the shopfronts (usually dull as ditchwater) to see the buildings above - there's marvellous variety.
Posted by: Awfulknitter at October 31, 2012 7:55 AMHere's hoping I run into you on the underground and if I do (consider it a warning) some Harlot-Kinnearing might happen! Enjoy your day!
Posted by: FL at October 31, 2012 8:13 AMHave fun and don't feet the lions.
Posted by: Peri at October 31, 2012 8:24 AMI meant 'feed' you know that don't you? It was nothing to with socks at all.
Posted by: Peri at October 31, 2012 8:25 AMGlad you got here safely. Enjoy the trip, even though the weather isn't fantastic at the moment.
One of my grandaughters is on a school trip in NY (since Saturday morning)!!!!! (from the UK). They are staying in a Youth hostel near Central Park and are all fine apart from not being able to go out for a couple of days. A holiday to remember!!!!! and I feel for the teachers with them. Next task is to get them home...Supposedly by Friday morning!!!
Greenwich is a good place to go...get there by river (up, or is it down the Thames?)
Lol just read the date on your message. Hope you are having a great day. Its raining a bit here (in Amersham......end of the Met Line on the underground!!!) but not too cold.!!!
Peri (above me), so she won't feet them... but can she sock them?
Posted by: Deborah at October 31, 2012 8:40 AMGlad you arrived safely.No more pudding for Joe,ha.
Posted by: Amy at October 31, 2012 8:41 AMWelcome to England (sorry it's raining but that's not been unusual this year) - hope you have a lovely time...enjoy the fireworks (5th Nov officially, but lots this weekend)
if you visit the London Eye then you might want to check out IKnit which is round the back of Waterloo Station in Lower Marsh Street.
Posted by: pennie at October 31, 2012 8:52 AMIs that a tube sock?
Sorry couldn't resist
What a wonderful surprise to see London on your blog. Are you going to be anywhere we can pop in and see you?
Please have a wonderful time!!
Welcome to London!! I have only been here a little over a year but I have really fallen in love! There is history at every turn & I agree with "Awfulknitter", look up there are little architectural gems everywhere.
Even though I hope you have a wonderful holiday I am so sad that you are not doing an event as it would be lovely to hear your knitting wisdom & witticisms in person.
Have a great time
Lush
London now, originally Sydney, Australia
I loooooooove London and exploring it with an oyster card:) Have a terrific time!
Posted by: Chantelle at October 31, 2012 9:49 AMEnjoy London! England is one of my favourite places to travel! I still have my Oyster card (and I haven't been there since 2008!)
Posted by: Lynne at October 31, 2012 9:59 AMI love London! The most unexpected treasure we discovered when we visited is The Mews. It was fascinating and fun. Ask questions every where you go, the attendants are fantastic at all the attractions and we learned more from them than the tour guides and audio tour guides
Posted by: Dianne at October 31, 2012 10:07 AMIn honor of Halloween and all things spooky, head to the Tottenham Court tube stop and remember: there was totally a werewolf loose in that stop!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ss0nT5DGHw
Posted by: Samantha at October 31, 2012 10:09 AMLondon, how fun! Be sure to bring back some yarn..or am I preaching to da choir?
Posted by: MB@YarnUiPhoneApp at October 31, 2012 10:12 AMI took a picture of Tooting Broadway, too, when I was in London. Are we childish on this side of the water or what?? :D
Posted by: jules at October 31, 2012 10:31 AMIt would be amazing if you came to knit at loop in islington tomorrow night. We meet from 5.30-7.30..
Posted by: Jen at October 31, 2012 10:33 AMWelcome to London from me too! If you are doing any events please do let us know - I'm pretty sure it would be a sell-out.
Posted by: Michelle at October 31, 2012 10:42 AMMind the gap!
Posted by: Jeremy at October 31, 2012 10:53 AMHope you enjoy your time in our fair city.
Posted by: Emma at October 31, 2012 10:56 AMBe sure to tour the tower of London -- too fun and see Agatha Christie's play, "Mousetrap" -- fabulous, and wander through Harrods, and visit Windsor Castle and when you stop to eat, it MUST be at the Cinnamon Bar -- best Indian food in London!!
Posted by: Wool Free and Lovin Knit at October 31, 2012 11:10 AMIf you are a fiber nut which I think you are - don't miss the V&A. The knitted pieces are fantastic and when I was there the library was open so you could get up close and personal with the embroidery, knitting and fabric dating back to the 14th century!!!
Posted by: Karen at October 31, 2012 11:22 AMHey Stephanie....looks like you've got a HUGE
'fan club' across the pond toooo!!! HAVE FUN!...(:
Mind the Gap! London is endlessly interesting. Have a wonderful time!
Posted by: georgia at October 31, 2012 11:34 AMLondon! The Tube was my fave part and that Oyster card can't be beat for getting around. Did you know that the British Museum is FREE? Such a deal. We stayed down Craven Hill from Paddington Station (and Tube stop) and ate a couple times in Ask! an industrial deco Italian restaurant just past the Charles Dickens pub. Faburlous food. Enjoy.
Posted by: Barbara at October 31, 2012 11:38 AMHave fun! Poor Joe! Give him a couple of extra hugs he needs them!
Posted by: Judy at October 31, 2012 11:41 AMSay hi to London for me!
Posted by: Lolly at October 31, 2012 11:42 AMWelcome to London. You have loads of fans here as you can see. If you have time visit Loop knitting shop, it's gorgeous. But of course you would have the scoop on all of the lovely places to go. Enjoy your stay.
Posted by: MonicaF at October 31, 2012 11:44 AMErin wins post of the day!!!
Posted by: MKLR at October 31, 2012 11:48 AMWelcome to London. If you make it to Greenwich you can use your oyster card on the cable car across the Thames too. Also if you want to stand in the rain and NOT get wet go the the exhibition at the Barbican!
Posted by: Debbie at October 31, 2012 12:12 PMEnjoy London. I loved the pictures of the tube station. My husband's family lives in Vauxhall and I've been to Tooting. Have a great visit and wedding with your family.
Posted by: Judy at October 31, 2012 12:46 PMWelcome to England! I came to see you at IKnit in London a few years ago - that was a lot of fun. Enjoy your trip and take home some happy memories :)
Posted by: Sarah at October 31, 2012 12:58 PMI'm pea-green with jealousy--the best "Halloween treat" of all--to be in my favorite city! Spent a term there Freshman year of college, & would move then in a misnute once I win the lotto!
Posted by: Lucie at October 31, 2012 1:12 PMI love London so much!!! I look forward to seeing your adventures. Have a great time, and enjoy everything!
Posted by: Debbie R at October 31, 2012 1:32 PMWelcome to Europe!
Have a great time :-)
Have a great time, and leave plenty of time for the V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum)!
Posted by: Amber at October 31, 2012 3:04 PMWe took a family vacation to London last summer and loved it! Check out Foyle's Bookstore (nearby to the British Museum). Huge and incredibly well stocked.
Posted by: Marie at October 31, 2012 3:29 PMWow! You're in England - let me add my own welcome. I always have a lovely time when I'm in London - I do hope that you do too! I too saw you at Iknit some years ago. x
Posted by: Jane at October 31, 2012 3:53 PMMy all-time favorite London place name remains All Hallows Barking.
I think it's a church near the Tower.
Paternoster Row is of course a close second, but there's hardly anything left of it now.
Posted by: Chris at October 31, 2012 3:56 PMHave fun! London is one of my favorite places. I've been 3 times and still have a long list of things to see..
Posted by: Ellen at October 31, 2012 4:01 PMYou always have nice nails and fingers. And definitely no tooting eh?
Posted by: Jennifer at October 31, 2012 4:24 PMEverything! Why didn't I think of recommending that? See everything!
Posted by: rams at October 31, 2012 4:25 PMHope you have a fantastic trip. Need to hear all about it when you return!
Posted by: Pat L at October 31, 2012 4:39 PMWelcome on our side of the big pond, and enjoy fabulous London. My personal favourite: Afternoon tea in the Royal Portrait Gallery. Great view, great service, great tea and geat scones! :-)
Posted by: SingingSanja at October 31, 2012 4:46 PMOi! Stir yer self! (Oyster)
Posted by: Ellen in Conn at October 31, 2012 5:47 PM*waves* have a wonderful time in our fair city x
Posted by: Julie Nelson Rhodes at October 31, 2012 6:47 PMWelcome to the UK! I'm coming to London (my home town) next week, will keep an eye out for any recommendations on here... Have a great stay!
Posted by: Olivia at October 31, 2012 6:50 PMOMG, I am dying of squee - you are totally in my 'hood! If you have time, you should check out the Sewing & Craft Superstore at Tooting Bec tube station - it's my lys and it's lovely :D
Posted by: m at October 31, 2012 6:54 PMwow! your life really is a whirlwind this Fall! lucky you.. ;)
Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at October 31, 2012 7:11 PMI LOVED London! I wish I would've had more time to spend there. :) Have fun!
Posted by: Manda at October 31, 2012 7:23 PMloving the yarn - what is it please??
Posted by: Diane at October 31, 2012 9:12 PMYay, you made it! So glad your flight was able to get out - now have a fabulous time in England!
Posted by: Rhonda from Baddeck at October 31, 2012 9:22 PMOh, London! We were SO lucky to visit London about seven years ago and had the most wonderful time. So much to see, so much to do, and the tube runs exactly on schedule ALL the time. Have a marvelous visit!
Posted by: Becky at October 31, 2012 9:34 PMI'm glad you're safe! :) (I heard about the dammage in Toronto, and when I heard about the woman that was killed by a billboard a part of my mind thought about you, but it's good to know that you are safe.)
Posted by: Kels at October 31, 2012 10:06 PMI just got back from London yesterday! It was amazing. Glad to hear you got the Oyster Card first thing. We got completely bamboozled taking a cab from the airport to our hotel. It was bad. Like, I don't even want to say how much it cost kind of bad. I highly recommend taking some of the back streets between locations. We found some of the most friendly and delicious pubs and restaurants just a block or two off the main roads in some of the loveliest little squares. Enjoy the UK!
Posted by: Tucker at October 31, 2012 11:30 PMSomehow, "Tooting Broadway" sounds more like a possibly dangerous habit than a tube stop, but, OK, have it your way. :) Have a marvellous time.
Posted by: yarnstruck at November 1, 2012 12:27 AMJust wanted to wish Joe a Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by: Cynthia Acheson at November 1, 2012 12:41 AMHave fun in London. Here's YOUR chance to get a tube sock picture!
Posted by: Tube sock Patti at November 1, 2012 1:47 AMTooting Broadway...*bursts out laughing hysterically*
Posted by: Kat the stressed knitter at November 1, 2012 1:56 AMI loved my Oyster card - still have the last one I purchased. A stunning world capitol. Have a grand time!
Posted by: cecelia at November 1, 2012 2:00 AMWelcome to town! Are you going to Loop or iKnit on your travels? Either way have a fabulous time x
Posted by: Emsley at November 1, 2012 4:31 AMWelcome to England! Hope you have a lovely time - nice to have you in this timezone. :-)
Posted by: Carolyn at November 1, 2012 6:50 AMI was in London in May, and it was amazing! Have an awesome time!
Posted by: Lindsay at November 1, 2012 7:52 AMWelcome to the UK, I hope you enjoy the crappetty weather and find much yarn. Gotta say though, dude I just finished uni in London, and moved back home to Suffolk, you should come to Suffolk so I can go harlot hunting in the wild! We have one good yarn shop.
Also do you not think London should have better/ more yarn shops?
I am knitting my IKnitLondon sock yarn and wishing you happy tubing and few muggings :D x
I hope your day of adventure is everything you could dream it to be (at least the good things. If you are like me at all, then it is pretty easy to think of bad things that could happen too). I am so glad that there are knitters all over the world. It is how I can vicariously travel to distant places that I might never get to see in person.
Posted by: Seanna Lea at November 1, 2012 10:27 AMWelcome to London, Stephanie! I hope you have a lovely time. It's a pity you've missed the Knit & Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace - lots of lovely British yarns including Jamiesons & Smith and UK Alpaca - but iKnit London stock quite a few. And, if you're staying in Tooting, you're only 10 miles or so from Mrs Moon in Twickenham. Of course, there's always Loop. Hope you get some time to buy some yarnie goodness.
Isn't it Joe's birthday today? Hope you all have a wonderful time and that Joe enjoys his day (which is pretty much over by now...as I recall, London is 9 hours ahead of us. Well, me, anyway. I'm in B.C.)
Posted by: barbinvic at November 1, 2012 12:48 PMOooh Tooting Broadway, just up the road from me. Hope you have a great stay, and please consider running a knitting camp in this country - you'd sell out very quickly!
Posted by: Charityuk at November 1, 2012 12:52 PMHave a lovely time in the UK! I got the biggest laugh a couple of days ago, watching the 'pilot' of the old series 'Little House on the Prairie', and thought of you - in one scene, Mrs. Ingalls is sitting at a spinning wheel, supposedly spinning. The wheel is whirling, she's treadling away, her hands are very busy -- but what she's actually doing is pulling FINISHED YARN off (yes, OFF!) the bobbin, and flinging yard after yard of it BEHIND her, presumably into a heap on the floor. I don't spin (yet), and even I know that's not really how it's done!
Posted by: Cherril aka Nicewitch at November 1, 2012 6:01 PMMay I be jealous? We just got back from Taiwan. NO YARN THERE AT ALL!!! Plus, HUGE language barrier! Plus: Great weather on the island!
Posted by: Gina at November 1, 2012 7:37 PMBe safe. Be sure to leave before Christmas. I've heard strange things happen in London each year around that time. However, if a man in a blue phone box shows up, it'll be ok, you can trust him. :-)
Posted by: Carol at November 1, 2012 8:03 PMTake lots of pictures. But more importantly, have a wonderful, wonderful time.
Posted by: AlisonH at November 1, 2012 8:07 PMWhilst in London, should you see an LDS missionary by the name of Harry Larsen, say hello and be extra kind! He is far from home, is my little brother and he has a fondness for knitters!
Posted by: kashurst at November 1, 2012 9:43 PMOh! Have a great time Steph. We love London. Been there twice. LOVE the tube! Try to go to see some plays. National Theatre is amazing. The London Eye is a fun way to view the area too. So jealous. Report back on any yarn shops please!
Deb
Have you made it to Mornington Crescent yet?
Posted by: Crabbygal at November 1, 2012 10:20 PMDon't forget to check the textile collection at the Victoria and Albert (also a good place to have lunch).
Posted by: Louise at November 4, 2012 2:06 PM