JJ drove us the 15 or so miles from the airport to the apartment (flat) we would call home for the next couple of months. Its in a section of London called Westminster near Baker Street and Regents Park, and a 20-minute walk from where Tim works, near the American Embassy. (Tim has to wear a suit to work every day!) JJ gave us the keys to the flat and helped us unload our luggage. (Click on the small camera above to view pictures showing the outside of the building and inside our flat.) You must use either a key or ring the flat to be buzzed in from the street. After entering, we walked up the narrow stairwell (with very narrow steps) to the 2nd floor (Flat H) and used 2 keys to gain entry.
Through the entryway, you can then turn left off the hallway and are in the living/dining room area, or turn right and are in the kitchen area. The hallway runs almost the length of the flat, ending where the two bedrooms entries flank each side.
The kitchen and bathroom windows are not as tall as the other windows, which rise up to about ten feet. The ceilings are perhaps 13 feet high.
I was concerned about not having enough closets or storage space; however, there is more than enough in this flat. We are both pleased with the flat and the furnishings; getting used to some of the minor differences in the bathroom and kitchen wasn't too bad - all except the washer/dryer combination which became a full days adventure.
The kitchen has a microwave, refrigerator, toaster, electric pot to heat water (for tea?), a small refrigerator and freezer, an oven/range. However, the gas is not connected, so we can't cook anything on the oven/range. Tim thinks that is because we're being compensated for our meals while we're in this flat; therefore, we shouldn't have a need to cook.
I'd forgotten to mention the wonderful church bells chiming each half hour throughout the day (I think they are quiet between 11PM and 9AM) coming from a cathedral behind the flat.
Also, we learned in orientation that the water here is very safe (although very hard water, it's good for you). There was a cholera outbreak here in the 1930's and they redid the water system; one portion is potable (drinkable) water - in kitchens, the other is for the bathrooms.
There's a pub on the corner across the street - loud Friday night sounds are very happy. You also feel safe walking through the neighborhoods around here.