custard doughnuts

There was a storm last night. Wait, let me clarify that. There was a STORM last night. It was big. And after lightning that lit up rooms and thunder that shook walls the rain began. It hammered on rooftops and flooded streets. I fell asleep to it and woke up to it - a grey, sodden London.

For a very brief moment I considered getting the train to work. But I was glad I didn't.

Today I have been learning about how to apply for tickets to Wimbledon. I will not be applying for tickets to Wimbledon.

Today I witnessed an accident where a pedestrian caused a collision with a cyclist by stepping into the road without looking. The outcome was not pleasant for either party.

In which I reveal some less than startling facts about puncture costs and cross subjects effortlessly to rail against the inefficient and often stupid nature of the world we live in. Ranting... commence!

This edition of Things that happened today is unconventionally not about things that happened today, but rather things that have happened recently that I've collated together. I present several slightly odd stories from London, the city where slightly odd things happen.

There's been a lot of debate this week over cycling in London following the deaths of five cyclists in nine days. I originally wrote this some time ago and hadn't got around to posting it, but now seems like an appropriate moment. The problem, as with many problems, is that while accusations can be levelled at various parties there is no single answer to the question of how to make cycling safe.

There's a lot of people in London and I think it would help us all if we bear in mind a few things that the average traveller might not be aware of.

1. Pedestrians do not automatically have right of way in all situations.
2. Cyclists do not automatically have right of way in all situations.
3. Motorcycles and mopeds do not automatically have right of way in all situations.
4. Cars do not automatically have right of way in all situations.
5. Taxis do not automatically have right of way in all situations.
6. Buses do not automatically have right of way in all situations.

Now for some more specific advice. Please skip to the section that is relevant to you.