This is where we differ, I hate shopping, unless I'm somewhere different and there are unusual things to see, such as a fascinating market in Malta I went to once.
The problem with this country now, unless you go to somewhere like Camden market ( would you believe I've NEVER been there!) is that virtually everywhere is the same. Every town has its shopping centre or mall, with identical shops. If you go to a new town, you can predict exactly which shops will be there! Even famous places like Oxford Street in London, or Princes Street in Edinburgh, have pretty much the same old shops, plus a few department stores. Harrods is fascinating though.
As Bill says, you tend to ignore what's on your doorstep. We hardly ever go into London. The average tourist probably knows London better than me, although I used to work in central London, and travel around it as part of my job. I've forgotten my way around now!
As for Oxford Street, I find it too crowded and noisy, and parts of it are quite shabby.I once took Daughter there because she convinced me there would be a much better choice of trainers there.
No.
We came home with a pair we could have bought locally. She enjoyed it though, especially all the "buff" young assistants in the giant Nike shop. I'd better explain that "buff" is the latest word for handsome etc. Very odd. She is keen on West Indian types, and one reason she looked forward to going to Tobago was the thought of all those "buff" boys waiting for her at the airport.( It wasn't exactly like that in reality of course!)
I must hasten to add that she's quite shy really! Like me.
I'd never get a job in tourism! Never mind, there's more to London than shops. On a clear day we can see the London Eye from a high point near here. Might even go on it one day. It looks lovely lit up at night.
Enough rambling! Things to do, places to go, people to see.
Cheers Carolnoe
Just like a bl***y tourist. I'm sure my London friend was embarrassed but too polite to say anything 
or spending hours in waiting for her in constant worry.
Good Afternoon to all of the Wafflers,
We do time sharing and since we have very mediocre resorts the only way we can get into the tropics in the middle of winter is to bank them early and request a trade far out in the future. We list the resorts we would like to trade into and the dates we want and start an ongoing search. As soon as we get a match we accept it as we don't want to take a chance on turning something down and then not getting a trade we would want. We are going to Mazatlan Mexico in March 2008, which was booked over a year ago, and just confirmed a trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico for February 2009. Actually I can't be too sad as PV is also a wonderful place to vacation in ( we were there in 2005) and getting away from the snow and cold is always welcome. 
. Teenage boys and thier shoes take up soooo much space! Cost me a fortune every weekend away in extra bread, eggs and milk. Unfortunately a burst tyre in the fast lane of the M3 ended our gypsy style breaks.
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