Free free free

One of the things I love about London is the amount of free stuff you can get here throughout the day. To illustrate; as I cruise through the gym in the morning I pick up a workout towel and a shower towel, and enjoy the complementary shower gel, shampoo and conditioner (which so far seems to be kind on my '50% off' highlights).

On the way to work with one of several radio podcasts playing on my iPod, I stop to pick up my free Metro paper placed for convenience outside each Tube station, and browse for vouchers on my journey - this morning the latest freebie from Marks & Spencer (a higher class of supermarket) was the freshly squeezed orange juice, which went very well with breakfast. Out for another free paper at lunch - the Evening Standard Lite - to see what free events might be on in the evening. At this rate, I may even come home with a few pounds in my pocket.

Or maybe not - I am off to Paris for the bank holiday weekend on Saturday, and something tells me that I won't be completely unable to resist all the fresh baguettes, unpasturised cheeses, handmade chocolates, diptyque candles and bijou shoe stores that the city will profer up...

Oh, and lest you think I have it too easy here - I calculated the other day that I am paying $17,000 a year in rent. Never convert back!