I’ve just made a flying visit to London to visit family and friends.

Moving to Yorkshire almost 20 years ago, I find it so tricky, keeping in touch with my friends and family from my first ‘home-town’.

I found a window to catch up and I grabbed it, but leaving on a Friday morning meant no hubby and no kids! I was travelling alone.

People always worry about me, because I’m small, innocent looking. I’m overly polite and friendly and I draw attention to myself by smiling at each person I pass. I do understand this, but I know that I’m okay.

My hubby always asks for regular calls and texts to make sure I’m safe and I get the same orders from my hosts at the other end!

On this trip, I wanted to make life as easy as possible for my friend at the other side, as she had a newborn and a toddler to worry about.

So, I insisted that I would make my own way directly to her house, which involved a train, a tube and a 20 minute walk…but I was sure that I’d be fine.

That was until I got a text from my friend…

“Please promise me that you will be careful, the area outside of the station is like the Ghetto”, she wrote.

I looked myself up and down and shook my head. I was in a velour tracksuit, holding a ‘Lady Lawless’ Claireabella jute bag in one hand and a Hamley’s toy store gift bag (pressie for baby) in the other. Oh yes, I was going to fit right in! Ha ha.

It’s funny how we make these types of judgements about places and have our unconscious stereotypical views. I’m usually quite open and unbiased, but even I felt a little concerned.

But, as I arrived, I walked out to the beat of Afro-Caribbean music, walked past an abundance of fabulous fresh food stores with giant yams and plantains with hustle and bustle that was exciting and I thought,

“Wow, what a beautiful vibe this place has”.

Yes, I got the odd “alright love” with guys hissing through their teeth at me and saw a couple of intimidating looking teens, but I could witness this anywhere!

I will admit that I walked a few hundred yards further before popping on my sat nav and looking like a complete tourist. But, once I did, I had a safe and very beautiful walk to my destination.

Of course, I will always be cautious, but I’ll always try very hard not to assume…people are people. Some good, some bad.

Having said that, I appreciated the lift back to the station that evening, all the same!!!!!