Thanks Ben for being such a great host! Really Ben was excellent! His response to all emails was within minutes...even the one I sent during our daytime in New Zealand - not sure how he managed such quick responses! I was quite bad at giving an exact time for arrival, only letting him know the day before but this did not faze him at all. He still met us at his flat when agreed and with a smile. He showed us round his flat and gave us advice about where to go and what to see....it really felt more like having a chat with an old friend than someone we'd never met before.
The flat itself? Absolutely stunning! Ben and his partner have such a nice flat... If we ever moved back to London is exactly the sort of place I'd want. It's nice and modern and feels like a home. It felt very spacious and was warm and cosy and quiet, even though it's just a stones throw from central London. The location is great - an easy walk to Liverpool Street and the winners of Brick Lane! And only a 1-2 minute walk to Old Street station for the tube. And the view is pretty spectacular - able to see both the Gherkin and the Shard.
I have already recommended Ben's flat to a work colleague for her trip to London next year!