Even before getting there, I got good advice from Gail: buy an Oystercard she recommended. This I did and it made my travels in London so much easier and hassle free.

Check-in couldn't be before 6pm which was fine with me as it allowed me to spend some time wandering through London. Once I arrived (a bit late, due to works at King's Cross/St Pancras), Gail was already there, and so was Toots the cat. Gail explained the few idiosyncrasies of how to work the key, how to connect to the Wifi etc, and then let me discover the room I'd be sleeping in for the next two night. It was more spacious than many hotel rooms, clean, fresh towels, and a bottle of water and a glass on the nightstand; very thoughtful!

Breakfast was included and uncomplicated (just help yourself to whatever you find in the fridge). Access to public transport is just three or four minutes away (the 390 bus). However, at least at the time of writing, don't trust Google maps which wants you to catch the bus at Randall's street bus stop (which is closed due to road works in York way), but the York Way Railway Bridge stop.

Weather was mostly pleasant (yay!), and my stay at Gail's "bright room near St. Pancras" and very first Airbnb experience was friendly, uncomplicated and easy-going.