These are two of the most well-known quotations from English literature of the twentieth century and they seem to be especially relevant now in this bitter spring that we are going through at the moment. At the moment, I’m sitting in the centre of London at 3 o’clock on 4^th April 2013 and I’m watching snow fly past the window, propelled by an icy wind. The seasonal average temperature for today is about 13 degrees, this week and for a month before that, it has been 4 degrees.

So, April is quite cruel because you think of April with bird song, blossom and the smell of new-cut grass. You might want to go for a long sunlit walk in the country. This April isn’t going to be like that. This April looks like being the new January.

When T. S. Eliot wrote his famous line about April, he wasn’t thinking about the weather. He was seeing the month through the eyes of a man in late middle-age who realises that he hasn’t done a lot with his life and knows that it’s too late now. April, with its rebirth of life, lust and ambition, seems to mock him in its lovely, vibrant youth. He also reflects that ‘ I have measured out his life in coffee spoons’ and that ‘ I can hear the mermaids singing but they do not sing for me’.

It’s ‘always winter but never Christmas’ in Narnia at the beginning of C. S. Lewis’ classic series of children’s stories. You can imagine how depressing that is. It is starting to feel like that in this endless winter that we are going through now.

Still, as British people, we are supposed to be patient and to tolerate negative situations without complaining. So… someone said it will be warmer tomorrow. I checked on the internet – it’s true. Tomorrow will be  7 degrees and 9 degrees the following day! We’ll be putting out the sunbeds in the garden!

This year the London Underground has its 150^th anniversary! Using the tube almost everyday to go to UIC, to work, to spend your free time somewhere in London or to see your friends, you might get on and off various trains or change to different lines many times during the day.

For those of you who truly enjoy the extraordinary London tube ride, we have a geeky little London tube puzzle that was made up by another Londoner who commuted on the tube so often that it struck his mind.

Did you know that on the London underground network there is one possible route taking in every single line for just one stop??

Here are some clues:

* You must visit each different line for just one stop

* The route involves taking the Overground and DLR

* You can change from one line to another, even if they continue on the same tracks (e.g. Go one stop on the Circle line then change to the District for one stop in the same direction)

* There are 4 permutations of start and end points, because only one of the two stations for the first and last move is important (e.g. if you are on the Victoria line and need to get to Stockwell, you can start at Brixton or Vauxhall – it makes no difference to the rest of the route)

And, do YOU know the route?

Enjoy puzzling!

(If you cannot work it out at all, here is the solution: (http://londonist.com/2013/02/want-to walk-the-route-of-the-one-stop-tube-puzzle.php)

Different parts of London all have their different personalities and histories. So, we have asked our teachers to write something about their part of London. First is Robin, our Assistant Director of Studies:

“I live in the south of London in a place called Bromley.  It takes me an hour to come to the centre of London.  Bromley is very green but also a really good shopping centre.  It used to be the first overnight stop on a stage-coach from London to Dover.  You could go further, but south of Bromley there was nothing but empty countryside for thirty kilometres.  If you tried to cross that at night, there was a good chance you would be robbed by a highwayman.

Bromley used to be a small town outside London on top of a hill. Now, the suburbs have
reached out and captured it. Bromley got a lot bigger in the 19^th century.  The main reason for this was the railway.  Bromley North Station was opened in 1864 (with the Railway Tavern pub next to it.) Suddenly ordinary people could live ‘in the country’ and work in the city.  The journey time for these Victorians was probably the same as it is for me.

Bromley was home to H.G Wells, one of our great writers and the father of Science Fiction, David Bowie; original musician and song-writer and most famously, Charles Darwin, who revolutionised our thinking about the natural world.”

Those of you who go out a lot to UIC club nights and parties on the weekend might have come across the expression “Dress to Impress”. It is often written on invitations, party flyers or posters advertising a certain party at a night club.

But what does that really mean?
It simply means that there is a dress code at the club, so you have to dress up a little bit more than you maybe would during day time or when coming to your English classes at UIC.

What guidelines do you need to be aware of?
Shoes
Do not wear trainers, but rather comfortable dress shoes. There are some options in between such as a driving moc or a streamline street shoe for men. For women any sort of high heels or pumps are fine. If you want to stand out a bit, why don’t you choose a colour accented shoe? Often style isn’t about matching clothes, but coordinating them well…

Trousers
It is not that you cannot wear denim jeans at all in a club. If the denim isn’t ripped, cut, or modern washed, but rather groomed and well combined with a nice shirt, it will look fine. Mens’ trousers should have a flat front. In summer linen might go well with your outfit too. Be creative and dare to wear a different coloured trousers than black! Women can choose tight, skinny jeans paired with a trendy top, colourful pumps and a nice bag.

Dresses
Clean and well-put together outfits are always fitting many occasions. They shouldn’t be too provocative or revealing, but rather classy, elegant and trendy. Women could wear dresses or skirts with an elegant blouse and trendy shoes. A beautiful, fitted knee-length dress worn with delicate heels is always a good choice.

Shirts
The fitting of a dress shirt is very important, it cannot be too big or else men get lost in it. Maybe chose a shirt with some elegance. If you are thinking about wearing an undershirt, make sure it is a V-neck so it doesn’t stick out from your unbuttoned collar. Other options to combine it with could be tailored vests, lightweight cashmere V-neck or a cardigan.

Accessories
They are a finishing element that really can impress others.  Only wear accessories that you feel comfortable in. For men this could be a tie or bow tie, a belt, a nice watch or glasses. Women often use a trendy handbag or nice jewellery to accentuate their style. Hair and make-up is often done for a final elegant touch.

Always keep in mind:
Your own confidence and personality is really how you can win other people over! It does not matter what style guidelines are suggested to you by magazines and the media. It only is important that you wear what YOU like (something that is appropriate for the occasion) and that you feel comfortable in your clothes!

Have you ever wondered which are the 10 best events in London’s annual calendar? Which events, festivals and carnivals should you not miss when living in London? Here is a list of the 10 must-see events in London’s year that every visitor to the city must experience:

1. Chinese New Year
When: Sunday 10^th – Tuesday 12^th February
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square

Don’t miss Chinese New Year in London! Huge papier-mâché dragons dance through the streets of Chinatown with smoke and fire-crackers banging loudly on the pavement.

2. University Boat Race
When: Sunday 31^st March
Nearest Tube: check the route online for details

The annual University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge has become a national institution. It takes place in April between Putney and Mortlake, and people tend to line the pubs along the route.

3. London Marathon
When: Sunday 21^st April
Nearest Tube: check the route online for details

You don’t have to take part, but if you’re feeling athletic then check out the London Marathon in April. 35,000 runners compete in one of Europe’s largest road races from Greenwich Park to Buckingham Palace.

4. State Opening of Parliament
When: May
Nearest Tube: Green Park / Charing Cross

The State Opening of Parliament takes place in November, when the Queen rides her state coach down The Mall to Parliament Square. She then enters the House of Lords to read the government’s speech.

5. Chelsea Flower Show
When: Tuesday 21^st – Saturday 25^th May
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square

The gardening event of the year is held in May, around the grounds of Christopher Wren’s Royal Hospital in Chelsea. The Queen usually makes an appearance on one of the days, so you can even rub shoulders with royalty!

6. Trooping the Colour
When: Saturday 15^th June
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross

See some British pageantry at the Trooping of the Colour, held to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday in June. Meet at Horse Guards to see one of her Household regiments parading.  Lots of flag-waving takes place at this event!

7. Notting Hill Carnival
When: Sunday 25^th + Monday 26^th August
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill

The Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party with more than a million people in attendance. You get live music, colourful costumes and plenty of Caribbean culture held over a sunny summer bank holiday.

8. Last Night of the Proms
When: Saturday 7^th September
Nearest Tube: South Kensington

The Prom concerts boast some of the best classical music in the world. They are held over July and August in the Royal Albert Hall and tickets are not expensive. The famous ‘Last Night’ draws big crowds, as does the sister show in Hyde Park.

9. Lord Mayor’s Show
When: Saturday 9^th November
Nearest Tube: Mansion House

The Lord Mayor’s procession takes place in November, when the newly-elected Lord Mayor of London rides his coach from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice and takes his oath of allegiance. It is followed by a huge firework display.

10. Remembrance Day Parade
When: Sunday 10^th November
Nearest Tube: Westminster

The annual war memorial service and veteran’s parade. The Queen, Prime Minister and leading politicians from all political parties are always in attendance, laying wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph.

Don’t forget to take photos of any events you go to and post them on UIC’s Facebook Page!