When does Spring start?  today – 1st March, and it’s also St David’s day. As reported in the Independent , there are 2 opinions as to when spring starts. Traditionally it has been based on an astronomical interpretation  – and has been the spring equinox. This is the day when the day and night are the same length -  and this year this day is 20th March. However, having this date change from year to year is too confusing and so there is now general agreement that the seasons are better described by calendar months – so Spring is March, April and May, Summer is June, July and August, Autumn is September, October and November and winter is December, January and February. To us that makes much more sense and feels right!

This winter in England has been the driest for many years and the authorities are worried there will be a drought. You can be sure though that if  you are in London with the Olympics coming, you’ll have plenty of water. And who is St David? – the patron saint of Wales, born in the 5th century and he has been a focus of Welsh Nationalism since. Every year on 1 March in Welsh communities thorughout the world there are celebrations – parties, concerts, meals and so on to recognise this – in 2003 the Empire State building was decorated in the colours of the Welsh.

And if you’ve ever wondered what the Welsh language sounds like …. listen to Cerys Matthews singing a traditional Welsh song. Unfortunately although UIC teaches languages (currently 10 different ones) we have not yet started courses in Welsh.

It’s also the day the Beatles recorded Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (in Abbey Road Studios) in 1967 (45 years ago!!!) as a response to their experiences with LSD, and also on the same day in 1967 the Queen Elizabeth Hall (a part of the South Bank Arts complex) was opened.

England might not be best known for its culinary excellence but it sometimes pays to look in more unusual places for great food. If you are in the area around the school at lunchtime you will see hundreds of people in the coffee shops buying sandwiches for lunch – there are 4 big name chains of coffee shop within 5 minutes of the school. However, be a little daring and venture a little further afield and you might be surprised at what delights you can find between 2 slices of bread. The closest place to UIC that has still got some of the traditional cafes is Great Titchfield street – 5 mins walk away in the opposite direction to Regent Street. There is also Avellas cafe right next door to the school where you can get a discount on drinks and sandwiches with your UIC student card.

The Evening Standard has published a list of where to find the best sandwiches in London. Their 10 best is:

1. Op-La-Di steak banh mi (Broadway Market E8 only Saturdays)

2. Fernandez and Wells (43 Lexington St W1)

3. Kappacasein (Borough Market, SE11 – Thurs, Fri and Sat)

4. St John Bread and Wine (94 Commercial Street)

5. Mr Falafel (T4 Shepherds Bush Market W12)

6. Reuben’s (79 Baker Street, W1)

7. Rive Gauche (20 Warren Street W1)

8. Delhi Grill (21 Chapel Market, N1)

9. Birley Sandwiches (Cabot Place West, E14)

10. Mooli’s (50 Frith Street, W1)

And 4 of the top 10 are within walking distance of UICLondon, so no excuse to be buying a chilled, pre-made boring sandwich from a coffee shop! An remember one of the reasons for choosing London as a destination is the fantastic range of cultures here; as you can see this is well reflected in the sandwich choices available to you.

Have you ever wondered what the inside of London’s most beautiful buildings look like? Well if you are currently studying English in London, this is your chance. This weekend sees the return of the Open House event in which many of London’s most unique and beautiful buildings open their doors to the public. This is your opportunity to view and admire some of London’s hidden gems. And within easy access of UIC in Mortimer Street you can find:

The Gallery Pavillion at the Chelsea College of Art and Design – a ‘popup art gallery’

Jimi Hendrix flat in Brook Street – where he lived a(brioefl;y) and died

The Admiralty Buildings in Whitehall and now used by the Cabinet Office – a rare opportunity to see inside one of the famous centres of power in the UK!

London Underground Head OFfice – 55 Broadway has been the centre of London Underground since 1929!

Apsley House – Fantastic restored listed building – built in 1771

BBC Bush House – Home of the BBC World Service since 1940

Benjamin Franklin House – the only surviving home of Benjamin Franklin!

The Royal Society – Grade 1 listed building and home for the UKs national science academy.

Wigmore Hall (just along form UIC) a wonderful concert hall, now fully restored

and finally UIC – perhgaps the best language school in the world

Visit www.londonopenhouse.org/ 

If you are interested in beautiful buildings and what they have inside, this weekend’s event really is for you. And if you would like to come and study English in London, there are plenty of gorgeous buildings for you to view all year round.