We thought that it would a good idea to show visitors a map of the London Underground (Tube) on Virtual London, to assist them in navigating the often-confusing complex of various lines and stations.

Amazingly London Underground refused us permission to publish the map, unless we paid them for it. Bearing in mind that the Tube is heavily subsidised by the tax payer, and that we would encourage travellers, by displaying the map, to use the Tube, we thought that paying anything (let alone the amount that they asked for, on an annual basis!) was totally unreasonable.

Our advice is therefore to use the excellent bus London service. We think that it is safer and far more enjoyable to view the wonderful architecture of London from street level, rather than sharing the deep and dirty Tube tunnels with often surly and less than helpful staff. They also tend to come out on strike for almost any reason, as they did most recently on February 5th.

This last strike was supposed to be a 24 hour one, starting at 5.30 pm on the Sunday, but it actually ruined two days for businesses, their staff, customers and visitors. Because, on the Monday evening, if you had arrived at a Tube station, you would have found a notice stating that 'The Strike finished at 5.30 pm, however, as the next drivers' shift does not start until 10 pm, there will be no trains until 5.30 am tomorrow.'

This really pleased all the Porters staff, who were merely trying to get home by the only feasible means at the end of one of our quietest day's trading ever - thanks to the strike, which ruined both Sunday and Monday for us.

By the way, London Underground managers have recently changed the staff uniform, but we wonder how much smart new clothes will actually assist in the smooth running of the trains, maybe brand new rolling stock, or escalators that work all of the time would have been a better idea!

Oops, we nearly forgot to tell you about the infestation of rodents and mosquitoes that the network suffers from!