So yesterday, I had cause to be in Central London for the first time in 112 days - handily just before today's relaxation of rules. Some thoughts follow. #lockdown #coronavirusuk (1/n)

Trains: travelled in and out off-peak. They were empty both way. Lots of room - I had a carriage to myself. People all wearing masks, and being repsectful. Very clean, clear space markings and efficient, so kudos to @SteveWhiteRail and @GNRailUK. (2/n)

Didn't take the tube but walked across town, so can't comment on that. The @cityoflondon was dead. No crowds, hardly any businesses open. Plenty of room to walk safely. Again, everyone observant of distancing, pausing to let people past them. (3/n)

One bonus was that @StPaulsLondon was open for private prayer. Peaceful, solemn and pleasing to offer prayers & light a candle there, whilst @RCWestminster Cathedral isn't quite back. Plenty of hand sanitiser available & staff clean where individuals have sat on departure. (4/n)

Walked to London Bridge via @boroughmarket and grabbed takeaway lunch. Less stall holders open, fewer visitors. But again, good social distancing and plenty of space to move. Clearly set up so that if crowds appear, they can be well managed. #ourboroughmarket (5/n)

After attending to things, walked along @Bankside_London. Felt for the buskers and street entertainers for whom there is no footfall and passing people to enjoy their craft. Sad that London could be like that for sometime. ( @MSebastianSound was impressive) (6/n)

The whole walk along the south bank was broadly empty bar some congregation and issues with social distancing around the National Theatre's pop up outside food trucks. Coming to Westminster Bridge, there was no one bar security. (7/n)

St James's Park was the haven of tranquility - well at least with the animals (including two of the Met's finest mounted police). Unfortunately too many people were clearly in groups, sat together with no attempt at social distancing. (8/n)

Through the park, past the empty shops of Green Park, onto the empty Piccadilly Circus (alas too early to stop in at the bar in @WaterstonesPicc). But seriously those shots of crowds trying to shop? They've been and gone. The City was empty. (9/n)

Final part of the walk was thru Soho (again few people, not all wearing masks), Carnaby Street, Oxford Circus and then up through Bloomsbury to King's X. Seeing London so empty was surreal. (10/n)

So in summary: London wasn't as busy as the TV has made out. The shoppers have come and gone. People were mostly following distancing (I avoided one protest outside the MoD which was patently unsafe), but some groups clearly couldn't care less. (11/n)

That was yesterday. Today may be different. But as vignette onto how things are, it was good to be in town, albeit briefly. Be better when things are a little more like they used to be. (12/12) #coronavirusuk #coronavirus #LondonIsOpen #Lockdown