Adam, won't be in England until maybe 2008. We are planning a jaunt to Shanghai, which should take place in 2007. Friends of ours are living there while the husband completes work for his U.S. company. Eager to see that city.
Interestingly Adam, I stayed in the Earl's Court neighborhood on a previous trip to London. We wanted to be in a real neighborhood away from the tourist clusters. Earl's Court is a lovely area. We stayed at the Ibis Earl's Court Hotel on Lillie Road, near the West Brompton tube stop. Ate at the Prince Of Wales pub. Strolled both Warwick Road and Earl's Court Road. Shopped along Earl's Court Road. Ate at the Italian place at Earl's Court and Old Brompton. Even went to the Tesco on Cromwell. Plus, did all the usual London tourist things. You know, British Museum, Westminster, St. Paul's, Victoria And Albert Museum (nice glass and paperweight collection), Tower Of London, etc.
Anyway, I hope your paperweight making class is a success.