My flat is on the third floor of a late Victorian conversion. It sits about ten feel above street level with bramble encroaching from the west side. This empty lot separates my home from a steep embankment that leads down to the train tracks. Living this close to the tracks is more of a blessing than a curse. Although not underground the trains are far enough below street level that the sound is not that intrusive. And there presence means no development can happen to the south or west of the building. For living in such a congested city we are fortunate enough to have the most spectacular views. Sitting in my favourite window I can see all the way to the London Eye in the southwest (well at least the top half of it). To the south I watch the planes as they enter their final decent into Heathrow. On a clear day I can see the hills of the North Downs.