Bus

When I lived in the East End I used to get the bus all the time. In Hackney there isn't a tube so bus is the only way to travel in to Central London by public transport. I used to get it every day and I really know my way around that area of London partly due to using the bus and being able to see where things are. The No15 for example is almost as good as an open top bus as it goes from the Tower through the City to Trafalgar Sq.
Since I've been a south Londoner my bus use has reduced to virtually zero - the odd trip when "up west" but nothing locally. Before we moved we lived so close to the train station and the town centre that the only option for getting there was walking. Now I could still walk (and do - it's only an extra 10 mins), however, I have the option of getting the bus. It stops very close to our house and I've got it home when arriving late and when arriving laden with shopping. It's almost like having my own private free (by virtue of annual travel card) taxi. I've only got it between my house and the town centre though;my next plan is to get it in the other direction and see where I end up.