During August-December 1996, John was assigned by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences to a secondment on the staff of the Royal Society of London. The president of the National Academy of Sciences, Bruce Alberts, owned a house, 2A Nugent Terrace, in the affluent London district of St. John’s Wood. He invited John and Sheldon to live in the house during John’s work at the Royal Society.

During their six-month stay in St. John’s Wood, John and Sheldon enjoyed the many pleasures of London. And they entertained visiting family and friends at 2A Nugent Terrace, especially at American-style holiday celebrations.