VFR navigation question
Hi folks
I've just discovered that, although I've lived in North London for several decades, I don't recognize any of it from the air. I haven't been flying for long, and of course my flying instructors seem to know their way around, but I don't know if that is because of long familiarity with the area when airborne, or some other navigational skill you have to develop.
I've tried looking at aerial photos and trying to line up what I see with roads, towns, etc; and I can do this (sort of) for my area. But what I see from the cockpit doesn't really look like an aerial photo.
Is there some exercise for getting better at this? Or am I missing something?
Any advice gratefully appreciated.