In one of those sudden reversals so typical of our beloved British climate, the temperature today “soared” to 18° C (64° F). The sunshine made it feel even warmer.

Our walk took us over familiar territory but there is always something to notice, either because it is new or because it is something familiar that has sparked a new thought.

For those of you who like cat photos (and according to Facebook that’s near enough everyone!) here are a couple I took en route.

Both are of the same cat but, then, fashion photographers see nothing wrong with taking multiple shots of the same subject and you can only photograph what is there, unlike the artist who can produce pictures from memory.

We went down Arlington Way, which I mentioned yesterday, trying to spot the listed buildings, and then turned into Myddelton Passage.

This starts as an alley to the left of the Shakespeare’s Head pub and then broadens out into a cul de sac road in front of some dwellings. What is famous about this otherwise unprepossessing by-way is its ancient brick wall or, rather, the inscriptions this bears.

Inscriptions

I admit that they are a little hard to distinguish (which is presumably why other photographers have outlined some of them to make them stand out) but you can probably see enough to have an idea of what they are like.

Here is one in close-up:

Dated 1850

In case you are wondering, yes, the date is undoubtedly genuine and all of the inscriptions date from the middle of the 19th century.

So what are they? A typical inscription consists of a set of initials, a badge number and the year. Research has been able to identify some of the inscribers: all were police constables on whose beat the passage found itself.

The curious thing is that they spent enough time here to complete the often deeply carved characters, even allowing for the fact that they might have spent several sessions completing an inscription.

One theory is that PCs on night rounds might prefer to lurk here than face possibly dangerous encounters with nocturnal criminals. Less salubrious ideas have been mooted such as that this was perhaps a “love alley”, a hang-out for ladies of the night. If that were true, though, would the bobbies have had time to carve their initials…?

Whatever the reason for their presence here, the policemen have left a record of their lives that has so far lasted some 120 years and will presumably last until the wall eventually collapses or is demolished.

At about 8:30 a.m. the doorbell rang. I hoped it might be the postman but, given the previous incidents this week of scam callers (see Suspicious caller and False alarm), I didn’t buzz the front door open, as I would done before, but went and opened it in person. Just as well I did.

Standing on the doorstep was a tall young man in dark clothes, his face covered by a black face mask, carrying a tool box. He announced that he was from the Council and had come to check the security of the communal area. He offered no ID.

I replied that we had received no letter to this effect and that I had already contacted the Council who had informed me that no such jobs had been commissioned on this prioperty. They had also emphasised that all such work would be notified to tenants in advance by letter.

He asked me to confirm our flat number and muttered something about “a lady”, pulling out his phone, as though searching for a reference or phone number. I told him that it made no difference as I was not allowing him access. With that I shut the door.

I next went through the by now familiar routine of contacting the police on the 101 phone number to update my existing report. My information was duly noted and the officer told me that details would be forwarded to the local police as there might be a gang operating in the area.

Then I called the Council’s Housing Department to report to them. The last time I called, I had spoken to a gentleman who was very much on the ball and had responded well to my information. This time, I was put through to a young man who was obviously out of his depth. I believe, but am not sure, that he took notes and if so, perhaps these will eventually be matched up with my previous report. We can but hope.

That today’s caller shoiild mention our flat specifically as the point of contact shows that these scammers have targeted us specially for some reason. I can only hope that the fact that I have now sent three of their callers packing will persuade them not to pester us further.

Update at 12:25 p.m.

The hope expressed in the last sentence above has already been dashed. The doorbell rang and on the doorstep was a man carrying a bag of tools and claiming to from the Council to carry out “a front door survey”, whatever that is meant to be.

“You will have received a letter,” he said.

I told him we have had no letter, that this is a scam and that I am not admitting him.

He took it all calmly and remained polite as I shut the front door.

I am beginning to wonder whether these are in fact genuine tradespeople who are themselves being conned, perhaps by a gang of people taking finders’ fees for for non-existent jobs. Does that sound far-fetched? It would fit the picture and explain why these people seem genuine.