Tigger proposed for today’s outing to take the bus to Hoxton Street. As we had already been on one bus ride (see Bus to Tottenham Court Road), I couldn’t see any reason to object.

First, though, we took our reusable cups to Jusaka and left them there, pending our return, to save carrying them everywhere with us.

Window repaired

While we there we saw that their broken window has been repaired at last.

Aboard the 294

We crossed City Road and caught a 394 bus. These buses are single deck and have only one door for both entry and exit, making them shorter than most buses. As the journey proceeds, you soon discover why this is: the bus follows a tortuous route around the back streets, turning sharp corners and travelling along narrow roads. A “normal” bus would find this impossible to do.

Cafe life in Hoxton

We disembarked in Hoxton Street and found it quite busy. Many shops were open and cafes and other suppliers of food and drink were operating take-away service or allowing people to sit at tables outside.

Hoxton Street takes its name from the district of Hoxton through which it runs. Previously considered a typical “East End” street, its character is fading under the onslaught of “gentrification”.

Melons and other fruit

This fruiterer’s shop had a fine display of fruit outside and there were plenty of customers.

Poundland

Tigger had some purchases to make in Poundland. We had worn masks on the bus, as required, but taken them off in the street. We put them on again to go into the shop, though whether this is useful to do, I do not know. The shop was quite busy and maintaining a one-metre distance from other people was at times impossible.

Workhouse cupola

In Hoxton Street is the Hoxton Trust Community Garden. In it, visible from the street, is what looks like a clock tower, albeit with a rather small clock. It is in fact the cupola from the old Workhouse (of which more anon).

Howl at the Moon

This pub has a rather unusual name, Howl at the Moon. This, as you can imagine, is not its original name. The pub exists from no later than 1797 and was known by the more conventional name of The Queen’s Head. Its new name dates from 2010.

The Unicorn

This is another vestige of the past: a pub called The Unicorn. It has existed from at least 1811 but, sadly, is no longer a pub. It has as least been spared the indignity of a silly new name.

St Leonard’s Workhouse

This building, inscribed, somewhat euphemistically, with the phrase “Offices for the relief of the poor”, was actually the workhouse. Whether those forced to throw themselves upon its severe mercy felt any relief is a moot point. It bears the date 1863 which was when it was built, replacing its predecessor of 1777.

St Leonard’s Church

From Hoxton Street, we walked along Nuttall Street to Kingsland Road. There we caught the 394 going back to Angel. The stop is opposite the great mass of St Leonard’s, the Shoreditch parish church. The original church on the site was medieval and the current one dates from 1740. It is cited in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons in the line “When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch”.

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p align=”left”>Our bus carried us through the maze of small streets back to the Angel. There we left it and crossed the road to Jusaka where we recuperated our cups – duly filled – and then returned home. Mission accomplished!