As we set out under grey skies that were threatening rain, I could already feel water in the air. While there was a light shower during part of the walk – not enough to make us deploy our umbrellas – the rain only began in earnest as we broached the last few yards to our front door. How fortunate was that?

Ladybird
Photo by Tigger

Tigger spotted this ladybird that had landed on my jacket and was now heading resolutedly to only it knew where. Is it a native ladybird or one of the invading Harlequin ladybirds? Ladybirds come in so many different forms that it’s hard for the non-expert to be sure. We tried to remove it gently to put it somewhere safe but it took off on its own account and we lost sight of it.

Duncan Terrace

From the Angel crossroads where we left our cups with Jusaka as usual, we crossed the road and walked along Duncan Terrace. I think this must be a pleasant place to live, as it overlooks the gardens.

Screened by trees

Further along, the houses are raised above the level of the road and separated from it by a band of trees and grass.

Rebuilt to the same design

This stand of houses in Colebrook Row claimed our attention because the colour of the bricks is different from that of those of the houses on either side of them. It is a reasonable speculation that the original houses were demolished – perhaps because of war damage – and these rebuilt to the original design.

Old hoist

As we travel about London, we are used to seeing these iron hoists on the front of buildings. Usually they are high up – at third or fourth floor level – on buildings that were once warehouses. This is the first time we have seen one at ground level and attached to a residential property. We can only surmise that at some time in the past, the occupant of this house maintained a business with a workshop or store in the basement requiring the hoist to move heavy items in and out.

The Old Queen’s Head

This rather fine pub is in Essex Road. It is currently called “The Old Queen’s Head” though the street beside it is simply Queen’s Head Street, suggesting that the adjective “old” was added later in its history. The present pub was built in 1830, replacing an older one.

Fine tiling

The tiling, green with gold capitals, is very fine and in very good condition. We could see no breaks, cracks or missing pieces. This suggests that this work was done much more recently than 1830. The pub was rebuilt in 1900 but I suspect this tile work might be more recent than that. Either way, it is a very handsome example of pub building.

St James Mission Hall

In Britannia Row is this rather handsome building, erected in 1834 as a mission hall by the Worshipful Company of Clothmakers. Nowadays it serves as a “studio” which, I think, means a recording studio. That’s better than it being demolished, I suppose.

Church of St James with St Peter

Not very far away is the Church of St James to which the mission hall would originally have belonged. Consecrated in 1875, this too was built as a charitable work by the Worshipful Company of Clothmakers. But why is it now “with St Peter”?

Here, perhaps, is the answer:

Church of St Peter

This is the Church of St Peter, or, rather, was the Church of St Peter. It was built in 1834-35 (spire added 1842-4) but has now been decommisioned and converted to residential use. Its lodger, St Peter, has apparently taken refuge in the Church of St James – hence the “with” addition.

Entrance with doorbells

Here you see the entrance to the church, modified to serve as the entrance to the apartments within, including two impressive vertical rows of doorbells.

Despite change of use, the building still possesses a Grade II listing.

Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa

In Devonia Road, we encountered the last of our three churches. Its name, for those who do not speak Polish, may be a tongue-twister: The Roman Catholic Polish Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa. I have not been able so far to find out anything about it beyond what is indicated by the name board on the church itself. Perhaps I will discover more later.

We had rambled quite a long way and I was expecting a long trek home while casting anxious glances at a rainy looking sky. Tigger’s “inner pigeon” triumph again, however, and surprisingly quickly, we found ourselves back in Duncan Terrace.

Wood pigeon bathing in a puddle

Continuing with the pigeon theme, we encountered this wood pigeon taking a bath in a puddle in Duncan Terrace. As our presence made him nervous, we passed by at a distance, so as not to disturb him.

A few yards more and a couple of roads to cross, and we reached our coffee oasis – Jusaka, thus bringing to an end today’s little expedition.