It is now hard to recall the warm weather that we enjoyed but few weeks ago. We seem set for a typical British winter of mournful cold grey days punctuated with rain and gales.

On Sunday, we performed the usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s and spent the rest of the day at home. Shameful, I know 🙂

Crockery stall, Chapel Market

On the way, we passed through Chapel Market. There were more stalls today than the rather poor showing of recent weeks but it was nothing like we were used to in pre-Covid days. Will those happy times ever return?

Pret A Manger
Photo by Tigger

We realised that in our hurry to finish the shopping we had left a little too early: Sainsbury’s was not yet open. We went into Pret in the Angel Centre to have coffee while we waited. The scene here too was very different from what we were accustomed to. Transparent screens had been erected all along the counter to protect staff and at least half the tables and chairs had been piled in a corner and the rest spread out to allow for social distancing. In the circumstances, it is easy to feel depressed. This, however, is our reality now and we had better make the best if it.

This week, Tigger is going in to the office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and while I could venture out on my own, I feel little inclination to do so.

Trolley packed with laundry

One job needed doing, however. We had accumulated a pile of laundry and it needed to be seen to. Tigger packed it into pillow cases and loaded these into the shopping trolley. On Monday morning (yesterday), I towed it down to the launderette in St John Street for a service wash. They weren’t very busy and so I was able to collect it, washed, dried and folded, later the same day. The provide a good and efficient service.

I think I have mentioned that St John Street slopes downwards from the Angel. The incline is fairly slight and you probably wouldn’t even notice it when walking unencumbered. But you do notice it when dragging a loaded trolley up the hill on the way home!

Today’s job was an errand in Amwell Street. Now that we are not taking our lockdown strolls around the neighbourhood, I have come to miss them. So on the way to Amwell Street, I decided to take a little detour – just for old times’ sake.

The “Curvaceous Tree”

I first visited the “Curvaceous Tree” that lives in the corner of the park in Myddelton Square. It has shed its leaves and is looking rather bare though surrounding vegetation provides a little cover for its nakedness. I am looking forward to the spring and seeing it dressed in fresh green leaves once more.

Myddelton Square garden

Myddelton Square garden tended to be crowded in the warm weather but was almost deserted today except for a couple of dog walkers.

I walked along the pavement beside the houses looking for the two cats that often peered at us through the open window but there was no sign of them. I haven’t seen them for quite a while and wonder whether they have moved house.

Myddelton Square

This is a view of one side if the square. You can see how dull and sad it looks under grey skies.

Cushions

While in Amwell Street, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the window display of cushions, as I have done several times before. This time, though, I checked the name of the shop, something I hadn’t done previously. It rejoices in the poetic appelation of Timorous Beasties.

Usually, the motifs on the cushions are all of the same kind, birds or insects, for example, but today’s collection is selection. Most are birds (though each one different) but the middle one shows a bee and, at top left, there is a squirrel. I am tempted to buy one in case they stop showing them in the window!

View from Claremont Square

Just as I reached Claremont Square on the way home, the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the scene with a pale sunny glow. I just had time to click the shutter before the sun disappeared again. I rather think we shall not see it again today!