Tigger had an errand to run in Amwell Street and so we went there first.

Amwell Street

For once, we entered at the top end rather than cutting across Claremont Square as we usually do. Although the sky was fairly bright, it was dull on the ground with a wintery feel.

Windowsill decorated for Christmas

We noticed that in this house they have discreetly decorated the windowsill for Christmas.

The front door too

The same house also has a neat star-shaped wreath on the front door.

While a few pumpkins, real or pretend, can still be seen here and there, most have disappeared, though a few linger on like the ghosts they represent. I must say I prefer cheerful Christmas decorations to the lugubrious dark-humoured Hallowe’en variety.

Closed shops

While Tigger masked up and went into the pharmacy to transact her business, I waited outside and took stock of the surroundings. All the shops in this row were closed, as is only to be expected. The shopfront on the extreme left belongs to the vet who is accepting clients by appointment only, as indeed are doctors and dentists, etc, for humans.

Barbering is not essential

Next to the pharmacy, this barber’s shop is also closed. Barbering is not an “essential”, in lockdown terms. If you need a haircut or like to be shaved by a professional, you are out of luck. Once again, more by luck than judgement, Tigger and I had our hair cut just before lockdown so we are in no hurry for a repeat.

Squirrel in a tree
Photo by Tigger

We passed through Myddelton Square and its garden. There were a few people sitting on benches or walking their dogs but it was quiet enough for the squirrels to be busily active. This one had found a morsel and had run up a tree to perch on a branch to eat it. Beyond a cursory glance, he evinced no interest in us, safely ensconced on his high branch.

St Mark’s, side view

This side view of St Mark’s Church made me think of a Sphinx, for some reason: the feline body couchant and the erect head and neck. A bit of a stretch? Oh, well…

Squirrel enquiring

We stopped to observe this squirrel. He was perched on the narrow top of a stump. Not at all nervous (no doubt understanding that humans, unlike him, cannot pass through the railings), he looked us boldly in the eye, no doubt hoping for a handout. Unfortunately, we had nothing for him.

From here, we passed through to St John Street and then to Jusaka where we picked up our daily coffee and then made quickly for home.

Once again, here are some flowers from Tigger: