On Tuesday and Wednesday, Tigger was required to go in to work. I could have gone out on my own but without Tigger to jolly me along, it was just too easy to stay at home in the warm.

Today, “normal service” was resumed, by which I mean that we braved the cold to go on our usual coffee run.

Winter sunshine

By the time we made it out of doors, the sun was already low in the sky but any sunshine is welcome at this time of year and I was enchanted by the sunlit trees and bushes.

St Mark’s Church

Meanwhile, Tigger had crossed the road in order to photograph the sunlit façade of St Mark’s Church, so I followed suit.

I think we both noticed the open door in the same instant. The last time we had seen the church door open, it had been for a private event and we had not been able to go in. We therefore approached cautiously and read the notice. This told us that the church, though closed for services, was open for individual prayer. Well, we weren’t going to pray but maybe it would be allowable to go in and took a few photos? I doffed my hat and we went in…

I should perhaps mention that even though I have lived in this neighbourhood for just over 15 years, this is the first time I have set foot inside the church.

Entrance passage
Photo by Tigger

First, there is the usual extended doorway and then a passageway – a slightly unusual arrangement.

Where do these doors lead?
Photo by Tigger

Inside the body of the church were tables with pamphlets and various items such as a large bottle of hand gel of which we availed ourselves. What intrigued me, however, were the doors that you can see beyond the table. Note the chairs, as though for people awaiting their turn.. What lies beyond the doors – rooms for counselling and interviews? I have no idea.

Looking towards the high altar

The layout of the church is the usual with two rows of pews at the sides and a central aisle giving a view of the high altar with its large stained glass window behind it.

The altar
Photo by Tigger

Here is a closer view by Tigger of the altar area.

An organ

I was intrigued by this organ. It is the smallest pipe organ that I have ever seen, whether in a church or anywhere else. I don’t doubt that it performs perfectly adequately, though.

The church banner
Photo by Tigger

To one side stands this banner bearing the name of the church and its parish (Clerkenwell), no doubt used in processions.

The font
Photo by Tigger

An essential piece of furniture in a church is the font. I don’t know the date of this one but it looks fairly old.

Stained glass window

I don’t know the history of this church and what it might have suffered during the Second World War, but the fact that most of the windows are of plain glass suggests that that damage has occurred. I counted less than half a dozen windows with stained glass, including this one. It’s a typical example of its kind.

Winter sunlight, Myddelton Square garden

I was once more admiring the winter sunlight brightening Myddelton Square garden and taking this photo when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye.

Squirrel watching from the tree

I just had time to see that the movement was a squirrel, running towards me! He then ran a couple of feet up the trunk of a tree and hung there watching me. You might just be able to see him in the photo. My best guess is that, seeing me lean over the railings, he hoped I had food to offer. Unfortunately, I did not. Having met several hopeful squirrels lately, I’m beginning to think that I should buy a bag of nuts to take with me on walks in case I meet a squirrel! I’ll try to remember when we next go to Sainsbury’s.

Unofficial Toilet Day poster

When we reached the main road, we found that someone had posted this unofficial advertisement for World Toilet Day on the wall of a closed shop. I had no idea that World Toilet Day even existed but can say quite sincerely that I support it. It is meant particularly for regions where poverty and other causes such as climate change mean that there is no proper sanitation. It is truly shameful that such inequalities continue to occur in today’s world. Then again, this country doesn’t seem to even be capable of caring for its own sufferers of poverty, let alone caring them those of other lands.