We set out bravely enough, and Tigger suggested going a little bit further today, “somewhere new”. However, once we were out in the open, it felt very cold indeed, much more so than the advertised 5°C.

To make things worse, our usual coffee oases – Jusaka, Myddelton’s deli, Saint Espresso – were all closed and so we would need to loop back through the High Street and call at Starbuck’s once again.

In streets with trees, we noticed that the ground was littered with broken twigs and branches, suggesting that there had been strong winds overnight – thanks to storm Bella, no doubt. How, we wondered, do squirrels and nesting birds fare when the trees are shaken by gales?

Discarded already

We soon spotted this sad post-festivity sight, a discarded Christmas tree. There is nothing unusual about this, of course, apart from the fact that this one has been disposed of with what some might consider unseemly haste.

Another victim of wasteful consumerism

And, indeed, we had not gone very far before we came across another example, a dead tree awaiting the refuse collectors. It is so sad and such a waste, especially as trees are living creatures.

The Curvaceous Tree

We passed near to “my” Curvaceous Tree and for a while I gazed in wonder at its twisting branches. How long has it taken to grow and spread in this way? Winter has revealed the wonderful skeletons of branches that support the leafy canopies that hide them in spring and summer. Long may it survive and be appreciated and admired by future generations of tree lovers.

Costume twins

We were amused by this couple who passed us on the other side of the road, both dressed exactly the same. Are they twins or close friends? We’ll never know but they brought a smile to our faces and I would have wished them a happy New Year if I had been close enough.

Low sun on the gardens

The low winter sun, shining between buildings, cast an eccentric pattern of light and shadow on the gardens of Myddelton Square conferring on them a strange beauty.

Flowers in the gardens

We walked along beside the gardens and in one place, these flowers seemed to be seeking the attention of passers-by. Well, they succeeded in obtaining ours! The only problem is that my botanical ignorance doesn’t allow me to identify them. I really must do some work on that! They were so pretty amid the general winter barrenness.

Luminous reindeer

On a windowsill we saw this illuminated reindeer. As he was outside, exposed to the elements, I assume the lights are powered by batteries within the body. He was obviously intended to be seen and enjoyed by passers-by.

Miniature Christmas tree

So was this miniature Christmas tree in a pot on a windowsill, complete with baubles. Will it, too, end up in the gutter one day soon?

The Castle

We passed by the Castle pub which is closed, of course, with the chairs upended on the tables. The last time we had lunch here, we had thought about coming back for lunch on Christmas Day and, though we didn’t follow up on the idea, I wonder what has happened to all those supplies that pubs and restaurants must have ordered for Christmas that were not needed after all. Have they gone to waste? And have they had to pay for them despite not earning anything for them?

Abandoned chair

We came upon this lonesome chair, apparently abandoned. Where did it come from and why was it cast out? Has a new upstart chair usurped its position? Perhaps someone will find it and give it a good home otherwise the poor thing will join the countless discarded Christmas trees on the refuse collectors’ lorry.

The High Street

And so to the High Street which was, if anything, busier today than yesterday. Our destination, of course, was that dispenser of precious black liquid, Starbuck’s, the only one near home that we knew to be open.

Inside Starbuck’s

Today, after we had ordered our coffees, they allowed us to wait inside while they prepared them. As it was so cold outside, this was welcome!

You may be wondering whether w photographed any wreaths today. Oh yes, I’m afraid we did! As yesterday, I have gathered them together in an animated GIF slideshow. As for us, we hurried off home to enjoy our coffee!

Wreaths