I read recently that archaeologists had discovered traces left by some early hominids and that the evidence suggested that they hibernated during the winter months or perhaps entered a state of “torpor” as do certain species of bears. This amused me because I have often written in these pages that, hating the cold as I do, I have often wished I could hibernate until the weather warmed up again.

This came to mind today when we went out for our exercise walk. According to the Met Office, the temperature was 3°C, but – an important “but” – it “feels like” -1°C. The culprit, perhaps was the fog which makes you damp and, consequently, cold. Because of the cold, were not in a mood to go far.

We keep finding these

Near the Double Tree Hotel in Pentonville Road, we spotted this label tied to a lamp post. I had already seen others but without enquiring what they signify. They seem to be proliferating.

London Angel Hunt

This time I turned the label over and saw the enigmatic message “#LONDONANGELHUNT”. I naturally assumed that the “angel” part referred to our neighbourhood, the Angel Islington. For now, though, I put off further speculation.

We had speedily come to the decision to go straight for coffee and then to return home. There will be other, pleasanter days for longer walks.

Pigeons squabbling

At the corner of Baron Street with Chapel Market, I saw a gaggle of pigeons. They had found some food and were merrily squabbling and grabbing pieces from one another as they do. The fact that the pieces seemed to large to swallow whole, added to the confusion.

I at first thought the man with his back to the camera was feeding them but he wasn’t or maybe he had discarded part of his takeaway meal and that was what the pigeons were arguing about.

(I know that pigeons are not to everyone’s taste but I am fond of them. I sometimes wonder whether I was a pigeon in a previous life! 🙂 )

Chapel Market

Chapel Market was busier than on previous days though there were no stalls. Monday is in any case the one day of the week when the market is closed so stalls were not to be expected. The scene gives the impression that Christmas is quickly fading from people’s minds.

Mercer’s – open!

It was Tigger who spotted that Mercer’s was open again. We could have gone further down the road to see whether Costa was open (we have a Costa Club card bursting with points worth several coffees) but we both like Mercer’s coffee so that was that!

Inside Mercer’s

I went into Mercer’s, carefully walking in the direction indicated by the signs stuck to the floor, and ordered the coffees. Coffee shops divide between those who leave you to find the sugar, the stirring sticks, etc. yourself and those who ask “Any sugar with that?” Mercer’s belongs to the second category.

No, thank you, no sugar. I have never had sugar with my tea and coffee and therefore can’t imagine how people can do so. It’s so sickly.

During World War II, we used so little sugar at home that my mother was able to save up our sugar ration. I remember that there was a shelf in a wardrobe full of unopened packets of sugar. On several occasions, she was able to swap sugar for other goods.

Clutching our sugarless coffees, we headed for home.

Are you still wondering about the label on the lamp post? I looked it up on the Web and found this website. Does that explain it? Well, maybe. I suppose that when people show a flair for entertaining themselves, this is something to be encouraged though hunting angels is no doubt a seasonal hobby only.