Today was brightly sunny and even though it was cold (3°C) and I was on my own, I decided that I really must go out for a traditional “exercise” walk.

From the Angel Crossroads, I went along Islington High Street, intending to visit Camden Passage.

Lancaster House

Perhaps because the sun was shining on it almost like a spotlight, my attention was drawn to this handsome building. Its address is 31-37 Islington High Street and has acquired name of Lancaster House.

At a casual glance, you would class it as a fine but fairly typical Victorian building. Now, my eyes are not what they used to be and so I didn’t believe them when they told me that the date in the central pediment was 1986. I checked again when I reached home and could enlarge the photo. The date is definitely1986 so what was the solution to this enigma?

The answer came from that excellent site, British History Online. A paragraph in this article explains that the original buildings here were put up in the 1880s but were rebuilt with a facsimile façade in 1986. I was right to see it as Victorian but didn’t spot that it was a rebuild.

The “other” High Street

Lancaster House is on a corner with Liverpool Road, and beyond that point, the continuation of the High Street is called Upper Street. You could be forgiven for thinking that the High Street was just the short stretch between the crossroads and Liverpool Road. In fact, the High Street continues on the right-hand side, separated from Upper Street by buildings. This second part starts more or less at the Tram Shed.

High Street leads to Camden Passage, a pedestrian-only street that was once famous for its antiques shops and the thrice-weekly antiques market. When the small antiques traders in the Tram Shed were evicted, many, if not most, of the antiques shops in Camden Passage also gradually closed down but the market continued to be held.

“The times are changing”

On a wall in Camden Passage I found this graffito or street artwork. The slogan makes sense in the context of the pandemic and its likely after-effects, but the fact that the pigeon has what looks like a cctv camera for a head probably gives it a broader meaning.

Empty of stalls

I didn’t expect that the antiques market would take place but this corner site, which would have been filled with displays of antiques, seemed strangely quiet and made the point more eloquently than words.

The Camden Head

This fine-looking pub, the Camden Head, would “normally” have been busy but today it was closed and eerily quiet.

Islington Green

Camden Passage ends at Tesco’s in Essex Road. I crossed that road and walked up beside the Green to Upper Street. You can see from the long shadows how low the sun still is in the sky. A few hardy souls were sitting on benches and a few more were gathered at the open-air coffee stall.

Worst Trilogy Ever

The local cinema, Screen on the Green, was advertising Worst Trilogy Ever, which seems to fit the mood of the present moment quite well, even though cinemas are currently closed.

Church of St Mary

A few more minutes’ walk brought me to St Mary’s Church. Now Grade II listed, the church was built in the mid-18th century with a portico added in 1903. WWII bombs demolished all of it except the tower and portico. The rest was rebuilt in the 1950s. What was originally the burial ground has been rearranged as a public garden, leaving a few of the larger tombs in place.

Entering the garden

As you enter the garden, you meet these large trees. I imagine they have been here from when the church was founded.

Longevity and endurance

This tree, standing by itself, seemed the very symbol of longevity and endurance. The photo doesn’t quite do justice to its height and the spread of its branches. I felt very small beside it.

Drinking fountain

This picturesque old drinking fountain still works and some kind soul has contributed a bowl for use by dogs and any other animals.

Dagmar Terrace

An exit from the garden leads into a quiet street called Damar Terrace, probably in honour of Edward VII’s daughter, Princess Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar.

Little Angel Theatre

A resident of this street is the famous Little Angel puppet theatre. Unfortunately, the small building is partially hidden by a van.

Narrow passageway

The street ends in this narrow passageway without pavement. As I approached, I heard a motor vehicle coming up behind me and thought it safer to stand to one side and let it pass before trusting myself to the roadway.

Upper Street

From Dagmar Terrace I turned left into Essex Road and then left again into Cross Street which, in turn, led me back into Upper Street.

St Mary’s in silhouette

Going back towards the Angel, St Mary’s was momentarily in front of me with the sun behind it, giving this silhouette effect against the light. The low sun makes long patterns of shadows.

Marilyn as angel

This street art painting is quite old (as street art goes) and has become a familiar part of the surroundings. I don’t remember when I first saw it but it was years ago.

Sir Hugh Middelton

As I so often mention the New River and its progenitor, Sir Hugh Myddelton, as I passed Islington Green once more, I thought it only fair to include a photo of the man himself, atop his monument. Not that we are likely to forget him with so many streets and businesses in the neighbourhood named after him.

The Angel Centre

I passed through the Angel Centre, hoping to find that the building works had finished. They had not, of course. The place is still a mess. I wonder whether the work will improve the Center but doubt it though I would be happy to be proved wrong.

Fruit stall, Chapel Market

There were a few stalls in Chapel Market, mostly fruit stalls and takeaway food stalls. Interestingly, this fruiterer was doing plenty of business while a rival stall, a few yards up the road, had no customers at all. I can only guess that customers know which are the best retailers.

Looking back from Baron Street

I took my last photo in Baron Street looking back towards Chapel Market. There is perhaps nothing special about this scene but it looked cheerful in the sunshine and it is part of my (Covid-restricted) world. It is comfortingly familiar and I am fond of it.