At present, Tigger is working on Wednesday to Friday each week but I mustn’t grumble because that leaves us four days each week to do whatever we choose (subject to lockdown restrictions, of course). Yesterday was wet and I stayed at home so I felt that today, I must make the effort to go out.

Looking back in Pentonville Road

Here I am in Pentonville Road with a police vehicle, siren blaring, rushing down the hill towards me. You can see what the weather is like, overcast and dull. On the positive side, the temperature has risen to a heady 12°C!

Joseph Grimaldi Park

I first called in at Joseph Grimaldi Park. There was once a chapel here (replaced by a modern building) and this was its burial ground. Most of the gravestones have been moved to the perimeter and the area landscaped as a park. One grave still remains, however.

Grave of Joseph Grimaldi

It is the grave of Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837), actor, comedian and often dubbed “the father of modern clowning”. He lived in Islington and performed at the Sadlers Wells Theatre (which he eventually bought) and other London theatres. As you can see by the decoration, his grave is still visited by admirers.

Rodney Street – unprepossessing

I set off along the road that runs beside the park, called Rodney Street in honour of Admiral George Brydges Rodney (1718-92). It is not a very interesting or attractive street, being lined with nondescript modern buildings.

Reflections

It must have rained heavily in the night, to judge from the damp conditions and the large puddles such as this one. I hoped I would make it home without being caught in the rain.

The sun shines

Just then, as if in answer to my wishes, the sun started to shine! Even this dull street became more cheerful in the sunshine.

A sight of the canal

Rodney Street runs into Muriel Street. This seems not to be named after anyone in particular, but belongs to a group of local streets bearing girls’ names. I had come here to visit the Regent’s Canal and now had my first glimpse of it, albeit across a narrow garden and its wire fence.

Two paths

Nearby is a gateway that leads to here, where there are two paths. The one on the left is obviously the one that leads down to the canal. I’ll explore the other one later.

Path with shallow steps

The path to the canal is composed of wide, shallow steps. They have collected a fair amount of dirt and are wet from the overnight rain and slippery as a result. I descend carefully, sliding my hand along the rail… just in case!

Beside the canal

Here I am, on the tow path beside the canal. In times gone by, the barges plying these waters would be carrying merchandise, perhaps from the London Docks, to various destinations inland. Those times are long gone. These days the barges are mostly residential, permanently moored in one place though some barge owners follow a more nomadic lifestyle.

The Islington Tunnel

This is what I had come to see and to show you. It’s an entrance (or exit) of the Islington Tunnel. Unfortunately, it is in deep shade at the moment of the photo and hard to see. I have written about this tunnel before and photographed the Angel entrance (for example, see Duncan Terrace and Regent’s Canal) and am now showing you the “other” end.

In the days of horse-drawn barges, when a barge had to negotiate the Tunnel, the horses would have to be uncoupled and walked through the streets of Islington to meet the barge at the other end. The bargees had to push the barge through the Tunnel, all 960 yards, by pushing against the walls with their feet. A steam tug, capable of pulling several barges at the same time, was introduced later and continued in service until the 1830s, by which time most barges had their own engines.

Pedestrians and cyclists in the tow path

The modern obsession with cycling has resulted in cyclists being permitted to ride on canal tow paths. Notices clearly say that pedestrians have priority and that cyclists must pass people slowly and leave space. Do cyclist do this? Many do not and neither warn of their presence or take sufficient care. (See above.) This is a particular nuisance for people like me with hearing loss who may not hear a cyclist approaching from behind.

The view from Thornhill Bridge

I walked along the tow path to Thornhill Bridge and went up onto it. I was hoping to have a view through the tunnel and see daylight at the other end. Perhaps the bridge was too high up because I was unable to see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel”!

Thornhill Bridge Community Garden

At one end of the bridge is a community garden. I was surprised to see the gate open as they are usually kept closed when no one is in attendance.

Colourful wall paintings

There were colourful paintings on a wall overlooking the garden and…

A crocodile bench

…a bench on springs, painted to look like a crocodile!

The upper path

To start back, I chose to take the upper path, to see what it is like. It is quite pleasant and I was only sorry it wasn’t a longer walk.

Rebel tree

I admired this tree, standing, like a rebel, right on the path. In wish it many years a healthy life. Perhaps I’ll come back sometimes to see how it is faring.

Bee hive but no one at home

In the strip garden between the parapet and the street I noticed this bee hive but there appeared to be no one at home – unless they were hibernating. Perhaps it will serve as a “bug hotel” instead.

The rest of the return journey was along Rodney Street and then the main road with nothing that inspired me to take notice or photos.

A familiar view

So to end with is a familiar view that you will have seen many times already, if you follow my blog.

I shall now make a cup of tea and await news of Tigger’s homecoming. In fact, as I was writing that, I received a message on my phone: Tigger is on the bus and homeward bound. Time to boil the kettle and make tea for both of us!