Tigger is at work today, as I explained yesterday, and so I must make shift to amuse myself. As I hadn’t been to Wilmington Square for a while, I chose that as my destination.

Looking down Great Percy Street

The weather was composed of “sunny intervals”, moments when the cloud cover parted briefly to let the sun shine through.

View of Bevin Court

From Great Percy Street you can see along Holford Street to Bevin Court where we walked a few days ago (see Cold walk to Riceyman Steps). In summer when the trees are in leaf, this view would be veiled.

Cumberland Gardens

I chose the “scenic route”, rather than the most direct. From Great Percy Street, I entered Cumberland Gardens which comprises a short cul de sac and then a footpath through to Wharton Street.

Once the Percy Arms pub

On the corner of Cumberland Gardens with Great Percy Street is this mid-Victorian, and now Grade II listed, building that was the Percy Arms pub. It has been converted to residential use.

Cumberland Gardens footpath

This must be quite a pleasant place in which to live, I imagine. The houses on the left look out over the back gardens of houses in Wharton Street and are insulated from streets with traffic. It might be awkward finding somewhere to park your car, though.

The path with no name

After passing through Lloyd Square (whose well-kept central garden is one of the few that are still private to residents), we reach this path which, as far as I know, has no name.

St Helena Garden

The path runs through a garden, narrow on one side and more commodious on the other, shown in the photo. It is maintained by the Amwell Society. Why is it called the St Helena Garden? Are they perhaps fans of Napoleon? No, St Helena Street is at the other end of the path and the garden gate is situated there.

Wilmington Square garden

A short walk further brought me to Wilmington Square and its central garden. In view of the mild weather (9°C), I was not surprised to see several people sitting in the garden, though all were nicely spaced among the benches.

Wilmington Square pigeons

As is usual in the borough’s parks and gardens, Wilmington Square has its resident pigeon colony. Someone must have put food out because they were busy eating. Later, something spooked them and the whole flock flew up into the trees in a coordinated movement. Unfortunately, I missed it as it would have made a good photo (if you like pigeons, that is 🙂 ).

Rain puddles

Puddles like this one show how much it has rained lately. I was fortunate to have a dry spell for my walk.

Commemorative drinking fountain

This Victorian drinking fountain no longer functions, of course, and looks in rather bad condition. When I saw it ten years ago, the inscription was already illegible but the stonework was at least clean. In the interval, it has been to allowed to become dirty and coated with greenery.

One thing that was plentiful in the garden (apart from pigeons) is squirrels. There were quite a few, actively seeking food in the grass and all looking very healthy. A possible reason for that was suggested by this little fellow.

Hopeful squirrel

I was trying to photograph a squirrel and this one, instead of running away, as they usually do, actually ran up to me! Probably because I was standing still and looking at him, he was hoping that I had food for him. I admit that I felt guilty for not giving him anything!

“Unofficial path”

I was hoping to leave the garden on the side opposite where I came in but all I could find was this muddy track leading to a gap in the railings. Apart from being muddy, it looked slippery and I preferred not to take chances.

Footpath north perimeter

I left where I came in and wanted to go to the other side of the garden to start for home. The north perimeter of the garden is not a roadway as is normally the case, but this rather charming footpath. There are stories about why a road was not built but I think they are probably urban myths. I don’t know what the reason is.

Steps at the end of the path

The ground slopes and so when you reach the end of the path, which has remained level, you need to go down steps to reach the street.

Pink car

WhenI reached terra firma, I looked across and saw this pink car. Very unusual.

Crossing Amwell Street

The return journey revealed nothing to stir my interest and so I took no more photos until I was crossing Anwell Street.

Busy Pentonville Road

I also took this photo of Pentonville Road because it struck me how busy it is these days, not only at rush hour, but throughout the day. This is quite different from how things were during the first lockdown when the roads were quiet, with only the occasional vehicle driving past. Perhaps the busy roads are a hopeful sign and we should be glad. We could certainly do with some hope!