Yes, today, ‘s’ is for sunshine, shopping and Sainsbury. The temperature is still hovering around freezing but the sun is shining and there is no sign of snow. There’s no excuse to put off the shopping any longer!

Pentonville Road

This is what Pentonville Road looks like today. Compare the first three media items in today’s post with the first three in yesterday’s.

Baron Street

Baron Street looks rather more cheerful today and…

My hand instead of Tigger’s glove

…so, perhaps, does my hand! (In case you are wondering where my tiger and lion rings are, I will say that with all the hand-washing and hand-sanitising that we do these days, I have thought it best to leave my rings at home. I hope to put them on again one day in celebration of the end of the pandemic.)

Snow but from where?

Outside the Three Johns pub, we saw this strange sight, lumps of snow. Where had they come from? In fact, we had seen several vehicles travelling along Pentonville Road with snow on them. Perhaps one such paused here and the owner swept off the snow onto the road.

Although there was no snow elsewhere on the ground there were patches of ice here and there so caution was still necessary.

Chapel Market

In Chapel Market, though the shops were open, there were no stalls, but we hadn’t expected to see any because the market is closed on Mondays and the street reverts to a normal London street with motor traffic as well as pedestrians.

Strange blossoms

As we passed along White Conduit Street, we looked up and saw a strange plant on a terrace or roof-top garden. The branches were empty of leaves but seemed to have produce strange, alien blossoms! I think they were plastic balls of the type some people put on Christmas trees. That’s one way to store them for reuse next Christmas!

And so to Sainsbury’s. I wondered whether we would find a queue waiting to enter because Sainsbury’s now monitors the number of customers in the store to prevent overcrowding. No, there was no queue and we were able to go straight in, pausing only to collect a trolley.

Sell us this day our daily bread

We set about collecting our goods. While Tigger took the trolley for a spin down the aisles, I grabbed a basket and gathered a few items myself. This helps cut the amount in time spent in the shop.

Queueing for the checkout

On Sundays, because we visit the shop as soon as they open, we can usually go straight to a checkout but today, a weekday, we had to queue. We were able to witness a moment of drama when the couple ahead of us angrily challenged another customer who seemed about to jump the queue!

To Mercer’s for coffee

We called in at Mercer’s for our takeaway coffees, of course. I didn’t even have to say what I wanted as they now remember me! Fame of a sort, I suppose 🙂

Inside Mercer’s

Yes, I avoided yesterday’s lapsus, and remembered to put my mask on today.

The sun over Baron Street
Photo by Tigger

When the sun shines, everything not only looks better but feels better, don’t you think?

A rewarding cuppa

At home once more and Tigger pours my coffee from the paper cup into my red coffee mug because she knows I prefer it in a “proper cup”! Well, one has standards to keep up, don’tcha know!

Over the last few days, parts of the UK have been experiencing snow – not all that surprising because it is winter, after all. Despite the cold (0°C today), London has so far escaped snow and yesterday, as I recounted, was even pleasantly sunny. It couldn’t last, of course, and we received our comeuppance this morning.

As usual, we were preparing to do our weekly shop at Sainsbury’s. As we readied ourselves, we glanced out of the window from time to time and the scene was, reassuringly, damp but snow free – and then we opened the front door!

Pentonville Road
Video by Tigger

It must have started snowing more or less at the moment we started out.

Bravely, we ventured a certain distance and on reaching Pentonville Road, Tigger took the video above.

Baron Street

In Baron Street, I took this photo, and…

Tigger’s glove
Photo by Tigger

…and Tigger took this one!

Chapel Market

This is the scene in Chapel Market.

Tigger was somewhat uncertain about continuing the shopping trip but I had proposed to carry on because, although the snow was not settling now, it was likely to do so later when the ground would become slippery.

So we went on as far as Chapel Market but by now the snow was beginning to settle and the footing was starting to feel slippery in places. As a result, I began to see Tigger’s point of view!

Tigger disappeared into a nearby shop to buy a few essentials while I visited Mercer’s to buy takeaway coffees.

In Mercer’s, I committed an unforgivable sin: I forgot to put on my mask. They didn’t remark on the fact – though I would have accepted them doing so – and I remembered half-way through the proceedings.

We had filled our first loyalty card and therefore scored a free coffee!

We returned home, where we took off our wet coats and I hung my dripping hat over the bath – the brim makes an excellent snow trap!

Perhaps the weather will clear up tomorrow or the day after. If we lack anything in the meantime, perhaps Chop Chop will come to the rescue.

I think for now we shall be content to remain at home like a pair of hibernating dormice (dormice that drink tea and watch videos, that is!). The shopping can wait for more comfortable conditions.

As the title implies, it is very cold today, 1°C according to the Met Office. The sun shone from time to time, adding a touch of cheer, but without adding any warmth. I have so far resisted wearing gloves, because they make it hard to handle the camera, but I finally gave in today.

A sunny moment

Once we started walking and looking around at all the curious things that are to be seen in even the quietest neighbourhood, this took our minds off the cold though I did at times have difficulty pressing the shutter release with painfully cold fingers.

A friendly tortoiseshell cat

In Cruikshank Street we met a friendly neighbour in the person of a tortoiseshell cat. My first cat was a tortie so there was an immediate bond. Torties have an independent spirit and are usually intelligent. They are also almost inevitably female.

Maisonettes in Cruikshank Street

While I was enjoying the sunshine on these houses, I for the first time noticed their particular design. In these days of housing shortages and increasing house prices, there is nothing unusual in seeing houses that were once single dwellings now converted into flats, but these houses were actually designed and built as what is often called “maisonettes”, houses with self-contained dwellings on each of the downstairs and upstairs floors. They are highly suitable for single people or small families – as long as both parties get along together!

Catching the sun

I couldn’t resist catching the sun during one of its momentary appearances. Would-be “professional” photographers would no doubt call this a bad photo but it pleases me and that’s what counts!

Path beside Bevin Court

We walked down this path that runs beside a housing estate called Bevin Court. Yes, we have been here many times – and photographed it many times too – but it changes through the seasons and there is always something to look at.

Percy Circus Gardens
Panorama by Tigger

The path led us to Percy Circus, another of our haunts in warmer weather. I always try to photograph the garden and always fail because I can’t retreat far enough to include it all in a frame. Tigger, however, took a panorama photo of it. Although panoramas distort the view somewhat, it will give you an idea of the garden. Perhaps in warmer weather we’ll bring our coffee here to enjoy al fresco 🙂

King’s Cross Road

Below, at the end of Great Percy Street, is the busy King’s Cross Road. Usually, we ignore it and turn back but today, to lengthen our walk a little, we went down to it. At the moment of the photo, it was quiet, caught between two waves of traffic though it is somewhat less busy at weekends. During weekdays, it is a solid stream of slow-moving vehicles.

Acton Street

Almost opposite Great Percy Street is Acton Street, during the week a busy cut-through, but quieter at weekends. Tigger lived hereabouts when she first came to London and so we went for a look.

Old Clerkenwell Magistrates Court

A little way along King’s Cross Road is the Grade II listed old Clerkenwell Magistrates Court, now a Clink 78 hostel. The current building dates from 1906.

Old Metropolitan Police Station

Next to it is the Grade II listed old Metropolitan Police Station, completed in 1870 and recognisable by the Royal Arms above the door. I don’t know when its police use was discontinued.

Strangely gesturing

We turned up nearby Frederick Street where I was amused by the dummies in this shop. While one was turning (static) cartwheels, the other seemed frozen in a gesture of appeal – perhaps seeking help to escape.

Pigeons feasting

We walked along this peaceful residential road called Cubitt Street, where we found a crowd of pigeons feasting on food that someone had left for them. Apart from occasional squabbles, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. A couple of the males were ignoring the food and were busy courting females.

Squashed plant

I felt sorry for this plant, confined between window bars and curtains and squashed almost flat.

The moon appears

Despite the sky being bright and the sun shining, the moon, half full, was making a brave attempt to shine. (Just to the left of the top of the building.)

Riceyman Steps in view

Cubitt Street led us back to King’s Cross Road where, through archways, we could see some famous steps.

Approaching Riceyman Steps

We approached the steps and then…

At the top

…climbed them!

I have already described a visit to these steps, renamed in honour of Arnold Bennett’s 1923 novel – see Riceyman Steps.

Cumberland Gardens

Now following Wharton Street, we passed the pretty pathway to Cumberland Gardens and, very soon, reached Amwell Street and our friends at Myddelton’s deli. Then, hot coffee in cold hands, we rushed home to drink the coffee, crunch a Kit Kat, and sort out our photos, glad to be back in the warm!

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.

The iPhone’s camera provides a photographic mode known as “live photos”. When you take a photo with this option enabled, the camera records, not just a single frame, but the equivalent of a 3-second video. The idea behind this is that, when editing your photos, you can scroll through the frames and choose the best one. It is useful when taking action photos, for example.

Call me old-fashioned, but I rarely use the “live” option. Tigger, on the other hand, uses it a lot. This enables her, on suitable occasions, to share with me what amounts to a short video of a scene that we have both experienced.

The problem, of course, is that WordPress knows nothing of “live photos” and treats them as ordinary single-frame stills. Therefore, if I want to to show the live photo as a moving picture, I have to convert it to video.

I have tried several ways of doing this but with limited success – remember that I now do all my blogging on the phone, using whatever photo editing tools are available for this.

You will have noticed, I am sure, that the “short videos” I have posted all suffered from a particular fault: they appeared dark on the blog. This was all the more annoying because they looked perfectly fine in the editor but then reverted to dark when posted.

I decided at last that it was time to call on some outside help. I downloaded an app called Lively and tried it out.

The app finds any live photos in your images folder and has three conversion modes: GIF, Movie and Frame. The first two are self-explanatory and the third, Frame, allows you to scroll through the frames and choose one.

For my first attempts, I chose Movie. The result looked fine… in the editor. When I displayed it in WordPress, however, the video went dark as before.

I nearly gave up at this point but then I decided to try the GIF option. Once more, the result looked fine in the editor. I ran it on WordPress and… it was fine there also! Success at last!

I have edited yesterday’s post so you can see the result for yourself. GIFs have the added advantage that they run automatically without you needing to click a button.

There is one small downside that you will probably also notice: the name of the app, in fairly large letters, appears in the picture. You can remove this by paying a small fee (£4.99, to be precise) and, despite being the skinflint that I am, I have tried to pay but, for whatever reason, my attempts keep failing.

I will keep trying and hoping to succeed. Then I will be able to say that I have finally cracked the “video problem”!

P.S. I have now managed to pay the fee to remove the app name from Lively (the previous failure was my own fault!). In future, GIFs made by the app from live photos will be unadorned but I will leave the name on yesterday’s GIFs as deserved advertising for the app!