As Tigger is at work today, I found it hard to motivate myself to go out but I had promised to go to the pharmacy to pick up something for Tigger and that gave me an extra impetus. After lunch, the sun decided to put in an appearance which helped too.

The Crafts Council Gallery

Everything looks better when the sun is shining. I have passed the Crafts Council Gallery (originally a late Victorian chapel) many times but it looked particularly attractive today, lit by sunshine.

Chiaroscuro Angel crossroads

This photo shows the contrasty lighting from the low winter sun causing bright areas and areas of deep shadow.

For a change, I walked through Owen’s Fields. Despite the name (which refers to extensive fields that were once here), the park is quite small. Its most noticeable feature is a large sculpture.

EDGERUNNER
Paul Neagu, installed 2012

Here are three views of it. Make of it what you will. There is more information on it here. I have to admit that abstract art is not something I readily relate to. I imagine that in summer it finds new purpose as a children’s climbing frame.

Owen’s Fields

Before leaving, I took a quick panorama photo of the little park. The panorama function is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it allows you to capture a broad sweep that would be impossible with a single frame but, on the other, it can introducing distortion. This causes the centre of the photo to be enlarged compared with the sides. It works best when photographing views with no nearby features in the middle.

Still decorated

I walked through into Chadwell Street where this shop is to be found. I showef it on the blog before, pointing out that the door was still decorated like a Christmas parcel long after Christmas. It’s now February and nothing has changed. This is just one of many businesses that seem to have been caught in a time warp. Quite a few will never open again. I wonder whether this is one such.

A glimpse down Arlington Way

During lockdown we have often walked along Arlington Way – you may recall that this is where the Shakespeare’s Head with its vine is to be found. Today, though, I contented myself with a quick photo. At the end you can make out the tower of the old Finsbury Town Hall, now assigned other duties.

Time has stopped at the undertaker’s

On the corner of Arlington is the establishment of Thomas Treacy, undertaker ‘s. It is a familiar enough sight but what caught my attention today was the clock, halted at 10:25 (whether am or pm, who can tell?). This is perhaps another example of neglect brought about by the pandemic. Some might see it as deeply symbolic!

Myddelton Square Gardens

I walked through the gardens in Myddelton Square and took another panorama photo., not a very good one, to be sure. This is partly because I felt the need to be discreet and take the photo quickly before people noticed me. That was because the gardens were unusually busy for the time of year and most benches were occupied. The sunshine had tempted people out to relax in the open air.

Busy pigeons

My friends, the pigeons (as Tigger would no doubt call them 🙂 ) were very active, seeming to enjoy the sunshine. They were waddling about, courting or flying in groups back and forth around the gardens. There were also the garden’s squirrels darting about in the undergrowth though I didn’t manage to photograph one.

A bricked-up window

As I passed the George and Monkey, I became aware of something I had not noticed before: on the top floor, one of the windows has been bricked up. Or has it? Perhaps it was built like that. I have no idea. If ever I visit the pub, I will ask and see what they say about it. Not that I am likely ever to go there.

I collected Tigger’s item from the pharmacy. Have you noticed that, no matter how well they know you, they still always ask you to confirm the address on the package?

Just a tree but lovely

Walking along Inglebert Street, My gaze was attracted to this tree. With the sun lighting the bare branches it struck me as beautiful. I think I mentioned that this winter has taught me the beauty of trees even when they are bare. I await with interest to see what new loveliness is revealed when the trees are once more dressed in their green costumes. At upper right, just beyond the tips of the branches, you might be able to make out the moon.

Sunlight in Myddelton Square

The sun was also lighting up the houses on this side of the Square, giving them a cheerful aspect. Familiar as this view may be, it always appeals to me, as does the whole of the neighbourhood which the pandemic has taught me to know so well. There is another entity that I have also come to know and love. You can see it to the right of the above photo: my Curvaceous Tree!

The Curvaceous Tree