Today is set to be cloudy and cold all day. Tigger is at work and not here to encourage me but I did manage to persuade myself to go out for a walk, albeit a brief one. Even though it was short, it provided some surprises.

They’ve filled in the hole!

Yesterday, I said, somewhat sarcastically, that Thames Water would no doubt fill in the hole “one day”, that is, hinting that it would take them a long time to deal with it. Imagine my surprise, then, at finding it already filled in!

That’s not all, however, and another surprise awaited me further down the road.

Mylne Street closed to traffic

I found Mylne Street closed to traffic and for a good reason: they have dug up the road in order to deal with the second leak!

A two-man team

They have already dug quite a long way down, as you can judge from the man standing in the hole. This appears to be the usual pattern with works of this nature: one man doing the actual work and the others standing around watching him!

Bag to catch the leaking water

There was a pump in action to remove the leaking water from the hole and I saw that outflow had been directed into this bag, perhaps to prevent it spraying muddy water onto the cars and pavement.

Muddy puddle

The outflow had created this impressive puddle on its way to the drain on the left.

Myddelton Square Gardens

I went for a stroll in Myddelton Square gardens. There were a few people here but noticeably fewer than when we had come here with our coffee. The change in the weather was obviously the reason for the difference.

A promise of spring

These daffodils growing in the shelter of a tree offered hope that spring is still on its way in and that the dull, cold weather of the last couple of days is but a temporary setback.

Three species

There were not as many pigeons and other birds as usual but I counted three species here, wood pigeons, rick doves (feral pigeons) and crows, mixing amicably enough, perhaps because there was plenty of food.

Feeding the squirrels

I had noticed this lady standing near a tree but hadn’t paid her any attention because I am used to people doing strange things in parks, whether performing exercises or meditating or whatever. But then I saw a movement in the tree, then several: squirrels. She was feeding them and said that there were five of them. I tried several times to photograph them but they moved very quickly and disappeared again immediately. It was fun to watch, though, and was the highlight of my walk.

Old drinking fountain

I left the gardens by the top gate and came home. On the way, I photographed the old non-functional drinking fountain though I’m sure I’ve already photographed it. Let’s hope the better weather will return soon and encourage me to take longer walks.