Visiting my computer

This little winged beetle, which I have photographed previously (see Small creature), pays a visit to my computer every so often and then disappears again. Of course, it could be a different one each time but I like to think it’s the same one and to wonder what it does when it’s not on my computer. Mysterious lives that are hard to fathom!

It was a few degrees warmer today (9°C) than recently but rather cloudy. We had several tasks to perform and these acted as the backbone on which to hang the skeleton of our walk.

Chapel Market

First, we went to Chapel Market. Although (as you no doubt remember) the market is closed on Mondays, the shops are open (those that are allowed to open under the current restrictions, that is).

Tigger is in there somewhere

Tigger needed to go to Superdrug and while she was inside, I preferred to wait outside, remembering to stand away from the door to avoid people forming a queue behind me!

The fruit and veg shop

We paused at the fruit and veg shop, not to buy anything, but to admire the colours and to wonder what the brown vegetables were in the basket in front in the left. We concluded that they were probably yams.

The pet shop was open

The pet shop was open and, as we always did in the “old days”, we looked to see if the pet shop cat was visible but he was not.

Church of St Silas

In Penton Street, I took a photo of the Church of St Silas. Whenever I pass it, the name gives me pause because “Silas” is the pseudonym I gave my neighbour in the flat above whose death was an important event in our lives (see Death of a pigeon-fancier).

I think they’ve had a delivery!

This shop in Penton Street was open and I think it’s fair to say that they’ve just had a delivery! Good luck with carrying in and storing that little lot!

Blossoms at the reservoir

We entered Amwell Street but turned into Claremont Square, passing the reservoir, where we spotted these blossoms glowing pink against the darker grass. More indications of spring.

Magpie in a tree

This magpie was being very active in a tree. I couldn’t quite see what he was doing but, from watching other birds along the way, I suspect he was eating berries.

Parakeets
Video by Tigger

Back in Amwell Street, we spotted two parakeets in a tree. They had found a crop of berries and were making the most of the opportunity. Tigger made a video of them as we passed under their tree.

Parakeet
Photo by Tigger

Later, Tigger obtained this closer view of a parakeet (they don’t like you coming too close) and you can see the pretty green plumage.

Snowy white blossom

In Lloyd Square, we were impressed by the snowy white blossom of this tree.

There were more!

Then we turned the corner and there were more!

Like little bells

Nearer the ground, these plants were boasting new growth like little bells.

I needed to pick up something from the doctor’s surgery and while I was doing that, Tigger looked around and found more pretty things to show you.

Flowers by Tigger

Cats by Tigger!

Yes, well, we like cats too!

Having visited the surgery, I rejoined Tigger and we made way to Myddelton’s deli. While Tigger ordered the coffee, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription and then joined her in the deli. We then started for home.

At the site of the second water leak (see yesterday’s post), we discovered someone’s archaeological trophies laid out on top of a bollard.

Archaeological trophies

Someone had carefully sifted through the pile of earth excavated to reach the leak and had found pieces of old crockery and other items that must have lain buried since the road was built. Then, having collected and displayed them, they went away and left them there!

Still leaking

On the way home, we passed the supposedly repaired leak which, as you can see, is still leaking, much as it did before. The Thames Water van that I mentioned yesterday, was parked in the same place, more or less beside the leak. We concluded that it must be a van whose driver lives in the neighbourhood and uses the square as a car park. Its presence beside the water leak is thus a coincidence.

And to finish, here are a couple more flower pictures from Tigger.

Flowers by Tigger