In the throes of a late lunch, Tigger proposed a quick foray to Myddelton’s for coffee. We would have to hurry as they close on Sunday at 3pm and it was already nearly 2:30 and I was still only halfway through my sandwich.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, as the proverb has it. Somehow, I swallowed the remainder of my sandwich, put on my shoes and struggled into my coat. (I must remember to buy a larger size next time.) We hit the street at 2:45.

We might have gone for a walk or perhaps taken our coffee to Myddelton Square Gardens had the conditions warranted but the weather was really not suitable. It was cold and there were drops of rain floating in the air.

Trees on the reservoir

Straight there and straight back?” asked Tigger. Yes, it was the only sensible course.

Still leaking

I don’t know whether you can see the movement of the water in this live photo but there is a perceptible flow emanating from the metal cover.

Into Amwell Street

We progressed into Amwell Street which is probably familiar to you by now. It is a pleasantly quiet street, especially on a Sunday, but for some reason attracts a fair amount of through traffic. Have you noticed an important recent change in the traffic from the pedestrian’s point of view?

I am referring to the increasing numbers of electric vehicles, not only electrically powered cars and vans but electric bicycles and that modern plague, the electric stand-up scooter. For the hearing-impaired, these constitute a danger because we don’t hear them coming. Yes, of course you should look both ways before stepping off the pavement but sound – specifically the sound of an approaching vehicle – is also important because vehicles can suddenly come around the corner or suddenly move off from being parked. The faster the vehicle, the greater the danger it constitutes. Scooters, in particular, being small, are easy to miss visually but can move surprisingly fast.

Looking along Inglebert Street
Photo by Tigger

In this photo of a familiar scene, you can gain an impression of the weather conditions.

Dispensing our coffee

We reached Myddelton’s well before the 3pm closure, better than last time when we crept in just after they had supposedly closed!

Stereo speakers

Do you need stereo speakers? If so, there’s a pair going begging. There’s no guarantee but the price is right (free!).

Palms in the doorway
Photo by Tigger

Being non-religious, I am vague about such things as dates of Christian (and other) religious festivals. It was only when Tigger took this photo of the church doorway that it occurred to me that today must be Palm Sunday. Placing palms in the doorway is another example of how Covid-19 has caused a rethink of behaviour patterns, not only in religious observance but in all aspects of our lives. It begs the question of whether, after Covid-19 (assuming we do actually conquer it), our habits will return to what they were before or whether some changes will become permanent. Perhaps churches, for example, will continue broadcasting their services via Zoom, for the benefit of the housebound and of those who simply prefer to “go to church” at home.

As for us, coffee in hand, we made for home where we shall spend the rest of the day relaxing unless some sudden inspiration prompts us to sudden activity.