We passed the morning in leisurely fashion. That’s fair, after all, as Tigger has spent the last three days at work and deserves her rest. (I know I haven’t been working but I don’t mind helping Tigger rest!). It was a cloudy day with intervals of sun and rain and it felt cold, much colder than the official temperature suggested.

A sunny interval

After lunch, we set out for our usual walk and I took the above photo to make sure I did catch at least one sunny interval.

“Where do you want to go?” asked Tigger, a question that always casts me into confusion as I can never decide. Somehow, a route was decided.

Sunshine but an ominous sky

We were then subjected to a spattering of rain which stopped but left an ominous sky.

A pretty doorway

This house has been covered in scaffolding for months but we both stopped and admired the doorway. Perhaps the sunshine and its plants made it look particularly welcoming today.

Job done!

Do you recognise this piece of road? It’s the site of the second of two water leaks whose progress I have been following in recent posts. After doing nothing for two days, they have suddenly swooped in and repaired it while I wasn’t looking! They’ve made a remarkably good job of restoring the road surface, too.

The demon cyclist of Myddelton Square

If we come here at the right time, we see this lady on her bicycle riding round and round Myddelton Square. She always goes the same way round and always wears the same bright red top. Don’t step off the pavement without looking, because she travels at speed! I don’t know how many laps she does but she was continually circling all the time it took us to dawdle our way round the square.

Curvaceous Tree and Friends

I photographed this row of trees in Myddelton Square Garden, with my Curvaceous Tree on the right, because, as I previously recounted, winter, in stripping away the leaves, has taught me to admire the beauty of the trees’ forms, all different though following a pattern if you can but decipher it. When spring finally comes, I shall learn to love and admire them all over again in their new green robes.

Watch out! Here she comes again!

Just as well I went back onto the pavement when I did!

Upstairs, downstairs window boxes

I haven’t checked on window boxes lately but I noticed that these two have been rearranged, perhaps with a better selection of flowers for the coming season. Upper and lower are still following (more or less) the same pattern.

Parakeet

We crossed over to the square’s central garden though we didn’t go in today. There was a lot of activity among our feathered friends and the parakeets were vociferous, as is their wont. This one stayed still long enough for me to photograph his characteristic silhouette. I have come to be quite fond of these active, noisy but seemingly sociable birds. They have made themselves quite at home in the UK.

Pigeon feeding mêlée

Someone was putting out food for the pigeons and there was a feeding frenzy in consequence.

As often happens with pigeons, something spooked one or more of them and their fright was immediately communicated to the whole flock which took off and sped for refuge into the trees. I wasn’t quick enough to catch this impressive flock movement so had to content myself with watching them return, which they did, almost immediately, their fright forgotten.

Fright over

As we continued round the square suddenly, we noticed a movement in the trees near the road. We were being spied on by a squirrel!

Got anything for me?

He came and hung upside down looking at us, obviously hoping we had food for him. Squirrels in these local parks and gardens can be quite bold but this was unusually close.

Interloper

Just for a moment, it seemed that a second squirrel wanted to muscle in on the action. Note the defensive movement of “our” squirrel.

Close-up

Because he was so intent and hopeful, the squirrel allowed me to come quite close and take this photo. Quite a splendid fellow.

Departing, no doubt disappointed in us

When we moved away, the squirrel followed us to the next tree, still hoping for a hand-out, perhaps. Then he made off, probably disappointed.

Tigger has a new phone with an updated camera. Her photos quite outshine mine. She also photographed the squirrel and sent me this photo:

Squirrel by Tigger

This squirrel, as you can see, already had something to eat but still came to prospect in case we had something to contribute.

By now, we were noticing that it was a bit chilly and that it was threatening rain, so we now made for Myddelton’s deli, bought our coffee and made for home.

We shall visit the squirrels again another day but, in the meantime, I have no fears that they will starve!

Although the pills prescribed by the kindly doctor seem to have had some effect, I was still feeling a little “bleurgh” after lunch and without Tigger to inspire me, wondered whether to bother going out at all. However, the sun was shining and it seemed a sin not to make the most of it.

After intense discussion with myself, a coffee at Mercer’s was suggested as a reward for taking a stroll. OK, then, deal!

I’m not going to bore today you with stories of water leaks today but I couldn’t pass over this scene without comment.

All of a heap

Somebody has knocked over the carefully placed barriers and left them all of a heap on the workings. Why? Why interfere in this cavalier way with barriers that, after all, are there to prevent accidents? What’s wrong with people?

Contrejour in Claremont Square
(Not what I intended)

It had rained earlier and the pavements were in places still shining wet. I wanted my photo to show the effect but, for whatever reason, it didn’t work. (Don’t say I never show you my mistakes and failures!)

Safestore, Pentonville Road

I crossed over Pentonville Road at the junction near the reservoir. On the spur of the moment, I took a quick (and bad) photo of Safestore. Why? Well, because when I first came to join Tigger in Islington, I had far more property than could fit into this tiny flat. So, while Tigger rearranged things to make some room for me, I put my stuff in store here. Every time I needed something that had been packed away, I would come here, find my locker and rummage about until I found whatever it was. Seeing the place always reminds me of those early days with a mixture of nostalgia and amusement.

The Chapel Bar

In Penton Street, the Chapel Bar was looking cheerful in the sunshine though I expect the owners feel anything but cheerful after the long enforced closure. They will no doubt be hoping fervently that the government’s plan for the reopening of businesses will be adhered to.

Dead or only sleeping?

This establishment in White Lion Street seems to be in suspended animation. What is its fate to be?

“People live upstairs”

I can’t imagine why anyone would want to break into a dead pub though I suppose they might do so on the off-chance of finding something worth stealing. Notices have been posted on the doors to warn would-be burglars that “People Live Upstairs”. I hope that is a sufficient deterrent.

Day and Night

I entered Chapel Market on whose corner stands this pub, rebadged as Day and Night. The newspapers covering the windows suggest that refurbishment work is still in progress. This pub also had notices, this time on the windows. They read “Bar Staff Wanted” – a hopeful sign, perhaps.

Sinister Bride

Most of the shops in Chapel Market were closed, of course, including this one that sells wedding gowns. This dummy wearing a mask looked rather sinister and seemed to be giving me a hard stare. I hurried on!

Happy pigeons

I came across this band of happy pigeons scoffing food left on the ground and had to photograph such a cheerful scene. Unfortunately, the sound does not carry over or you would hear just how happy they were!

Plants and flowers

When I reached Mercer’s, the plants and flowers stall was open and doing business. This has been one of the most frequently present stalls during the pandemic. They have often been the only stall present except perhaps for a couple that are run by fruit and vegetable shops in the street. I hope it has been worth their while.

I duly bought my coffee from Mercer’s and hot-footed home to drink it. If tomorrow is also a sunny day and I feel less “bleurgh”, perhaps I’ll fancy taking a longer walk. We shall see.

Tigger went into the office for the first day of this week’s three-day stint. A glance through the window showed a rather miserable weather scenario, not conducive to solo rambles.

In addition, my ongoing ailment made me feel less than merry, so much so that I decided to call the surgery and speak to the doctor whom I have already consulted. She was very sympathetic and, better still, reassuring. In addition, she promised to send a prescription to the pharmacy for me to collect. Who says NHS personnel don’t deserve a good payrise?

After lunch, then (having first phoned the pharmacy to make sure the prescription had arrived and been dispensed), I set out into the aforementioned miserable weather – the above photo will give you an idea of it. Happily, it was not actually raining during my outing though the wind made it feel colder than the thermometer suggested and threatened to make off with my hat a couple of times.

Back to the beginning

I expect you are tired of stories of water leaks but I couldn’t forebear commenting on the unfolding story. Leak number 1 is once again enclosed in a barrier. Closer inspection reveals why.

Opened up again

Whatever they were trying to do when I photographed them yesterday obviously didn’t work and they have had to open up the trench again. At least the flow has been stopped.

Extending their territory

Down the hill at leak number 2, there was no work in progress but they have extended their territory quite a bit. My guess is that this is the make sure there is a big enough area free of parked cars for the big lorries that they have been using.

The hole is dry

Here, too, the hole is dry, suggesting that they have at least stopped the leak. But for how long?

More woe for motorists

In Inglebert Street, I found more woe for motorists, at least for those who park their cars here. Parts of the parking lane on both sides of the road have been cordoned off in advance of “Essential Tree Works”, as the bright yellow notice explains.

Essential Tree Works

I like the way that, in the text, an attempt has been made to print the words “red” and “white” in the colours they express except that, because of the background colour, “white” is actually yellow! But let’s not be picky. They tried.

A bird feeder

I’m not sure whether I showed you this before or not. Someone has installed a bird feeder in this street tree. I have never seen any birds feeding from it and I don’t think there is actually any food in it. A good idea but poor follow-through!

Prospecting pigeon

On the way home from the pharmacy, I was grumbling to myself about the cold, damp conditions and then I met a pigeon prospecting for food and I reflected that I was at least going back to a comfortable home whereas the pigeons and other wild life are out in all weathers all the time. No cosy bed at night, not cups of hot tea during the day, and always on the hunt for food. As I thought this, the pigeon took flight, no doubt hoping to find better pastures elsewhere.

Myddelton Square Gardens

I took a photo of Myddelton Square Gardens. It seemed deserted and even the resident pigeons were nowhere to be seen. Still, I am sure there will be sunnier days to come when we can bring our coffee here and watch the various denizens at work and play. Knowing the UK, we could be basking in tropical sunshine tomorrow. Anything is possible.

Children’s playground

For once, I was able to take a photo of the children’s playground in Myddelton Square Gardens. Almost always there are at least a few children and their parents here and parents are apt to take a dim view of solitary gentlemen taking photos of their children. Today it was deserted and I obtained my photo.

To end with a splash of vivid colour, I took a photo of an old friend who, from being a novelty, has become part of the neighbourhood. We would miss him if he disappeared.

Wild Kong

The sun returned today and it was pleasantly warm. We took a leisurely stroll through familiar territory and decided it was warm enough to take our coffee in the open air.

Claremont Square

This was the scene in Claremont Square (looking back for a change) when we set out.

Leak number 2, work in progress

This was the scene at water leak number 2 today. There were four workmen on site but the the usual conventions were in force: one man was down in the hole (much enlarged) doing the work while three remained above, presumably contributing moral support.

The Curvaceous Tree

We walked round Myddelton Square where I photographed my favourite, the Curvaceous Tree, looking cheerful in the sunshine, perhaps dreaming of a new summer suit of green leaves.

Myddelton Square Garden
Photo by Tigger

The gardens also looked inviting and there were people taking their ease there, but we continued on round the square, heading for the deli.

Fine old tree

I did stop to admire this fine old tree, reaching up to the clear, blue sky above.

Firey plant

We also liked this shrub which seemed to be on fire with its red flowers bright against the green leaves.

Amwell Street

Amwell Street was half in shadow and half in sunlight as it typically is at this time of year. It was doing its impression of a sleepy village street, which, in some ways, is what it is, despite being in a city. We bought our coffee at Myddelton’s deli and headed downhill towards Percy Circus.

Panorama in Percy Circus

We found a bench in the sun in Percy Circus and there drank our coffee. We both like this little circular garden in the middle of a round “square” and feel at ease here.

A squirrel visits

A squirrel came darting across the road into the garden, bravely coming near us. Then he scurried up the tree and along a branch to where he found something to eat. What it was I do not know.

Entrance to Bevin Court

For the return journey we started back through Bevin Court, the reverse of the way we usually go.

Flowers in the wind
Video by Tigger

Tigger videoed these flowers dancing in the wind and…

Daffodils

…I photographed some daffodils.

Cruikshank Street

We walked uphill along Cruikshank Street where over the Christmas period we had photographed wreaths and other decorations. The houses are of a different pattern each side of the street: on the left, Classical with Greek pediments over the doors and, on the right, more informal with clamshell designs over the doors.

On the way down, we had looked at leak number 1 and found it was still flowing merrily. On the way back, we saw this:

Repairing it again

Yes, they are having another go at mending it. I don’t think it was our imagination that the two men did not like being photographed and instinctively turned their faces away from the camera. Perhaps they were embarrassed by the fact that it had started leaking again only a few days after they had supposedly fixed it. We await with interest the outcome of their efforts.

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!