The tiny beetle whom I call “the small visitor” (see yesterday’s post) returned this evening and remained on my computer screen long enough for me to take some photos, of which here is one:

The small visitor

The photo was taken with my iPhone 8 and cropped in order to “enlarge” it. There is naturally some loss of detail. Remember, too, that this small creature is about 2 millimetres long. Just imagine how thin the kegs are and yet they are perfectly articulated, allowing the beetle to walk without slipping on the smooth surface of the screen and even when upside down under the computer.

It also has wings enabling it to fly and can fold the wings away under the wing-cases. A true marvel.

Why does it visit my computer? I have no idea but something seems to draw it there. Nor do I have any idea where it comes from or where it goes between visits.

I say “it”, as though it is always the same but, for all I know, there may be many of them and each visitor may be a different individual. For now, though, I will assume it is always the same one and refer to it as “the small visitor”.

My walk today did not work out as planned but, rather than waste time on that, I will show you a few of the photos I took along the way.

White Lion, 1898

At the bottom end of White Lion Street (that joins the High Street), there are two plaques representing the eponymous White Lion. They are not vestiges of the original tavern, however, as the included date of 1898 testifies. That was the date when this building was erected.

Junction of Liverpool Road and the High Street

This is the busy junction where Islington High Street meets Liverpool Road (coming in from the left). The High Street actually veer off to the right to become a quiet side street but the roadway continues uninterrupted as Upper Street.

People may wonder why, if there is an Upper Street, there is no Lower Street. In Elizabethan times there was indeed a Lower Street, and the two, Upper and Lower, formed boundaries to the then village of Islington. Lower Street was later obscured, partly by the present Essex Road. There is some indication that its nether end may be what is now known as the High Street.

Sunny interval in Upper Street

The morning had been sunny but in the afternoon, the sun gave way to clouds. There was one sunny interval and I grabbed a photo to record it!

Islington Green

I decided to walk across Islington Green, which provides a welcome green oasis between busy main roads. Despite the name, this patch was never the village green though it is the remainder of a much larger piece if common land where local inhabitants could graze their cattle. There is a rumour that a plague pit lies beneath the green but I am uncertain of the truth of this.

Bellanger, cafe and brasserie

I stopped to take a look at Bellanger’s, a French cuisine restaurant and one of our favourites for special occasions. At one point it looked as though the pandemic had killed it off but then came the good news that it is after all reopening. They were installing machines, possibly heaters, because when restaurants open again on April 12th, they will be permitted to serve customers outside only.

Waterstones Bookshop

I couldn’t see any lights or movement inside the neighbouring Waterstone’s, but I imagine they too are preparing for the great day of reopening.

Essex Road

My route took me along Essex Road, a road I would describe as useful rather than pleasant to walk in.

The Queen’s Head

Reaching the Queen’s Head pub (which I have photographed in a previous occasion, I know), I turned left into Gaskin Street.

Gaskin Street

A rather ordinary street, neither particularly pretty nor interesting, Gaskin Street once held a chapel which caused it to be called Church Street. It was renamed in 1937 after the Revd George Gaskin, D.D. (1797-1829) who was attached in some capacity to the nearby Church of St Mary.

Rothery Street

Leading off Gaskin Street is another nondescript street, this one called Rothery Street. Apparently, it is named after lawyer William Rothery (1775-1864). What is curious about that is that Rothery is listed as being an Admiralty referee on matters connected with the slave trade. I wonder how long before this connection is discovered and the street renamed.

St Mary’s Path

The foregoing street leads us to the picturesque St Mary’s Path that runs beside the once burial ground, now gardens, of St Mary’s Church.

St Mary’s Church

From here we have a semi-veiled view of the church or, at least, we do until the leaves return to the trees and veil the view completely.

St Mary’s Garden

I walked through the garden which was fairly crowded with both adults and children, in spite of the cloudy sky.

St Mary’s from the garden

I took this photo in the garden. Because there were so many people, discretion was necessary. The street photographer’s mantra is: Be quick, don’t make eye contact, move swiftly on!

It was my last photo and after taking it I returned home to await news from Tigger, on her way home from work.