You may have noticed that Tigger has been on holiday recently, which has enabled us to explore areas beyond our immediate vicinity. I has been a very enjoyable time but the holiday has ended and today, Tigger has has to go in to the office and will do so again tomorrow.

This being so, I had to make do with my own company on my walk today. The forecast was promising rain but in the event, apart from the briefest of showers, the weather was dry and and there was even sunshine from time to time.

The Angel crossroads

I passed through the Angel crossroads which was quite busy, as you can see, with both vehicle traffic and pedestrians.

An elegant shop sign

Walking down St John Street, I passed this shop advertising “Designer clothing since 1993” and called Dress for Less London. I have passed it many times but today i noticed the elegant shop sign showing a lady in a full-length dress. In medieval times, shop signs were the rule but today they are a rarity though pubs still maintain the tradition. I don’t suppose that possessing a sign necessarily makes the business any better than the competition but I like to see them.

Rosebury Avenue and Sadler’s Wells Theatre

I turned down Rosebury Avenue (named after the Earl of Rosebery, 1847-1929), where we find the famous, though currently inactive, Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

A door with an intriguing notice

I noticed this intriguing notice on a door and wondered to whom it is directed. Here is an expanded version:

Is this an invitation?

I wondered whether it was an invitation to passers-by but assumed not.

Entering Spa Green

I crossed the road and entered Spa Green by the top gate. This is a small park but very pleasant.

A a magnificent old tree

In an open space stands this magnificent tree. It’s not clear from the photo how huge it is. I stood for quite a while observing it, imagining I was a squirrel and tracing all the routes up the tree to the too. I don’t know whether there is a resident squirrel or not. I couldn’t see a drey but there might be one hidden away in the upper branches.

Paved area with central tree

Further down, there is a paved area with its own central tree. It had benches but also another, less common, piece of furniture.

Fancy a game?

It consists of a table and two seats, all fixed in place, with a chess board inscribed on the table top. I have yet to see anyone playing chess here but perhaps it will happen one day.

Are there chess pieces here?

The notice on the side seems to indicate that there are chess pieces available but if so, I don’t know how you access them.

Finsbury War Memorial

Spa Green is home to the Finsbury War Memorial (Finsbury was an old borough that was absorbed into the Borough if Islington). It’s quite a handsome piece of work and serves the secondary purpose of providing a safe perch for the garden’s pigeon population.

Leaning trees

I returned up Rosebery Avenue and suddenly noticed this row of trees: they are all leaning, slightly by definitely, in the same direction. Since I became aware of my first leaning tree, I have been seeing them everywhere. Is this a London phenomenon or do most trees lean one way or another? I shall keeping observing them to find out!

Today’s give-away offer

It’s a rare day that I don’t find apparently serviceable items left out in the street, seemingly for anyone to take. Today it is a pair of table or beside lamps. They have been placed here, far away from any houses so are obviously dumped. No doubt someone will find a use for them.

Myddelton Passage

I went up Arlington Way and then into Myddelton Passage beside the Shakespeare’s Head pub. This was not by chance: I had intended to come here. Perhaps you can guess what I was looking for.

The pub vine – leaves at last!

You perhaps remember that I kept scrutinising the vine on the wall of the pub garden to see whether it produced any new leaves. It had been completely bare and I had begun to wonder whether it was dead. Today, I found it covered with bright green new leaves. Am I silly to feel relieved? Silly or not, I am pleased to see the new leaves and look forward to it producing its crop of tiny grapes in due season.

Myddelton Square

From the Passage, I crossed the lovely Myddelton Square with its church and central garden. (I didn’t see Electra, in case you are wondering 🙂 ) I entered the garden a strolled round it.

Squirrel eating

In the garden I met a squirrel who was not in the least fazed by my presence. Nor was he hoping for anything from me as he had found something to eat.

A quick performance

Afterwards, he put on a quick performance so as not to disappoint his audience.

A last look

I took a last look at the garden and left by the north gate. However, I did pay a quick visit to an old friend.

The Curvaceous Tree

My last photo was of my familiar Curvaceous Tree, gradually dressing itself in new green leaves to celebrate spring and approaching summer.

As for me, I am heading for home to make tea and look forward to Tigger returning from work.