As the title indicates, conditions today are not ideal for outdoor activities. The sky is cloudy, it has rained and is threatening to do so again. To start with then, we went on a short outing to fetch coffee. We may decide to venture out again later.

Miniature pansies

The conditions being what they were, I photographed these colourful flowers in a window box, hoping their bright colours would add cheer to the situation.

Electra speeds by

If the flowers started to cheer me up, a familiar sight in the square helped further. Yes, we were in time to see “Electra” (as we now call her) go speeding past on her laps round the church. With her bright red top and blond hair streaming in the wind, she is a sight to behold. She doesn’t just trundle round but puts real effort into pushing those pedals.

Flowers on the doorstep

Several houses in the square have these pretty little white flowers growing up each side of the steps to the front door. They died back somewhat during the winter but have started to grow and flower again. Some householders have removed them but I enjoy seeing them where they still grow.

Grey clouds, green trees

I liked the contrast between the new spring-green foliage and the brooding grey of the clouds.

Foliage gradually hiding the church

In this view of Myddelton Square Gardens, the church is still visible, like someone peering between the heads in a crowd in order to be visible in the photo. As the trees put on their summer costumes, the church finds it harder to remain visible.

The same number as the year

We stopped to look at the view through these open doors that are usually closed when we go past. It’s no doubt the old carriage entrance. What caught my attention, though, was the number, written in words. The entrance serves numbers 20 and 21 but they have written it as a single numeral, twentytwentyone, which just happens to be the number of the current year. Was that done on purpose?

Glowing with colour

At one house, there were three window boxes, all very beautiful and I selected one as a sample. The flowers seemed to glow despite the dull light. If I needed further encouragement to be cheerful, this window box provided it.

Shortly, we reached Myddelton’s, collected our coffee and made for home, where I am writing this. However, Tigger has just proposed a plan for a second outing. I will add it to this preliminary account in due course.

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Down a busy Pentonville Road

Following Tigger’s plan, we set off down a busy Pentonville Road in the direction of King’s Cross. In addition to this morning’s dull, cloudy sky, there was now a gusty wind that caused me to attach my hat-lock, just in case.

St Mary of Zion

At the bottom end of the road we passed by this church. Called St Mary of Zion, it is currently an Ethiopian Orthodox church.

The Lighthouse and tower of St Pancras Station

Near the two stations, King’s Cross and St Pancras, is a nightclub cum music venue. Years ago, the then owners built a folly, in the shape of a lighthouse, on the roof. Time passed and the lighthouse became an accepted part of the scenery, so much so, that when the block was rebuilt recently, the developers were required to preserve the lighthouse in its original style and position.

The Great Northern Hotel

People often wonder why there are two mainline railway stations on opposite sides of a not very wide road. They were built, at the beginning of railway history, by rival railway companies competing for the lucrative London trade. These days, they each serve their own catalogue of routes and cooperate rather than compete with one another. The Great Northern Hotel was built to cater tor customers from King’s Cross but these days serves a wider clientele.

Where’s Tweetie Pie?

This giant bird cage stands near King’s Cross Station. It lights up at night and has contained a number of transient amusements but is currently empty. When first it was installed, it included a swing whose supports are still visible – I know, because I had a swing on it!

A bit too crowded for my tastes

With the cessation goods traffic on the railway, the hinterland of King’s Cross Station, previously given over the warehouses, has been redeveloped and now contains a mixture of residential and office accommodation and entertainment venues. Thither we went though it was a little too crowded for my tastes.

Notes coffee bar

Tigger’s plan was for us to go to Notes for coffee and cake. We had been here previously and knew we had to sit outside but as there was an awning, that was acceptable.

Menu with QR order code

On each table is a card with a QR code. Click on this code with your smart phone and it produces a menu from which you can order your items and pay for them electronically. The QR code includes your table number so that a waiter can deliver your order to you.

The cake arrives

We ordered carrot cake and coffee. The cake arrived first, wrapped in a plastic and paper envelope.

Traditional cups

The coffee arrived soon after, served in traditional cups, fortunately.

I couldn’t help reflecting how different this mode of service is from pre-Covid norms. We barely exchanged words with a human being (just “Thank you”, in fact) and no one touched anything resembling money or, for that matter, a payment machine. One thing that Covid has done is to speed the adoption of electronic ordering and payment systems and I can only suppose that these will continue in use when things return to whatever simulacrum of “normality” replaces pandemic regulations.

King’s Cross Departures

On our way back we crossed through the Departures hall of King’s Cross Station. As there were relatively few people about, it was a good occasion for taking photos of the revolutionary design which supports a roof over a large area but without any pillars acting as obstacles to movement. It also possesses a certain beauty, enhanced at times by coloured lights.

The main “tree”

We went onto the upper level from where there is a good view of the tree-like support structure.

Tower of St Pancras Station

We crossed the open courtyard in front of King’s Cross Station. From here you have a good view of the tower of the beautiful St Pancras Station. Yes, I photographed it the other day, and many times before that, but it’s always worth photographing. Well, that’s my opinion, anyway!

Aboard a number 30 bus

As we had been good (subjective opinion, I know!) we decided we could take the bus up the hill and so caught a number 30 which delivered us close to home.

Now we have supper and a pleasant evening to look forward to and, no doubt, other outings tomorrow.