As we had been out this morning and had enjoyed a longish ramble in Kentish Town, this afternoon we contented ourselves with a short walk to the deli and back. There were large, slow moving clouds leading to warm, sunny moments and cloudy cooler moments.

Myddelton Square, north side

We went round Myddelton Square, peaceful in the sunshine.

Sunshine in the trees

In the central garden, the trees were full of sunshine, a beautiful sight.

Doorstep flowers
Photo by Tigger

What I call the doorstep flowers (not knowing their proper name) had grown even thicker since I last photographed them.

Electra pedals by
Photo by Tigger

Electra was out, circling the church on her bicycle and Tigger snatched a quick shot of her.

The church in the trees

The church is gradually disappearing behind its screen of trees.

Street lamp and clouds

We decided it was warm enough to drink our coffee at a table outside the deli. From my chair I photographed the cloudy sky silhouetting a street lamp.

Designer fabrics

On the way home, I admired this selection of cheerful designer fabrics in the window of Timorous Beasties.

Strangely quiet

The George and Monkey pub was strangely quiet with no customers at any of the tables. I did notice that on each table was a card bearing a name and a time. That suggests that they may be operating a reservation-only service.

How different will things be from the coming Monday when the next layer of restrictions is removed? We shall be able to go inside pubs, cafes and restaurants. Will there be a huge rush of customers or will people adapt gradually to the new way of life? We shall soon find out!

Kentish Town

This morning we are back in Kentish Town as we have business here. Kentish Town is a lively district in the London Borough of Camden. Once rather run-down, it has in recent years improved its status to become a desirable district in which to live.

The name is thought to derive from Anglo-Saxon tun, “farm”, combined with a the family name Kentish, thus “farm of the Kentish family”. The name could indicate that the family originally came from Kent.

Kelly Street

This is Kelly Street and it is one of our favourites because a many of the houses have been painted in bright colours. Whether this was a project agreed jointly by the inhabitants or whether all the houses have a single owner with an eye for colour, I do not know but the result is cheering.

Well trained hedge

In Bartholomew Road, we admired this well – almost severely – trained hedge. I wonder how long it took to reach this stage of perfection?

The old polytechnic building

I mentioned yesterday that I used to work in Kentish Town, years ago, when the building shown above was formed part of a polytechnic. Nearby is another building that is closely connected with it in my memory.

The Abbey Tavern

I refer to the pub called the Abbey Tavern. I ate most of my workday lunches here, either on my own or with colleagues. In those days it was a very democratic place and the lunchtime crowd would include builders labourers in dirty clothes, smartly suited employees of the local branch of Dunn’s the hatters, students, lecturers and office workers. Many an animated discussion, not necessarily academic, has taken place here!

Blustons

I have written elsewhere about Blustons, a traditional ladies’ clothing store, a survival of an earlier age. I am happy to see that it is now Grade II listed and currently occupied by a charity shop.

Café Renoir
Photo by Tigger

We stopped for coffee at Café Renoir. We have visited this cafe often over the years and seen it change hands several times while remaining a pleasant place for coffee or a meal. Once restrictions are lifted, perhaps we will come here for a meal and sit inside. Today, of course, service was on the terrace only.

A black americano and a latte

Today, we just had coffee, our usual order of black coffee for me and latte for Tigger. No sugar for either of us.

Plenty of space

When we arrived, there was plenty of space. The sole customer already there soon departed, leaving us on our own. But…

Uncomfortably crowded

…it was not long because more people came and the terrace became uncomfortably crowded. Time to drink up and leave!

Walking up Caversham Road

Afterwards, we walked along Caversham Road because Tigger’s sharp eyes had spotted something interesting. Perhaps you can make it out in the distance.

Take a book, leave a book

Along the way, we discovered this community-oriented enterprise: it is a cupboard full of books, bearing a notice enjoining you to “Take a book, leave a book”. Quite a noble enterprise in its own way.

St Luke’s Church

This is what Tigger had spotted and we had come to see: a Victorian church (built 1867-9) but with later additions. We could not go inside, of course, but made do with the view from outside.

The church garden

Beside the church is a small (compared with the church) but pleasant garden.

Expensive mouldings

The houses in this area were obviously intended to be above average quality as can be deduced from their size and the elaborateness of the decoration, such as these detailed mouldings.

Chairs to go!

Today’s give-away is a set of dining chairs (surely there should be four?) but hurry as stocks are limited!

A mixture of cultures

I noticed this school building because it demonstrates something becoming ever more common: a mixture of cultures. In this case the cultures are ancient and modern, respectively: the roof features both an Edwardian bell tower and a modern solar panel.

Fruiterer, KentishTown Station

Soon, we reached The main road again at Kentish Town railway and tube station where we would catch a 214 bus back to the Angel. My last photo was of this market-style fruit stall beside the station. On display is a wide range of produce, making a handsome show in the sunshine.