This week, Tigger is at work Wednesday to Friday, leaving me to amuse myself as best I can. Yesterday (Wednesday) it was raining, which dissuaded me from going out. Today’s weather was hardly more promising but I was determined to go for a walk even if only locally. There was, however, a problem.

Dull and damp at the Angel

For some time now, the cold water tap in the kitchen area has suffered a reduced flow but I kept putting off doing anything about it as long as it was usable. Yesterday evening, the flow reduced to a mere trickle, requiring us to being all cold water from the bathroom in jugs. So this morning I called the Council’s repairs division and requested help.

They decided that an interrupted cold water supply belonged in the Urgent category and agreed to send a plumber today. They could not say when he would arrive but took my phone number saying he would call to let me know he was on his way. This meant I would have to wait in for him, however long that might be. In the event, however, he arrived around midday (without calling first). I showed him the corpus delicti and retired to a safe distance to watch the proceedings.

The job was soon done, leaving me free to have lunch and go for my walk. In view of the miserable conditions, I stayed close to home. Tigger is on holiday next week, so perhaps we can take some more adventurous walks then.

Butcher’s shop, “Late Bland”

Though a vegetarian, I am fascinated by this butcher’s shop on the corner of St John Street and Chadwell Street. As far as I know, it is not listed, but it remains as it was long ago. Beneath the windows, in the tiling (hidden by the benches), are the words “Late Bland”, indicating that the shop once belonged to a Mr or Messrs Bland who had such a good reputation that those who took over the shop after them preserved their name as an advertisement of quality. I have no knowledge of the Blands or their business and their name remains as a touching memorial to them.

Now the Gate, once the Clown

This striking building opposite Bland’s is now called The Gate and the ground floor is occupied by a restaurant. It probably dates to the 18th century or earlier when it was a tavern. No less a personnage than actor and comedian Joseph Grimaldi frequented it when it was known as the King of Prussia. Subsequently, it was renamed The Clown in Grimaldi’s honour. I don’t know when it ceased being a pub.

Rosebery Avenue

I ventured into Rosebery Avenue and walked a little way down before returning and taking this photo.

Arlington Way

I turned into Arlington Way and then…

The pub vine – doing nicely

…into Myddelton Passage, where I checked the progress of the pub vine. It’s coming along nicely.

A well-kept hedge

I admired this hedge that has been looked after and kept trim almost as well as the hedge I photographed in Kentish Town.

Gate open again

Throughout the pandemic until now, this gate has been chained shut but today was open again at last.

New River Head viewing platform

It gives access to a viewing platform overlooking the New River Head, that is, the terminus of Sir Hugh Myddelton’s famous aqueduct. There are panels of information indicating the principal buildings on the site though in fact, the vegetation and more recent buildings all but obstruct the view as these three photos show:

Views from the platform

The dull conditions also make the view dark and uninspiring.

Window boxes provided colour

These window boxes did their best to add a touch of colour to the scene.

Myddelton Square Garden

I peered over the railings into Myddelton Square Garden. One or two hardy souls were sitting on benches but otherwise it was deserted apart from the ever-present pigeons.

New foliage on the Curvaceous Tree

I spent some minutes looking up into the Curvaceous Tree, studying the new foliage. That was my last photo of the walk and I then hurried home to make tea and await messages from Tigger: she is on her way home!