The weather was pretty abominable this morning and it was pelting with rain but we had a chore to do that we could put off no longer: to take the laundry to the local launderette. To make things worse, my shoes, my only pair, have sprung a leak. Yes, both shoes. Notwithstanding, we set out bravely with the loaded trolley.

Puddles everywhere

The gutters were running like rivers and every slight hollow in the road or pavement had become a pond.

A mournful Claremont Square

The sky was cloudy and the light dull, making for a mournful scene. We had a job to do, though, and pressed on.

Water, water, everywhere

There was water running along roads and running across roads.

Massive puddles collected

Large puddles collected, which would no doubt be used later by the pigeons for bathing. For now, the wildlife, and sensible humans, were taking shelter.

Running across the road

We delivered the laundry and crossed the road to Myddelton’s deli to buy coffee. There was no question of sitting outside today, so, coffee in hand, we hurried home, stopping only to photograph the water running across Inglebert Street.

Around midday, we thought about going out again because Tigger needed to buy socks. We put on our coats and hats and stepped outside. The rain was so heavy that we stepped right back inside again! We decided to have lunch in the hope that the conditions would be more amenable later.

Barely better

We tried again after lunch and found the conditions were barely improved. However, Tigger needed her socks and we would be dry both on the bus and in the shops so we set out.

Aboard the number 30 bus

We caught a number 30 bus which, we hoped, would deliver us more or less to the shops that Tigger wished to visit. If I sound slightly uncertain it is because there have been a lot of bus route changes lately and not always well publicised. Add to that temporary changes and bus stop closures owing to road works, and our uncertainty is understandable.

We left the bus here

We left the bus near Portman Square, quite a posh area of London.

Menswear dept, Marks & Spencer

We went into the nearby branch of Marks & Spencer and took the escalator to the menswear department. This is because Tigger prefers men’s socks to the female variety. She found what she wanted so the expedition was a success.

Down the escalator
Photo by Tigger

We went down the escalator and had a look around though there was nothing else that we wanted.

For eggs, apparently

Among the objects on display was a set of creations in wire. This one is apparently for holding eggs – not sure whether cooked or raw.

Ladies’ fashions

In the way out we passed through the ladies’ fashions department and Tigger amused me by pointing to displays and specifying the period they came from, according to her: “1950s… 1970s… 1990s…” Don’t M&S sell modern clothes at all? 🙂

Oxford Street

We exited into Oxford Street, London’s famous, and therefore busy, shopping street. Any store with pretensions of being important has to have a branch here. As you might imagine, it is not one of my favourite places.

Selfridge’s

We passed in front of Selfridge’s but, happily, did not go in. Perhaps you have seen the TV series about the American Harry Gordon Selfridge who founded the store in 1908 and became rich and famous but died in relatively straightened circumstances in 1947. A lesson of some kind, no doubt.

Gee’s Court

We went into this curious area, called Gee’s Court, in search of coffee. There were several places but we chose the Euphorium Bakery as there were few customers in there.

Inside Euphorium

We sat at a table to drink our coffee, just like in the “old days” (i.e. before Covid).

Sunshine!

While we were sitting there, the sun suddenly put in an appearance and as it was such a rare occurrence, I thought I had better take a photo! I didn’t expect it would last.

Still shining

But, actually, it did and was still shining when we left the cafe, so I took another photo just in case I wasn’t believed!

Walking in Oxford Street

We continued walking along Oxford Street but now looking for a stop where we could catch a bus home.

Today’s pigeon picture

Along the way, we spied a gathering of “my friends”, as Tigger calls them, pigeons, in other words. So I stopped to take a photo.

Aboard a number 73

It wasn’t long before we found a stop where we could board a number 73 bus. It carried us safely back to the Angel, concluding our outings for today.