The weather forecast was not promising, showing rain throughout the day. However, the morning looked marginally better than the afternoon so we hurried to make the most of it.

Rain on the pavement, Claremont Square

As luck would have it, rain started falling as we stepped over the threshold. Nothing daunted, though, we continued on our way.

Stormy skyscape

The look of the sky was not promising but, as we did not expect there to be any improvement, we kept going.

On Myddelon’s terrace

We called first at Myddelon’s deli for coffee and consumed it on their terrace where the canopy offered some protection from the rain. There were also brief sunny intervals during one of which I took the above photo.

The Union Tavern – work in progress

We then set off for our next destination, zigzagging through the back streets. At the end of Lloyd Baker Street stands the Union Tavern, one of the few pubs to possess a clock. The pub is undergoing work and I shall be interested to see whether the clock will be restored to working order.

Crossing Rosebery Avenue

Some more zigzagging brought us to Rosebery Avenue which we crossed.

Staircase to Vine Hill

On the other side of the road is a stone staircase which is the beginning of a street called Vine Hill, which we entered.

Vine Street steps

Islington is quite a hilly borough with sloping streets or with neighbouring streets being at different levels. Steps like these are one way to deal with the problem.

Walking up Vine Hill

As its name suggests, Vine Hill is a sloping street. Having climbed down at its beginning, you climb up again along its length!

Clock House, Leather Lane

We reached Leather Lane which is actually quite a long street and began walking along it. A noteworthy inhabitant of the lane is a Grade II listed pub called the Clock House. Built in the mid-19th century, it is a member of the elite group of pubs possessing clocks.

Leather Lane Market

Leather Lane, which lies in the borough of Camden, possesses a market, founded in 1666. The market runs from Monday to Friday and so was functioning today. Most of the stalls seemed to be selling takeaway food and were protected from the weather by tents. Mixed in with these, were tents covering tables belonging to restaurants.

Formerly the Pewter Platter

Tigger spotted an old name plaque for this building, high up on the roof. Now given over to retail and a restaurant, it was originally built as a pub and was called the Pewter Platter. The original pub dates from the early 19th century though its present form dates from rebuilding in 1876.

Hatton Garden

A few more steps brought us to another famous street, Hatton Garden. It derives its name from the fact that it was built on land that in medieval times was occupied by the palace and gardens of the Bishops of Ely. Today, of course, it is known as London’s primary market for jewellery and precious metals. It is full of jewellers’ shops and workshops.

Ely Court and Ye Olde Mitre

Leading off Hatton Garden is a narrow passage called Ely Court wherein is found an old pub by the name of Ye Olde Mitre.

Ely Place

The passage leads into a rather exclusive street called Ely Place. This is no ordinary London street as is indicated by its entrance guarded by gates and a beadles’ lodge.

Entrance to Ely Place

As Wikipedia explains it, Ely Place “is privately managed by its own body of commissioners and beadles”.

St Ethelreda’s Catholic Church

Ely Place contains the Catholic Church of St Ethelreda, built in the 13th century. The door was open so we went inside for a look but as there was a mass in progress, we discreetly left.

Holborn Circus from Pret A Manger

We felt it was time for lunch and went to the Holborn Circus branch of Pret A Manger.

Pret A Manger

This branch of Pret has a covered terrace where we could dispatch our lunch outside but protected from the rain which ever and anon made itself felt.

Church of St Andrew Holborn

Nearby is the Church of St Andrew, founded in the 15th century but rebuilt by Wren in the 17th. Gutted by bombing in WWII, it was rebuilt in the 1850s. Today it is a Grade II listed building. We went to take a look.

The ornate gate

It has an ornate gate opening, curiously, onto steps which descend to the level of the church. We found the church open and empty.

Blue Coat Boy and Girl

Flanking the church door are figures of Blue Coat School pupils, a boy and a girl.

Interior, Church of St Andrew

The church is of galleried design but fairly plain. Most of the windows are plain glass, whether by design or because the original stained glass windows were destroyed by bombing, I do not know.

The pulpit

The pulpit is possibly the most ornate piece of furnishing in the church.

Leaving the church, we began our journey home. We started by going back more or less the way we had come except that in Rosebery Avenue we gave our tired legs a treat by taking the bus back to the Angel!

My final photo was of another pair of Blue Coat pupils, this time in Hatton Garden.

Blue Coat pupils, Hatton Garden

According to the weather forecast, the sky was covered with dark clouds, rain was falling and there was a thunder storm in progress. The view from the window showed the sun shining from a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. Who do you trust: the forecast or the view from the window? We plumped for the window view and set out.

If at first you don’t succeed…

In Claremont Square, we found that work on the water leak has started again.

The excavation

This is the third attempt to repair it, the third time that they have dug up the road. Will they succeed in putting it right this time? I’m sure the neighbours hope so.

Sunshine and blue sky in Claremont Square

Meanwhile, I was photographing the square to show how pleasantly sunny the weather was. I was beginning to chide myself for wearing my heavy coat.

Ominous dark cloud in the north

Then I turned and noticed the ominous dark cloud to the north. It had a leaden colour, presaging stormy weather. It was still far away, though, so nothing to worry about.

Sunlit window box

The sunshine was still bright and made this window box glow cheerfully with colour.

Sunshine in the trees

In Myddelton Square, too, the trees were bright with sunshine.

The dark clouds coming closer

A glance to north, however, showed that the dark clouds were coming on apace. But surely, nothing to worry about…

The dark clouds roll in

The made our way in leisurely fashion to Myddelton’s, still bathed in sunshine, and decided to take our coffee on the terrace. That was when the dark clouds came rolling in, the rain began to fall, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Fortunately, we were fairly protected under the shop’s canopy. We would have to stay here until the rain eased off – assuming that it would do so.

The rain began to fall

It began to rain – hard. Fortunately, there was virtually no wind to blow the rain in on us so we were sheltered under the canopy. On the other hand, as Tigger had a light coat on, we would be prisoners here until the rain eased off.

Caption

Fortunately, after a while it did ease off and so we made a dash for home. There was water running running in the gutters and rivers flowing across roads.

An eerie light shone on the church

The clouds thinned slightly, allowing an eerie light to shine on the church and the surroundings.

Reflected in a puddle
Photo by Tigger

There was still plenty of water about in rivers and in puddles, as in this photo of the reflected church by Tigger.

Blue sky appears in the north
Photo by Tigger

There were hopeful signs that the storm might be over as blue sky appeared in the north.

Water dripping from trees

The splashes in this puddle, although made by water dripping from trees, argued for caution.

Sunshine but an ominous sky

The sun was now shining again but there was still ominous cloud cover in the sky making for dramatic contrasts.

Threatening sky at the crossroads

We took a chance and walked down to the crossroads to take more photos of the dramatic sky in contrast with the sunshine.

The Angel clock tower with sunshine and storm clouds

We went as far as the clock tower then turned back to return home.

No storm clouds

In the direction of home, the sky was completely different: there were no storm clouds and it looked like a fine sunny day. You would not know it had rained at all. We reached home safely in the dry.

The storm was not really over, however. As I write this at home, I can hear thunder rumbling and the forecast is for more of the same to come. Then again, forecasts are often wrong, and things might yet turn out better than expected!

By the time we were ready to go out again, this morning’s sunshine had been replaced by clouds and a drizzle of rain. Bravely, we set out nonetheless.

An old friend

Though I had my Bluetooth button protected from the rain by keeping my hand in my coat pocket, it took me a moment or two to awake my photographic mood and by the time I did so, we were already at Myddelton Square. So I took a photo of the Curvaceous Tree, just to be going on with. The fresh green of the new leaves seems to make it glow.

Church screened by trees

As the trees of the square’s gardens become clothed in green, the church seems to fade from view. I an not anxious for winter to come to reveal it again though this must inevitably happen.

The cat in the basement
Photo by Tigger

In a basement bedroom, Tigger spotted this cat. This one is new to us, a bonus cat, you might say. He gave us a thoughtful stare but was otherwise unconcerned at our interest in him.

Cloudy skies over the square

Despite the rain, we walked round the square and headed to Amwell Street although we knew that we had missed Myddelton’s as they close early on Sundays.

Myddelton’s closed

Though it would have been nice to go in for a coffee, I don’t begrudge them their early closure on Sundays. They work hard, opening from 7am to 5pm on the other six days of the week.

The George and Monkey

The George and Monkey was open, of course, with a few customers huddled under the pull-down canopies. Next week will probably present an entirely different scenario, rain or no rain.

Rain puddle in Penton Street

As Myddelton’s was closed, we bravely decided to go to Mercer’s despite the rain. In Penton Street we came across this impressive puddle of rainwater. You can see the rain splashing on the surface.

Godson Street

We walked along this curious little street that runs from White Lion Street to the top end of Chapel Market. Called Godson Street, it was created in the 1880s when the existing buildings were demolished.

Where the Farmers’ Market was this morning

Here we are in Chapel Market where the Farmers’ Market was this morning. It had completely vanished – almost magically, it seems, not a trace left.

The pub tent

The pub’s tent was still in place with a bunch of determined customers sheltering beneath it, one of whom has had to unfurl his own umbrella for extra protection.

The Delhi Grill

By now, the Indian restaurant called the Delhi Grill had also erected a tent so that diners could dine al fresco but without getting wet. Well, not very wet, anyway.

No tent, just a big umbrella

The Millennium cafe has chosen a big umbrella rather than a tent, though I don’t know how effective it is.

A few more steps brought us to Mercer’s, where we bought our coffee. Then, with a last look at Chapel Market, now almost empty of stalls (I think the blue tent belongs to the Turkish restaurant), we made quickly for home. Tomorrow is another day and we shall see what it brings.

A last look at Chapel Market

For those of us who do not frequent churches, a weekly sacrifice to Mammon makes an acceptable alternative. Thus it was that we set out, around 11am, on our weekly pilgrimage to Sainsbury’s Temple of Retail.

Ominous clouds over Baron Street

We found that the sun was shining upon our endeavours though a populated herd of clouds was offering competition. In particular, we noticed this ominous dark cloud above Baron Street. What did it portend? Careful scrutiny suggested that it was moving away from us but who knows what might be following in its wake?

The Farmers’ Market in full swing

Chapel Market was, as usual on Sunday, closed to traffic, so that the Farmers’ Market, which operates in the top end of the street, can function safely. Many of the stalls have tent-like canopies, an idea that seems to have been taken up by other, more permanent, businesses.

The pub has a blue tent

One such is the pub on the corner, the Alma, which has been serving customers outside since being allowed to do so but hitherto offered no protection from inclement weather. Today, I saw that they have procured a tent-like canopy under which customers were gathered together like sheep under a tree. From Monday, will they keep on using the tent, dispose of it or store it away in case needed again?

A giant ladybird?
Photo by Tigger

In Sainsbury’s car park, this object was seen lurking on a wall. It looked rather like a giant ladybird but I am persuaded that it is a crash helmet, a child’s, to judge from the size. Perhaps it rolled unnoticed out of someone’s car while the groceries were being loaded.

Worshipers at the shrine

As we were a little later than usual, Sainsbury’s was noticeably busier than we are used to but, knowing what we wanted, we sped round the shelves with barely a delay.

A longer queue

The queues at the checkouts were noticeably longer too. At this branch, the tradition established during the pandemic, no doubt in order to facilitate social distancing, is to have one queue for two checkouts. This confuses some customers who, not understanding, try to go straight to what they think is an available checkout. They find their error corrected, sometimes in quite pungent language, by members of the queue. We witnessed one such incident in our queue today but happily, the remonstrance was fairly mild, helped by the apologetic retreat of the unintentional offender.

The Angel Wings
Photo by Tigger

As we left the store and I prepared to hurry ahead to Marcer’s, Tigger photographed the famous Angel Wings at the refurbished Angel Central, finally freed of scaffolding and builders’ screens.

The market

I hurried through the market but stopped, as usual, to take a quick photo. There were plenty of stalls in operation and customers to match. Will there be any difference next week when the new rules come into force? It’s hard to imagine it being any busier than today.

Mercer’s – chairs and tables outside

And so to Mercer’s to pick up our takeaway coffees. They already have some tables outside and from Monday will be able to serve customers sitting inside. As we come here often, we are greeted affably. After all, businesses and their customers exist in a symbiotic relationship in which each needs the other. The pleasanter we make our relationship, the better it is for everyone.

And so to home to put away the shopping, drink our coffee and have a little rest, followed by lunch. This afternoon? Well, we shall see!

We went out again after lunch and – guess what? – it didn’t rain! Not a drop. It was still cloudy and dull, though.

I took the aforementioned Bluetooth dongle with me, dangling alluringly from my wrist, and used it for all of my photos. I found that I could walk with my trigger hand at my side – no need to bring the dongle close to the phone.

The Smith & Sons Clocktower

We passed close to the Smith & Sons Clocktower which I haven’t photographed for a while. I was glad to see that it was showing the correct time as it had recently stopped working but, happily, has been repaired.

Duncan Terrace

We walked along Duncan Terrace which, for part of its length consists of a single row of houses facing the gardens that now cover this section of the New River. It seems a very pleasant environment and I think that if we didn’t live where we do, I would quite like to live here, though I doubt whether we could afford it!

Pretty yellow flowers

At Duncan Street, we turned past the gardens in the direction of the canal. Here we found a bush crowded with yellow flowers making a beautiful sight.

Close-up
Photo by Tigger

I don’t know they are but perhaps this close-up by Tigger will enable someone more knowledgeable to identify them.

Vincent Terrace

We continued down Vincent Terrace that runs beside the Regent’s Canal which is behind the greenery on the left. I am walking in the road here for two reasons: firstly, it gives a better view of the street and secondly, there were so many people about that I kept leaving the pavement to avoid them. It’s no doubt selfish of me but I miss the quiet days of the first lockdown when the streets were virtually empty. (Selfish, yes, but I have heard others echo the same sentiments.)

The Plaquemine Lock

This pub was open and serving customers sitting outside. From Monday, pubs and restaurants will be able to serve people indoors. The name of this pub refers to a bayou of the same name in Louisiana. The name fits with the pub’s menu of Cajun food. (No, I have no plans to try it but who knows? 🙂 )

Regent’s Canal and Islington Tunnel

From the bridge over the canal, I took the usual photo of the canal, looking towards the opening of the Islington Tunnel. The boats moored along here are all residential, as far as I know.

Wall-top environment

I also photographed the miniature environment of moss and lichen growing on top of the wall. We often overlook (literally) such environments but they are just as important in their own way as those that we do spend time studying.

Looking towards City Lock

I also took a photo from the other side of the bridge. Here, the view looks towards City Lock where there are several basins and canal offshoots which were once busy with commercial water-borne traffic but are now quiet except for occasional passing houseboats.

The Earl of Essex

The bridge across the canal doesn’t seem to have a name but is simply part of Danbury Street. We continued along this street wherein stands the Earl of Essex pub. There seem to be a lot of pubs in this neighbourhood.

The Duke of Cambridge

To back up the foregoing statement, here is another pub, this one called the Duke of Cambridge, not far away on the corner of Danbury Street with St Peter’s Street.

Elaborate railings with turrets

In St Peter’s Street, we were struck by these unusually elaborate railings with turrets on the posts. I wondered whether they were original to the house when it was built or whether they are later additions. I suspect they are original but will probably never know for sure.

St Peter’s Church (decommissioned)

This is the Grade II listed Church of St Peter. Like many churches, it ceased to be needed and was decommissioned. The interior has been converted into flats but the exterior had been preserved, protected by its listed status. I would be interested in seeing inside but think I am unlikely to have the opportunity.

Essex Road and Islington Green

St Peter’s Street led us to Essex Road near Islington Green. Nearby is the beginning of Camden Passage wherein is found, among other shops and restaurants, Redemption Roasters coffee shop, where we thought to buy coffee on the way home.

Part of the antiques market

On the way we passed this covered area that is used to host stalls for the antiques market. It didn’t seem very active but I was surprised to see any activity as the market runs in Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There were a few other stalls in Camden Passage so perhaps they have been given permission to operate on extra days.

Redemption Roasters – busy

When we reached Redemption, it was crowded and there was a queue. It would be some time before we could be served so we gave up on them and made our way to Mercer’s in Chapel Market. They were preparing to close but provided us with coffee. With this in hand, we hurried home.

That concluded our outings for today but there is always tomorrow! What shall we be doing tomorrow? I shall be sure to let you know!