You may have noticed that Tigger has been on holiday recently, which has enabled us to explore areas beyond our immediate vicinity. I has been a very enjoyable time but the holiday has ended and today, Tigger has has to go in to the office and will do so again tomorrow.

This being so, I had to make do with my own company on my walk today. The forecast was promising rain but in the event, apart from the briefest of showers, the weather was dry and and there was even sunshine from time to time.

The Angel crossroads

I passed through the Angel crossroads which was quite busy, as you can see, with both vehicle traffic and pedestrians.

An elegant shop sign

Walking down St John Street, I passed this shop advertising “Designer clothing since 1993” and called Dress for Less London. I have passed it many times but today i noticed the elegant shop sign showing a lady in a full-length dress. In medieval times, shop signs were the rule but today they are a rarity though pubs still maintain the tradition. I don’t suppose that possessing a sign necessarily makes the business any better than the competition but I like to see them.

Rosebury Avenue and Sadler’s Wells Theatre

I turned down Rosebury Avenue (named after the Earl of Rosebery, 1847-1929), where we find the famous, though currently inactive, Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

A door with an intriguing notice

I noticed this intriguing notice on a door and wondered to whom it is directed. Here is an expanded version:

Is this an invitation?

I wondered whether it was an invitation to passers-by but assumed not.

Entering Spa Green

I crossed the road and entered Spa Green by the top gate. This is a small park but very pleasant.

A a magnificent old tree

In an open space stands this magnificent tree. It’s not clear from the photo how huge it is. I stood for quite a while observing it, imagining I was a squirrel and tracing all the routes up the tree to the too. I don’t know whether there is a resident squirrel or not. I couldn’t see a drey but there might be one hidden away in the upper branches.

Paved area with central tree

Further down, there is a paved area with its own central tree. It had benches but also another, less common, piece of furniture.

Fancy a game?

It consists of a table and two seats, all fixed in place, with a chess board inscribed on the table top. I have yet to see anyone playing chess here but perhaps it will happen one day.

Are there chess pieces here?

The notice on the side seems to indicate that there are chess pieces available but if so, I don’t know how you access them.

Finsbury War Memorial

Spa Green is home to the Finsbury War Memorial (Finsbury was an old borough that was absorbed into the Borough if Islington). It’s quite a handsome piece of work and serves the secondary purpose of providing a safe perch for the garden’s pigeon population.

Leaning trees

I returned up Rosebery Avenue and suddenly noticed this row of trees: they are all leaning, slightly by definitely, in the same direction. Since I became aware of my first leaning tree, I have been seeing them everywhere. Is this a London phenomenon or do most trees lean one way or another? I shall keeping observing them to find out!

Today’s give-away offer

It’s a rare day that I don’t find apparently serviceable items left out in the street, seemingly for anyone to take. Today it is a pair of table or beside lamps. They have been placed here, far away from any houses so are obviously dumped. No doubt someone will find a use for them.

Myddelton Passage

I went up Arlington Way and then into Myddelton Passage beside the Shakespeare’s Head pub. This was not by chance: I had intended to come here. Perhaps you can guess what I was looking for.

The pub vine – leaves at last!

You perhaps remember that I kept scrutinising the vine on the wall of the pub garden to see whether it produced any new leaves. It had been completely bare and I had begun to wonder whether it was dead. Today, I found it covered with bright green new leaves. Am I silly to feel relieved? Silly or not, I am pleased to see the new leaves and look forward to it producing its crop of tiny grapes in due season.

Myddelton Square

From the Passage, I crossed the lovely Myddelton Square with its church and central garden. (I didn’t see Electra, in case you are wondering 🙂 ) I entered the garden a strolled round it.

Squirrel eating

In the garden I met a squirrel who was not in the least fazed by my presence. Nor was he hoping for anything from me as he had found something to eat.

A quick performance

Afterwards, he put on a quick performance so as not to disappoint his audience.

A last look

I took a last look at the garden and left by the north gate. However, I did pay a quick visit to an old friend.

The Curvaceous Tree

My last photo was of my familiar Curvaceous Tree, gradually dressing itself in new green leaves to celebrate spring and approaching summer.

As for me, I am heading for home to make tea and look forward to Tigger returning from work.

Today we met a friend from outside London and took him round some of the places he wanted to see. We covered a good deal of ground and so I will simply show photographs of some of the things and places that we saw.

St Pancras and King’s Cross Stations

King’s Cross Departures

Striking building, St John’s Street and Charterhouse Street

Walking through Smithfield Market

One of the “Gates”

Entrance, Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great

The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great

I Goat, Kenny Hunter, 2010

One of the elephants of the Herd of Hope exhibition

Stalls, Spitalfields Market

Wooden Boat with Seven People, Kalliopi Lemos, 2012

Jacob, dray horse monument, The Circle (near Tower Bridge)

Low tide, St Saviour’s Dock

The Thames and the sky

Pedestrian Bridge across St Saviour’s Dock

Shad Thames

Sun, rain and clouds over the Thames

Tower Bridge

Hay’s Galleria, previously Hay’s Wharf

The Navigators, David Kemp, 1987

The day started cloudy with sunny intervals with a cold wind. Towards the end of our outing, in defiance of the weather forecast, it began to rain torrentially.

From Hay’s Galleria, we were soon at London Bridge Station where we were able to catch a 43 bus back to the Angel.

We both needed a couple of items from the shops and thought that Tottenham Court Road would be the best place to find them. The weather was cloudy with sunny intervals and a gusty wind like yesterday.

Waiting for the bus in St John Street

Because our usual bus to Tottenham Court Road, the 73, is diverted owing to road works, we chose an alternative route, taking the 38 in St John Street.

Aboard the 38

We caught a 38 which would take us near to our destination.

Tottenham Court Road

When we reached Tottenham Court Road, I was relieved to see it was not at all crowded as it was in our previous visit. (See Coffee and Portuguese tarts.)

Inside Hema

We started by visiting Hema which was also not crowded as it was last time. Tigger was able to buy what she needed but I drew a blank.

Flying Tiger of Copenhagen

We next tried Flying Tiger of Copenhagen. This shop changes its stock continually, so you never know what you will find there. It’s a matter of luck if you find what you are seeking. Today, I was not lucky.

Continuing along Tottenham Court Road

We continued along Tottenham Court Road as there were a couple of shops left to try.

Goodge Street Underground Station

As we passed Goodge Street Station, it reminded me that I hadn’t travelled by tube for months. I used to travel by tube a lot but I think my last journey by tube was months ago when I had to take my iPhone to the Apple store for a repair.

Robert Dyas

At the top of Tottenham Court Road is the stop for our bus back to the Angel but there is also a branch of Robert Dyas there. Would they have what I was looking for? Yes, they did, so our visit to Tottenham Court Road ended successfully.

Aboard the 390

There was going to be a wait for our usual bus so we took the 390 which would require us to change later. It’s a three-door bus but our preferred rear-facing seat was taken, so we took the one across the aisle from it.

Changing buses at Euston Station

We changed buses at Euston Station. To complete our journey, we chose the 30 as experience shows that it is usually not crowded. And so it proved.

The reservoir, Pentonville Road

We left the bus at the reservoir in Pentonville Road. Here too is the top end of Amwell Street.

Myddeltin’s deli

I expect you guessed where we went next: down Amwell Street to Myddelton’s deli.

A novelty – plates!
Photo by Tigger

We ordered coffee and custard tarts and went out to a table to wait. When the order arrived, there was a surprise: the tarts were on plates! Previously, they had brought them in a paper bag.

The sun shows itself

While we were dealing with our coffee and tarts, the sun came out and so I took the opportunity of a photo of the scene, momentarily sunlit.

Dramatic skyscape

This photo of the dramatic sky shows why the sun shows itself only from time to time and then only briefly.

Cumberland Gardens

After Myddelton’s we went for another walk. We crossed into Wharton Street and to the steps leading into the picturesque Cumbeland Gardens.

Walking through Cumberland Gardens

Cumberland Gardens leads into Great Percy Street and on the corner is a building that is now residential but was originally a pub, the Percy Arms.

Looking up Great Percy Street

We could have gone down Great Percy Street to our favourite spot in Percy Circus but today we crossed into Holford Street.

Cruikshank Street

In Cruikshank Street, I managed to catch another sunny moment. From here, we were very soon home and I will leave you with another familiar image but one that I cherish.

Milne Street and St Mark’s Church from Claremont Square

The weather was not promising. It was cloudy and a gusty wind made it feel colder than the thermometer suggested. I put the hat-lock on my hat, to be on the safe side.

What’re you looking at?
Photo by Tigger

We passed through Claremont Square and, as always, looked for the kitten. He was in the window, which seems to be a favourite place. In the midst of grooming, he became aware of us and our interest and gave us a questioning stare.

“Electra” or the Circling Cyclist
Photo by Tigger

We took a turn round Myddelton Square and spied a familiar figure. The other day, we saw that the model name of her bicycle is “Electra”, and that struck us as a good name for its owner. Henceforth, we will refer to her as Electra!

We made our way to Myddelton’s deli and consumed our coffee on the “terrace” outside, despite the wind. Then we started walking again.

Wharton Street

From the deli, we walked along Wharton Street, which slopes downwards and reveals the BT Tower in the distance.

Melting steps

We were intrigued by these steps that seem to have partially melted.

Blowing in the wind
Photo by Tigger

This photo by Tigger will give you an idea of the conditions because it shows how the blossom is being shaken by the wind.

Strange fruit

We wondered what this strange bush was with unusual fruit that resembles onions…

Hanging by a thread…

They looked like onions because they are onions. Someone has hung them by strings from the branches of a shrub. I cannot imagine why.

King’s Cross Road

We arrived at the bottom of the hill at King’s Cross Road. It wasn’t as busy as it sometimes is and I was glad about that.

The Carpenter’s Arms

I think I have photographed this pub before. Built no later than 1840, it is looking rather miserable at the moment with the windows covered. Will it be revived? Many have closed during the pandemic never to open again.

Great Percy Street

We passed the end of Great Percy Street and so I photographed it from this, for us, unusual angle. You can just about make out the greenery of our “happy place”, Percy Circus.

Ornate doorway

This doorway is very ornate and includes a pair of winged lions or griffons. The building is currently occupied by a branch of Travelodge but I am sure it must have originally been intended for a nobler purpose.

Ghost signs

Nearing King’s Cross Station, we passed this building with faded signage on the façade. These old advertisements are often called “ghost signs”, a term that I don’t particularly like. They may have faded but they indicate the actual business once transacted here and are real enough. Perhaps “historical signs” would be a kinder name. I know nothing about the firm that had the signs painted or when it existed here.

Calidonian Road

We crossed the famous “Cally” (Caledonian) Road though it doesn’t appear to be anything special as seen from this viewpoint.

King Charles I

I noticed this Victorian pub in Northdown Street. What’s special about it? Nothing, really, but it struck me as a not very propitious name for a pub – or anything else – given the fate suffered by its namesake. Let’s hope the pub does not meet a similarly ignominious end.

Joseph Grimaldi Park

A couple of streets further on, we entered Joseph Grimaldi Park. The park is the former burial ground of the no longer extant St James’s Chapel. It was transformed into a public park by the removal of the gravestones – all but one, that is.

Gravestones placed against the wall

As with other old London graveyards, the stones have been removed to the periphery and placed against the wall where they are gradually weathering away and losing their inscriptions.

Grave of Joseph Grimaldi

The one exception is the grave of Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837), the famous actor and comedian often dubbed “the father of clowning”. This has been restored and has given its name to the park. The grave is still visited by admirers.

Musical “graves”

In one corner of the park are to be found these mock graves. The intention is that treading on a section rings a bell, each bell having a different tone. Need I say that most of the bells no longer ring? How do I know? Guess!

Trying out the bells
Photo by Tigger

I tried them and Tigger photographed me while I was doing so. Busted!

A busy Pentonville Road

We left the park and entered into a busy Pentonville Road. We did not have to endure it for long, however, as from here we soon reached home where we rewarded ourselves with tea and slices of buttered fruit loaf!

This morning, it being Sunday, we did our usual shopping run to the supermarket.

Passing through Chapel Market

We passed through Chapel Market which was very busy and crowded, quite like “old times”.

Inside Sainsbury’s

In contrast, Sainsbury’s was not very busy and we sped round the shelves with very little difficulty.

To Mercer’s for coffee

As usual, too, we called in at Mercer’s for takeaway coffees on the way home.

Camden High Street

After lunch, we went first to Camden Town, where we visited a shop in Camden High Street. Then we caught a bus that took us to our main destination, Regent’s Park.

Regent’s Canal

We entered the park from the north at the entrance beside the famous ZSL London Zoo. The path takes us over the Regent’s Canal by a bridge.

Entering Regent’s Park

From the bridge, you need to cross a road called the Outer Circle and then you find yourself on a broad path in the park.

Leaning trees

We found a vacant bench and sat for a while, taking in the scene and the movement of people. I noticed that the trees in the other side of the path all leaned at the same angle. So did the trees on our side of the path. Why? Was this caused by the direction of the prevailing wind here?

Trying to fly a kite

After a while we went for a walk. The sky was cloudy and the sun broke through from time to time, making the park prettier then dull again.

Ready Money Drinking Fountain

We passed by the ornate drinking fountain donated in 1869 by Sir Cowasjee “Ready Money” Jehangir.

An area with trees

There are grassy areas (some with football matches in progress) and areas with trees.

Cafe

We called in at the cafe. You can order at the table, using your mobile and a QR code or go inside for a takeaway. They were controlling how many people could be inside at any one time and so there was a queue.

Sitting on the grass

There were many people, alone and in groups, sitting on the grass. There were also picnics in progress, some with large groups of people.

A corner of the lake

There is a lake, parts of which are used for boating and parts that are fenced off for water fowl to use in peace. This is such a section.

A heron

We spotted a heron. I think there are several that frequent this lake.

Stream and bridge

I don’t know whether this is a real stream but with the bridge it makes a picturesque scene.

Drinking fountain

This drinking fountain is obviously quite old (Victorian at a guess) but there was no inscription to confirm its age. And no, it doesn’t work.

Flower beds

There are flower bed in places all very beautiful and well kept.

Small pond

We sat for a while beside this small pond. I think it must once have been for small boats but at present it has been taken over by geese.

Lake and distant tower

This is a view of part of the main lake with distant views behind it. Perhaps you can make out to BT Tower.

Coots
Photo by Tigger

Though not as numerous as the coots in St James’s Park, there are a lot of coots here too. Many were diving for food which was fun to watch.

Egyptian goose
Photo by Tigger

There are ducks and geese on and around the lake. Canada geese are probably the most numerous species but there are a lot of the pretty Egyptian geese too.

Swan
Photo by Tigger

There were also a few swans who came sailing by just of the off-chance that there might be food in the offing. Some people did feed the birds, despite notices asking them not to do so.

Coots’ nest

Coots had built one of their typical untidy-looking nests. A coot was sitting on the nest, suggesting that there were eggs.

Old Marylebone Town Hall

We eventually left the park and walked via Baker Street to Marylebone Road when we waited at the bus stop across from this building with a tower. It was built as the Marylebone Town Hall but that borough no longer exists. I’m not sure what its present purpose is.

Aboard the number 30

We waited for a number 30 bus. This became a little crowded during the journey and a recorded voice informed us that the driver must limit numbers to prevent overcrowding. I don’t think he ever actually took any such action and we arrived home without further incident.