It’s another grey day but so far without rain. We set out about 9:30 for our usual matutinal coffee.

The kitten in the window

In Claremont Square, the kitten we always look out for was in his favoured place at the window.

The cat in the square
Photo by Tigger

The cat gods must have been smiling on us today because, as we took a turn round Myddelton Square, we saw one of the cats that live in a house there. Discretion was needed in taking the photo as there were also humans present in the room!

Myddelton Square Gardens

We visited the deli and then, coffee in hand, made for Myddelton Square Gardens. In this dull weather, it was easy to find an unoccupied bench.

Squirrels like dried banana
Photo by Tigger

Tigger had brought some bird seed with her. The “seed” in fact contains other goodies such as nuts and slices of dried banana. The squirrels seem to like the latter but are nervous of the pigeons so that feeding them requires organising: toss bird seed to one side to distract the pigeons, then throw a slice of banana to the squirrel.

A few pigeons at first

At first, there were relatively few pigeons and feeding proceeded fairly calmly. Gradually, though, more and more pigeons arrived and things became more chaotic.

More chaotic later

Later, we thought about catching the 153 down to Beech Street and walking back. We set off down St John Street and waited for some time at a bus stop without sny buses appearing. Fortunately, Tigger spotted a not very prominent notice advising that buses were being diverted because of road works and that no buses would be calling at this stop. We therefore abandoned that plan.

Walking through the housing estate

We decided to return home by taking a long way round. We started by entering the Finsbury Housing Estate through the arches of Patrick Coman House.

A cliff of apartments

The Finsbury Estate is quite large and consists of a mixture of high-rise dwellings, like this cliff of apartments, and relatively low-rise blocks like the one below.

Relatively low-rise block

There are even some single-storey or bungalow style dwellings, like these:

Bungalow-style apartments

I have never lived in high-density housing and, to be honest, the idea makes me nervous. What about the problem of noisy neighbours or other dangers such as fire? There have recently been a number of apartment-block fires with loss of life and fire services seem unable to deal with high-rise blocks effectively.

Meeting the friendly cat

In the Finsbury Estate we encountered the friendly cat. He greeted each of us in turn and accompanied us for a while before going off on his own mysterious business.

Small park

We left the estate via this small park or garden, apparently unnamed.

Crossing Rosebery Avenue

We crossed the pleasant Rosebery Avenue, lined with mature trees.

Something strange in Wilmington Square Gardens

As we approached Wilmington Square, we saw that there was something strange in the central gardens. It looked like a tent. Who would pitch a tent in the gardens and why?

The tent in Wilmington Square

We entered the gardens and saw that the object was indeed a tent.

Old and new, bandstand and tent

There was work being done related to the tent but what the intended result would be, we were unable to discover.

The old drinking fountain

Before leaving Wilmington Square Gardens, I photographed the drinking fountain. It looks to be Victorian but is in a very bad condition and its extensive inscriptions are virtually illegible. It desperately needs repair and refurbishment or it will be lost.

Fernsbury Street

We walked up Fernsbury Street to…

Lane between gardens

…the unnamed lane that runs between gardens and leads to Lloyd Square.

Great Percy Street

Via Cumberland Gardens we reached Great Percy Street, that strangely broad yet quiet residential street.

Cruikshank Street

From Great Percy Street we entered Holford Street that leads here, to Cruikshank Street, where we are nearly home.

We did not carry out the walk we had intended but we can try again another day. As it was, we had a good ramble and returned home looking forward to lunch!