Unusually for a Wednesday, Tigger doesn’t have to go in to work but, on the other hand, she had an appointment in deepest Clerkenwell at the uncivilised hour of 8:20 am. Glutton for punishment that I am, I went with her.

Aboard a number 30 bus

Accordingly, we set off on a number 30 bus, here running down the lower reaches of Pentonville Road.

St Pancras Church
Photo by Tigger

We left the bus in Euston Road near the Grade I listed Church of St Pancras, built 1819-22 though refurbished in the 1950s.

Shops in Woburn Walk

Our way took us along the picturesque Woburn Walk with its Georgian (1822) shops, still in much their original form. Note the gratings covering the basement area, presumably to allow prospective shoppers to approach the window and see the goods on show.

A fluffy wedding dress

Several of the shops were displaying wedding dresses in their windows, all of them in a frothy, filmy design. Do people really wear dresses like this or are they exhibition pieces to show off the dressmaker’s art?

House with turrets

I stopped to admire this house with twin turrets. I have a long-standing, but so far unfulfilled, ambition to live in such a house and to inhabit a room in a turret. I don’t know why one turret is nicely painted green and the other left dull unless the house is perhaps a shared occupancy.

Marchmont Community Garden

As we approached the place of the appointment, we found we were early and so we made a pause in this pleasant setting, the Marchmont Community Garden. There were wooden seats and benches so we sat for a while, looking about us and enjoying the peaceful setting.

The Brunswick Shopping Centre

The appointment concluded, we walked to this fascinating place, the Bruswick Shopping Centre. It is an enclosed area filled with shops, restaurants and a cinema. Along two sides are blocks of flats built to a terraced design.

Leon

We came looking for breakfast and plumped for Leon, a chain restaurant that we have visited often before.

Order at a terminal
Photo by Tigger

Inside, I encountered a novelty, though Tigger had already seen – and used – these terminals. You touch items on the displayed menu to create your order then pay electronically. You are asked to give a name for them to call when the order is ready but in fact they didn’t use it. They used the order number instead.

Inside Leon

We chose to eat inside and as there were few customers at this time in the morning it was easy to find a table.

Coram’s Fields

We decided to walk home and set out happily, fortified by breakfast. Among the notable places we passed through was the park called Coram’s Fields, named after the philanthropist Thomas Coram (1668-1751).

The Foundling Museum

Thomas Coram is especially famous for the Foundlings Hospital that he set up in 1739 for orphans and children whose families could no longer care for them. The original building no longer exists but is memorialised in the Foundling Museum which can, of course, be visited.

Thomas Coram
Sculpted by William Macmillan

Nearby is the Grade II listed monument to Thomas Coram. The likeness was sculpted by William Macmillan in 1963.

Percy Circus

We walked through a number of streets without seeing much of interest and arrived at last on home territory in Great Percy Street. We made our way up that hilly street, going through Percy Circus Garden, though we did not tarry here today.

Cumberland Gardens

We passed along Cumberland Gardens to Lloyd Square and thence to Myddelton’s deli where we of course stopped to buy coffee.

Myddelton Square Gardens

We carried our coffee along River Street into Myddelton Square where we found a bench in a shady area of the gardens.

Panorama of the gardens

We sat there for quite some time, enjoying the sights and sounds around us. For good measure, I made a panorama view of the gardens.

Walking through Myddelton Square

We at last decided that it was time to go home and walked up through Myddelton Square homewards with lunch to look forward to.

The temperature is slated to reach a heady 29°C this afternoon. That’s enough to keep us indoors for the duration but if it cools down later, we may venture out again for an evening stroll.

As I mentioned, Tigger is at work today and so I have to amuse myself. I managed to keep myself busy this morning and after lunch it was very warm outside, too warm for walking, it seemed to me.

Sunshine in Myddelton Square

For this reason, it seemed a good idea to take a book and sit in the garden in Myddelton Square. So thither I went.

The Curvaceous Tree

I of course greeted the Curvaceous Tree in passing.

Sunlit gardens

In the gardens, I looked for a bench in the shade. I knew which one I wanted but it was occupied so I sat on another one, hoping “my” bench would become free.

Feeding the birds

I did have some bird seed with me but only in case my one-footed pigeon turned up. As it happened, someone else was feeding the birds and my services were not required 🙂

The bench became free

The bench I wanted did become free. It was in a shady part of the garden with good views all around.

Shady under the trees

There were people sitting on benches and others sitting and lying on the grass. The sensible ones were in the shady areas but one or two, were lying in the sun with their shirts off, presumably wishing to acquire skin cancer.

A visitor

This flying insect landed on my handbag and posed for photos. A bee also flew onto my trouser leg but departed before I could take a photo. Then there was the small spider: have you ever tried to remove a small spider that doesn’t want to be removed? It attaches a safety line to you and when you blow on it to dislodge it, it disappears momentarily but climbs right back up its safety line and there it is again!

It’s pleasant in the garden

I alternated reading my book and looking around me at what the people and the animals, including people’s dogs, were doing. The garden is very pleasant but the benches are hard and become uncomfortable after a while!

Dog walkers meet

These three men all came into the gardens to walk their dogs and met by chance. It was obvious that they knew one another and settled down to have a conversation, leaving their canines to amuse themselves.

As the hour of Tigger’s return was approaching, I did a circuit of the garden and left by the top gate. As I reached the road, I noticed something in a window.

Cat in the window number 1

We always look our for the two cats that live in the square but recently have seen them only rarely. Today this one was sitting at the open window where we saw them for the first time during lockdown.

Cat in the window number 2

To cap it all, as I walked through Claremont Square, I saw that cat as well. He was at a basement window, apparently trying to catch a fly. Two cats in one day: is that a record? 🙂

It has remained warm all day and we have stayed at home relaxing like sheep under a tree. We waited until 7 pm to go out again when, we hoped, it would be cooler.

The crossroads at evening

We passed through the Angel crossroads which is a busy junction at most times of day.

St John Street, sunlight and shadow

We walked down St John Street, keeping to the shady side of the street.

Chadwell Street

We entered Chadwell Street which is rather oddly arranged. The picture shows the end where it enters St John Street. Note the cycle track on the left. Just behind me, Arlington Way branches off to the left (over my right shoulder as I take the photo). Thus, motor vehicles can enter Chadwell Street and then turn left into Arlington Way. Beyond that point, however, Chadwell Street is blocked by a line of hire cycle posts, preventing vehicles (but not bicycles) from proceeding and entering Myddelton Square. This has possibly been done to prevent the square being used a rat run by motor vehicles. If so, then I approve, as it keeps the square as a quiet oasis.

Window box

I photographed this pretty window box in Chadwell Street. I have admired it several times in passing and thought I had better photograph it though the lighting conditions may not be perfect. Each year, the Amwell Society organises a window box competition and I’m sure that this encourages people to create beautiful displays.

Myddelton Square Garden

We entered Myddelton Square Gardens. There were a few people sitting on benches enjoying the evening. We did not stop but continued across.

Another view of the gardens

We wondered whether we would see my friend, the one-footed pigeon, but there were few pigeons to be seen. I think most were already roosting in the trees.

Guess who?

We left the gardens by the lower gate and walked round the Square. We wanted to visit the tree where we had seen the stag beetle (a reader kindly confirmed that it was a stag beetle). We thought it unlikely that it would still be there but it was worth a look. Adult stag beetles live at most from May to August and die after mating. The stag beetle was not there which meant it might well still be alive. Now that we have seen one, perhaps we will see others. As we were looking for the stag beetle, Electra flashed by. She had obviously put off her exercise period till later, like us.

Evening sunlight in the square

We continued round the square taking in all the details and noting any changes. We turned the corner and…

A speeding Electra

…saw Electra go speeding past. That was her last circuit because we did not see her again. We continued through the square to Mylne Street, though I stopped on the corner for one last photo:

The Curvaceous Tree

Then we continued on our way home to spend a quiet evening.

That’s the end of the weekend for us this time around as Tigger will be working Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week, an awkward arrangement but only temporary. We will have an extra long “weekend”, Friday to Tuesday, to make up for it.

Today bids fair to be the hottest so far this year. Anyone sensible knows that the best thing to do with the heat is to stay out of it but, equally, the shopping needs to be done and so, with due reluctance, we set forth into the sunshine.

Sunlight and shadow in Baron Street

Discounting the heat, the sunshine does at least make everything look cheerful and lift your mood, something that we denizens of this damp and cloudy island duly appreciate.

The Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market was open and busy as usual. There seem to be three categories of shoppers: those who shop in the market; those who shop at Waitrose; and those who, like us, shop at Sainsbury’s, though there are no doubt some who visit more than one of these sources.

The crockery stall

The crockery stall is usually here on a Sunday. They have an impressive range of items from mugs and cups, through jugs and plates to teapots. I once bought a mug here and usually have a look to see whether anything catches my fancy.

Cafe al fresco

The cafes in the upper part of the street are prevented by the Farmers’ Market from putting tables in the road today but further down, they still can. This is Cafe Millennium and it has attracted some customers for open-air service.

The plant stall

This stall selling plants is another stalwart of the market. It takes up position in White Conduit Street and has a wide range of plants, the selection changing with the seasons. You may recall that it continued to be present all through the pandemic. I hope their assiduity has been duly rewarded.

Sainsbury’s was busy and…

Sainsbury’s was busy in some parts and…

…not busy

…less busy in others. It didn’t take us too long to tour the usual shelves and pick up the usual selection of goodies.

I remember, as a child, going shopping with my mother. We did not enjoy the luxury of a fridge and had to shop for fresh goods several times a week. Milk was delivered to the doorstep daily but in summer inevitably went sour during the day. I was used to drinking tea with white “floaters” on it. I did at least learn how to make “cottage cheese” by passing sour milk through a muslin to catch the residue. Unsurprisingly, I have maintained a love-hate relationship with milk ever since! To this day, I take my tea and coffee black.

Hurrying through Chapel Market

As usual, I hurried through the market to Mercer’s, leaving Tigger to follow in due course with the loaded trolley. The main market forms two distinct groups of stalls with an empty space between them. I have yet to work out the reason for this. It does seem rather curious.

Carrying the coffee

Having bought the coffee, we made for home. Strange, isn’t it, that on a hot day we still find hot coffee a delectable treat? Yes, I know some people have iced coffee in summer but this is a fad that I have never even been tempted to try. For me, tea and coffee are beverages to be consumed hot and that’s that! You can’t teach an old tiger new tricks 🙂

At 5 pm we set foot outside again although it was still very warm 24°C). We went for a stroll around the neighbourhood with a destination in view.

Cruikshank Street

The low evening sun was producing areas of brightness alternating with long shadows. It was easy to be dazzled by the sun shining into your eyes. We went down Cruikshank Street to…

Flowers in Bevin Court

…the housing estate at the bottom called Bevin Court, where these flowers were making a pretty display.

Looking up Great Percy Street

We crossed Great Percy Street which, though residential, is quite wide and descends, straight as an arrow, to Kings Cross Road, interrupted at one point by one of our favourite places, the garden of Percy Circus.

Lloyd Baker Street

We passed down Lloyd Street, through Lloyd Square, into Lloyd Baker Street. (Do you see a pattern forming? 🙂 ) Myddelton’s deli is at the end on the left and we might have been tempted to tarry a while there but for the fact they were closed for the day…

Amwell Street shops

We crossed Amwell Street where these shops were glowing in the evening sun. They too were closed and shuttered.

Trees in River Street

We continued along River Street where my attention was caught by the roadside trees and how green they were. They seem to be thriving despite the little rain we have had.

Flowers on the doorstep

Many houses around here have flowers growing on their doorsteps and I wonder whether they are cultivated or have sprung up spontaneously. Either way, they are pretty and I like them.

Myddelton Square Gardens

Into Myddelton Square we went. I wondered whether the pigeons would recognise us and come begging for food! (No, not really, and anyway, they were busy with another person feeding them.)

Squirrel observing us

I managed to snap this squirrel hanging on a tree and observing us hopefully before disappearing again.

Stag beetle (I think)
Photo by Tigger

Tigger spotted this big beetle resting on a tree at the edge of the garden. We think it is a stag beetle, though we are not sure.

Chadwell Street

From the square we crossed into Chadwell Street, named, like Amwell Street, after one of the springs which are the source of the New River.

Roses in Chadwell Street

I photographed these roses in Chadwell Street, growing in the same garden that produced roses that I admired when we started our local rambles during the very first lockdown. How long ago that now seems to be!

Houses in Chadwell Street

The stepped arrangement of houses in Chadwell Street always claims my attention as it is so unusual amidst the usual regularity of Georgian-style houses.

The Banana Tree

And so to St John Street and our aforementioned destination: the Banana Tree restaurant.

Inside the Banana Tree

At this early hour, the restaurant was not busy and as the air conditioning was on, we chose to eat there rather than order a takeaway. That way, we could have jasmin tea as well!

Evening at the Angel Crossroads

Afterwards, we passed by the Angel crossroads on our way to spend a peaceful evening at home. ‘Night, all!