I recounted how we had had shopping delivered to the house on Sunday (see Tigger unwell) but as Chop Chop limits you to 20 items, we still needed to make up the difference. We made a plan to go to Sainsbury’s this evening.

Tigger let me know by text when she boarded her second bus at Liverpool Street Station. That was my signal to set out for Sainsbury’s with the shopping trolley.

Busy Pentonville Road

I crossed the busy Pentonville Road. The sun was still shining but clouds were gathering. According to the Met Office, we could expect rain and perhaps a thunderstorm. To be on the safe side, I put a light rain jacket in my handbag.

Chapel Market is closed to traffic

As it’s a market day, Chapel Market is closed to traffic and this pub and cafe had tables out in the street.

The market was virtually empty

The market itself presented a very different appearance from when we pass through it on Sunday. All the stalls had been cleared away except this one belonging to the fruit and veg shop. Mercer’s, on the left of the photo, was closed, so no coffee for us today!

The bus stop

Tigger’s bus arrives

Tigger’s bus would arrive at this stop, conveniently sited outside Sainsbury’s, so this is where I came to wait. I didn’t have ling to wait before her 153 hove into sight.

Sainsbuary’s = not very busy

Sainsbury’s was not at all busy and so we sped round the shelves easily and were soon ready to confront the checkout queue. Shortly after, were out in the street, job done. My reflex was to shoot off to Mercer’s for coffee and I had to remind myself that there was no point as they were closed.

Passing through the market

As we walked back through the market, clouds were gathering and the light was fading. It began spitting with rain: would we make it home before the downpour?

The electrical goods shop

On the way, we passed Ryness, the electrical goods shop. In the fading light, its windows made a pretty display.

And yes, we did make it home before the downpour. I hope the rains, not to mention the thunderstorms, make themselves scarce as Tigger is free on Wednesday and Thursday and we will want to make the most of them.

I’m glad to relate that by Sunday evening, Tigger was feeling a lot better. (See Tigger unwell.) This week, Monday was a working day for her and, accordingly, she went off into the City to fulfil her role. I, on the other hand, stayed at home all day because I had been informed that the scaffolders would return to complete their unfinished job. (See Scaffolding interruptus.) Guess what: yes, they never came.

Tigger is working again today (Tuesday). SoI have come out for a little walk on my own in familiar territory. I am writing this while sitting on a bench in Percy Circus and conversing by text with Tigger in her City office.

Myddelton Square, west side

It’s another hot and sunny day today with temperatures in the upper 20s Centigrade, though the forecast predicts rain and even thunderstorms this afternoon. That will be a nuisance as we have to go shopping this evening.

Inglebert Street

From the square, I turned along Inglebert Street.

The “Never give up” tree

In that street I photographed the tree stump that I mentioned in my post Never give up. Despite being cut almost to the roots, it is still putting out new branches and these have grown apace since my previous photo. It’s a symbol of determination against the odds.

Looking down Amwell Street

I crossed Amwell Street and entered the sloping Great Percy Street.

Great Percy Street

This broad but quiet residential street, with its handsome Georgian-style terraces, descends to the busy King’s Cross Road but, happily, I was not going that far, only to the trees that you see in the background of the photo.

Flourishing window box

On the way I stopped to admire this window box which is flourishing and seemingly has ambitions to take over the whole window.

Cumberland Gardens

I passed the charming cul de sac called Cumberland Gardens, with the defunct Percy Arms pub, now residential, on the corner.

Percy Circus Gardens

There are many squares in Islington, often with gardens in the centre, but here is an interesting divergence from the pattern. As its name, Percy Circus, indicates, the houses here are set in a circle, with a circular garden in the centre.

Sitting in Percy Circus Gardens

I chose a bench in the central area, under the beautiful tree that presides over it. In this agreeable and peaceful setting, I have written this post up to this point. In a while. I will make my way up the hill to home. Which way shall I choose to go?

A last look back

When I decided to leave this quiet haven, it was with a last look back. “My” bench is the one on the right.

Path to Holford Gardens

To start back, I took this path leading off the Circus. If it has a name, I don’t know what it is. It leads to a small park called Holford Gardens.

The next path

This in turn leads to another path which is also nameless, as far as I know.

The “Cliff of apartments”

It leads past what I previously described as the “cliff of apartments” that is Bevin Court.

Looking rather sad

This grassy area in front of the building was left to grow freely during the spring and became a wild meadow of tall grasses interspersed with flowers. It was beautiful. Now it has been mown and looks rather sad, its beauty destroyed.

Cruikshank Street

I next climbed the gentle slope of Cruikshank Street.

A charm of their own

The houses in this street are not in the Georgian style that characterises much of this neighbourhood, but they have a charm of their own.

A view from Claremont Square

My final view is from Claremont Square, showing a familiar scene with St Mark’s Church prominent. I was soon home where I had lunch and settled down to await Tigger for this evening’s trip to the shops.