According to the weather forecast, this morning would be cloudy though dry but there would be thunderstorms and rain all afternoon. We thought we should at least be able to do our shopping before the rains came.

The Farmers’ Market

As usual, we passed through Chapel Market on the way to Sainsbury’s. It was as busy as expected and the Sunday Farmers’ Market was taking place.

The crockery stall

The crockery stall is one among many that are present only on Sunday. Where are they the rest of the week? Do they attend other markets or stay at home? Unless we happen on them by chance somewhere else, we will probably never know.

Sainsbury’s, averagely busy

Sainsbury’s was averagely busy but we had prepared in advance (including choosing our items in the points game) so we had finished fairly quickly. At the checkout, we saw that they are already beginning to remove some of the safety screens erected to protect from infection. The screens around the till operators remain but those between the queues of customers are disappearing. I can see no good reason for this as they do no harm and cause no hindrance so why not leave them in place for extra protection?

On my way through the market

Following tradition, on leaving Sainsbury’s, I took the cup holder and dashed through the market to Mercer’s.

Through the window at Mercer’s

These days, Mercer’s, like other coffee shops, allows customers to sit inside as well as at tables outside. They seem to have given up all pretence of providing for a degree of social distancing and none of the staff were wearings masks. I was the only one to do so. I won’t waste my time expressing my opinion of this as I expect you can guess what I think of it.

After lunch, Tigger wanted to go for a walk, taking in Myddelton’s deli on the way. By now, however, we could hear thunder rumbling and a glance through the window showed rain pelting down.

We waited a while, hoping the rain would stop. Optimistic or what? 🙂 But, actually, it did stop and so we hurried out because the deli closes at 3 pm on Sundays.

A wet world

We ventured into a wet world with puddles everywhere. London’s roads and pavements have been dug up so many times that any memory of them being flat and level has been lost. What drains exist are often blocked and the road and pavement surfaces no longer slope towards them in any case. This results in huge puddles forming.

Under the umbrella

As we progressed along, it began to rain again. I carry a folding umbrella in my handbag and, even though we were wearing rain jackets, it seemed a good idea to deploy it. As my hands were occupied, Tigger took this photo.

Church and Curvaceous Tree

I did relinquish control of the brolly to take the above photo, despite the rain, because the light seemed just right for photographing my Curvaceous Tree.

From the door of the deli

Having bought our coffee, we prepared to leave the deli. At this point, it was raining slightly, nothing to worry about, or so it seemed.

The heavens opened

But as we stepped into the street, the heavens opened, and a downpour began. We quickly took refuge under the shop’s canopy but even so, by the time we did so, the compressed paper cup holder had begun to disintegrate and we abandoned it, each carrying a cup of hot coffee. How long would we be stuck here like bedraggled sheep under a tree?

Happily, after a while, the rain eased somewhat and so we broke for home while we could.

Will tomorrow bring more clement conditions? Tigger returns to work only on Wednesday so we hope the next couple of days will bring kinder weather but in this country there are no guarantees!