When we set out this morning, the weather was cloudy with a threat of rain. We dressed accordingly, that is, with enough garments to fit whichever way the weather decided to turn.

Cloudy and threatening to rain

We strolled round Myddelton Square, making our way in leisurely fashion to the deli.

The sun came out… briefly

By the time we reached the deli, in one of those turn-abouts typical of our beloved British weather, the sun came out. It was a brief respite, though, and for the rest of our outing cloudy spells alternated with sunny intervals and the occasional spattering of rain. Don’t you just love it? 🙂

Aboard a number 30

After our coffee break, we returned uphill to the main road and caught a number 30 bus which started us on the way to our intended destination.

St Martin-in-the-Fields

The bus delivered us to Trafalgar Square and the early 18th-century Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. After nearly 300 years, the church is still here and in use but the fields that once surrounded it and in whose honour it was named, are long gone.

Nelson, still atop his column

We changed buses at Trafalgar Square where I took a quick photo through the traffic of its most famous inhabitant. Nelson is still standing on his column but for how long? There is a body of opinion that he should be removed because of his alleged racist views.

Beside the Thames

We disembarked beside the Thames which was dressed in grey to harmonise with the meteorological theme.

The Tate Britain Gallery

Opposite was our destination, the Tate Britain Gallery. We were not sure whether or not we would manage to enter as all galleries currently limit access to avoid over-crowding and you need to obtain tickets, even for free exhibitions. Perhaps because it was a week day, we were able to acquire tickets without difficulty. These were for the main exhibits, not for the special exhibitions which were booked up solid all day. We were happy with this as there were a couple of temporary exhibitions that we could see. In order to obtain tickets, we had to give our names and telephone numbers in case we needed to be notified of Covid infections occurring in the gallery.

Inside Tate Britain

The building itself is worth visiting for its architectural interest as this view of the staircase perhaps suggests. A one-way system was in force, as everywhere these days, and these stairs were “up only”: to come down you had to go another way.

The gallery cafe

Before proceeding to view the art, we paid a visit to the gallery cafe.

Coffee and cake

Here we treated ourselves to coffee and cake. Well, why not? It was a special occasion in a sense, our first post-Covid visit to a major art gallery.

First glimpse of the art

We first visited an exhibition, a commission by Heather Phillipson entitled Rupture No1: Blowtorching the Bitten Peach. I will not attempt to interpret or “explain” it. Make of it what you can with the help if the linked page.

There were still objects, like this one which is paired with an identical twin, and moving objects or screens with motion pictures as in the photo above. The universal red lighting sometimes made it difficult to see clearly.

“Like something from a nightmare,” said Tigger of this piece. Agreed.

This is a detail from the “nightmare figure”, showing that it is papered all over was sheets from newspapers.

These wheeled vehicles or machines, provided with massive animal horns, were grouped around a pool of water like animals round a waterhole.

From the outside and…

…from the inside.

My Tuk Tuk
Chila Kumari Singh Burman, 2018

We stopped to photograph this object as we were on our way to the next exhibition.

This exhibition consisted visually of a structure like a theatrical stage on which were a number of animals on stalks. It was accompanied by a monologue or commentary of which I, with my faulty hearing, could understand little. We stayed only a short while. It is called COOKING SECTIONS SALMON: A RED HERRING. Perhaps you can make sense of it.

There was the rest of the permanent collection to see but with art, as with any nourishment, there is a limit to how much I can consume at one sitting.

The gallery shop

We of course visited the gallery shop but didn’t buy anything.

St John Smith Square

From the Tate Britain we set out on foot and passed through Smith Square which is dominated by the early 18th-century church dedicated to St John. No longer serving as a church, St John’s Smith Square is now a concert hall. Many concerts broadcast by the BBC take place here.

Aboard a number 88

We boarded a number 88 bus to begin our journey home.

Eros, boarded up

We passed through Piccadilly Circus and saw that the famous fountain with its statue of Eros was boarded up. A workman was applying to the barriers what I took to be anti-climb paint. I imagine this is because an influx of hooligans is expected, stupid people whose idiotic behaviour spoils things for the rest of us.

We changed buses in Piccadilly and arrived home in time for a late lunch. It was a good outing and, all being well, there will be more tomorrow.

Tigger was at work today and I had things to do at home. I did go out later, though, as the title hints and I shall explain shortly.

The main event was the Annual Gas Check. If you do not know what this is, I will briefly explain. In the UK all domestic properties are required by law to be inspected annually for gas safety. Every year, then, we receive a letter from the Council inviting us to phone to arrange an appointment. I arranged for this to be done today, when Tigger was at work, so as not to mess up a day when she was free. As they never tell you exactly when the engineer will call, you have to wait in until that felicitous event occurs. This year there was a bonus: not only did they check our installation for safety but also stuck a CO detector on the wall to warn of leaks. (Actually, we had already bought one ourselves but I suppose having two makes us doubly safe!)

The other matter keeping me at home was a couple of deliveries of online purchases. These were too big to post through the letterbox so I had to be on hand to receive them.

These tasks having duly been completed, Tigger suggested I meet her at Liverpool Street Station on her way home. Some time ago, we had bought a packet of pancakes and they had been languishing in the fridge ever since. As their best-before date was fast approaching, we needed to eat them soon. The plan was to buy takeaway coffees, find somewhere pleasant to sit and consume coffee and pancakes there. What could possibly go wrong?

The bus stop

Tigger left work at 6 pm and at the same time I left home and walked to the bus stop in St John Street.

Aboard the 153

Here I am, aboard the 153, heading towards Luverpool Street Station.

Entering Finsbury Avenue Square

At this time of day, many coffee outlets are closed but we made our way hopefully to Finsbury Avenue Square where we found Baraka still dispensing coffee. We now had to find somewhere where we could sit and eat our pancakes. I asked above “What could possibly go wrong?” The answer is: rain. It started spitting with rain.

Everyman’s terrace

We decided to be a little cheeky. The Everyman cinema has a terrace and it was currently empty, so we sat here and ate our pancakes, managing to dispatch them before the rain became too heavy.

Shopping arcade

We then retired to this covered shopping arcade adjacent to the bus station to finish our coffee sheltered from the rain.

A bus is lurking

We then went to the bus station where our bus was lurking during the driver’s rest period. We didn’t have long to wait, fortunately.

Back at the Angel

Here we are back home at the Angel, mission accomplished!

Tigger is not working tomorrow so let’s hope the weather allows us to make the most of the day.

A sunny, cloudy

What weather should we expect today? According to the forecast, sun, clouds and showers, one of those days so typical of these islands. Here we are approaching Chapel Market on our usual Sunday shopping run.

The Farmer’s Market

The Farmers’ Market was out in force as usual.

The main market

So was the main market with the usual weekday stalls and some others that appear only on Sundays.

Queueing for Sainsbury’s

We were a little early and when we reached Sainsbury’s, there was still a queue of customers waiting for the doors to open. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long.

Queueing at the checkout

We sped round the store with practised ease and reached the checkout where we had to queue briefly.

Hurrying through the market

Afterwards, I hurried through the market as usual to collect our takeaway coffees from Mercer’s.

Order your spare keys here

I did stop to photograph this stall which is one of those that is here only on Sundays. It provides a useful service and we have had keys made here.

After a visit to Mercer’s, coffee in hand, we went quickly home for lunch and a little rest, ready for the afternoon’s outing.

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You may recognise this view from previous posts. It’s taken from a table outside Myddelton’s deli where we went for coffee.

This is a little glimpse inside the shop. It is replete with interesting foods with a definite Italian bias.

After coffee, we set off on foot. Here we are passing Percy Circus but we did not stop as we were on our way to another destination.

We went down to the main road and caught a bus to St Pancras Church.

At St Pancras Church we encountered a crowd. We had come to see an exhibition being held in the crypt. The exhibition is entitled Ritual Britain and today is the last day.

The exhibition title, I think, disguises the subject. It is really about traditional British-English folklore. This is not a topic that I know anything about or have any interest in. I therefore will not parade my ignorance with ill-founded comments but just show you some photos with occasional comments.

The above-mentioned crowd was watching a group of Morris(wo)men who went on the perform a dance, or whatever they call their activity. As we arrived late, we did not have a clear view, not that that bothered me particularly. There was drumming, clashing of sticks and guttural shouts. It all meant something, probably.

To be honest I was more interested in photographing the Greek-style caryatids.

I did manage a photo of the Morris dancers after their performance though this is probably not very interesting.

To view the exhibition we had to join a queue. This would once have seemed rather an imposition but since Covid-19, queueing has become such a usual activity that we have learned to take it patiently. The ostensible reason for the queue was to monitor numbers entering in order to avoid overcrowding. I say “ostensible” because the person monitoring us did not do a very good job, being distracted by such things as taking photos of the Morris dancers, during which several groups of people slipped into the exhibition unchecked.

When it was our turn to enter, we went down the steps to the crypt and were asked to sign in. The crypt, consisting of low tunnels and side rooms, is actually quite a good venue for exhibitions.

This is where I give up any pretence of understanding (let alone explaining) what I saw. I just took a few photos. This one was labelled “Reclaim the Forgotten”.

This one was labelled “Cherish the Neglected”.

No, I don’t know, either.

This is part of a display of costume dolls. The crowds of people (despite the ostensible monitoring of numbers entering) made it hard to obtain unobstructed views.

Costumes for dance or rituals, presumably.

Not real heads, happily.

There were lots of pictures but as photographing pictures (making a picture of a picture) seems a rather pointless exercise, I photographed just a token one.

There was also a film but we did not wait to see it, I’m relieved to say.

After this visit to the crypt and its strange contents, I was glad to catch a bus home where we could make tea and look forward to a relaxed evening.

Today is forecast to be cloudy with a threat of rain. We decided that a local walk was indicated, starting, of course, with coffee at the deli.

In Myddelton Square

This picture of the square gives an idea of the conditions. It was quite warm too.

Abandoned painting

In Claremont Square we spied this fairly large painting of sea snd sky, apparently abandoned. Was it an amateur project no longer in favour?

The sun puts in an appearance

We took our coffee outside Myddelton’s deli and at one moment, the sun shone. It was a brief interlude though welcome.

Lurking lions

After coffee, we went for a walk. I’ve photographed these lions before but they always amuse me, seeming to lurk among the foliage for prey to happen by.

Community garden, always closed

We passed this small community garden and I remarked that, being close to the deli, it could be a pleasant place to drink our coffee but, unfortunately, I have never seen it open.

A loud rushing sound
Photo by Tigger

As we walked down Lloyd Baker Street, we began to hear a loud rushing sound. Looking around, we discovered that the sound came from this manhole cover in the middle if the road. What was causing it? One possibility that occurred to us was that it might be the Fleet River, one of London’s “lost” rivers, so called because they still exist but are now hidden away underground. We will have to try to find a map of its present course to confirm or negate the hypothesis.

“Pavement garden”

Also in Lloyd Baker Street, we both photographed this garden that has been created around the base of a tree. There seem to be increasing numbers of these tiny gardens, made by individuals or the community, usually anonymously though occasionally accompanied by a notice asking people to respect it. What should we call them – “street gardens” or “pavement gardens”? I think I will use the latter designation for now, for the sake of consistency.

We met a one-eyed cat

We had not seen the local cats in either Claremont Square or Myddelton Square so when we spotted this one, also in Lloyd Baker Street we made sure to greet him politely. He accepted our attentions with equal courtesy but preferred to remain seated on the doorstep. Cat score = 1.

Sunken pavement
Photo by Tigger

We walked along part of King’s Cross Road where there is this stretch of curious sunken pavement. I don’t know what the reason for it is. I will try to discover it.

Yard or workshop?

We crossed into Pakenham Street and passed this interesting-looking though silent yard or workshop. There is a street-art-style painting on the wall at the far end. Was it commissioned or is it “guerrilla art”? Who can say?

The black cat
Photo by Tigger

Now we met our second cat, a pretty jet-black one with yellow eyes that shone from his face when he looked up at us. He also greeted us in friendly style. I rather suspect that cats sometimes become bored during the day when their owners are absent or busy and therefore appreciate meeting people who show interest. Cat score = 2.

The black cat
Photo by Tigger

Sadly, we thought is best not to stroke either of the cats as there have been warnings that pets can carry the Covid-19 though seemingly unaffected by it themselves. For now, then, our interactions with cats met along the day will be verbal only.

St Andrew’s Gardens

We had now left Islington and entered the Borough of Camden, though not very far into it. This park is called St Andrew’s Gardens and is the old burial ground of the Church of St Andrew Holbourn.

Sinking tombs

As is usual, most of the gravestones have been removed and the area landscaped though a few of the larger tombs have been left in place. What is noticeable is that most of these tombs are crooked and give the appearance of sinking into the ground, like leaky old boats becoming waterlogged.

Victorian drinking fountain

Also apparently sinking is this Victorian drinking fountain. The inscription is barely legible but I can read the date: 1885.

Tigger declared this point to be the apogee of our quasi circular walk and I thought that this was an appropriate term for it. We now began our return home.

Great Percy Street

As we walked, the clouds thickened and as we reached Great Percy Street, raindrops began to fall. Fortunately, it was a very light shower and of short duration.

Percy Circus

We began the trek up the hill to home. The outward walk had been downhill and now we had ti pay for that with a long, slow climb. We passed through that other favourite spot of ours, Percy Circus.

Passing by Bevin Court

We deviated from the straight (steep) line to take the pretty path (longer and therefore less steep) through Bevin Court.

Cruikshank Street

Here we are in Cruikshank Street, not yet home but not too far away.

Tigger had to go in to the office today and I decided to meet her part way on her route home. Liverpool Street Station makes a good meeting point.

Here I am at the Angel crossroads on the way to the bus stop to catch the 153 that goes to Liverpool Street Station. Handy.

Bouncing along on the single-deck 153. The wonders of modern communications, specifically text messages on our phones, allow us to keep in contact and say where we are and how soon we will arrive. How did we manage before mobile phones? 🙂

The bus drops you off inside the Liverpool Street Bus Station. As I was early, I decided to go for a wander. (Curiously, my foot is not at all painful today. How does one explain that?)

I thought to explore Broadgate Circus which is beside the station but it was crowded so I beat a quick retreat.

Building work took place here and went on for a very long time, partly because interesting archaeological deposits were found and had to be dealt with properly. The result of the work is a station on the new Elizabeth Line. I’m not sure when services are due to begin on it.

I walked down Blomfield Street and spied greenery. We have passed this way often but never actually explored the park.

The park lies in the centre of a circular site called Finsbury Circus. There are grand buildings but I was more interested in the garden.

Approaching the gardens. What are they like, I wonder?

The garden is circular, as you might expect, with a large central grassy area and a circular path with benches round the periphery.

It also has a small bandstand but as there was a crowd of people in it, I didn’t go any closer to photograph it.

Just then, I received a message from Tigger that she had arrived so I hurried off back to the bus station.

We fancied a coffee before starting for home but everywhere was crowded out until, in Finsbury Avenue Square, we found the Everyman Cinema. It has a bar in the basement. This is quite pleasant, with comfortable chairs and was virtually empty of customers. My sort of place.

You are served at your table and the coffee comes in proper cups. As I said, my sort of place!

After our coffee break we made for a bus stop, passing through Finsbury Square. (Do you see a pattern forming? 🙂 ) It contains, inter alia, this Victorian drinking fountain erected by the Smith family. More information here.

While waiting for the bus, I photographed this picturesque building topped by a figure of Mercury on a globe. He is so high up, though, that he is hard to make out. I previously described him here. Our bus soon arrived and were wafted back to the Angel, courtesy of TfL (Transport for London).