Much as I deplore it and have kept pretending to myself that it isn’t happening, I have reluctantly to admit the approach of winter and all the unpleasantness that entails. In that connection, did you remember that the clocks went back this morning? If you remembered, perhaps you enjoyed an extra hour in your warm bed before facing the new day. If not, you might have wondered why all the shops and cafes were late in opening today.

As it is Sunday, we performed our usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s but I refrained from taking photos of it because I imagine you must be bored of seeing them by now. If not, let me know and I will start again 🙂

The day started dull and wet but things improved around lunchtime so we went out, heading for the deli, where we hoped to have coffee.

Sunlit tree

In Claremont Square, we stopped to admire this tree, prettily lit by sunshine.

Halloween decorations?

We also spotted what appears to be an off-beat attempt at Halloween decorations.

At the deli, a disappointment awaited…

The notice
Photo by Tigger

The deli was closed! In the window was a notice informing us that the shop will be closed on Sundays throughout winter. Disappointing as this is, I understand perfectly well why they find it necessary. I expect that during the lockdowns and periods of various restrictions, they, like many businesses, enjoyed an upsurge in trade as people preferred to shop locally but now that people are returning to their previous habits, trade has fallen off and it’s no longer worth paying staff for the reduced amount of Sunday trade.

Unusually tall street tree

We set out to look for an alternative source of coffee, crossing Pentonville Road into Penton Street. It was Tigger who noticed how unusually tall for a street tree this individual is. How tall do you reckon it is? It reaches up beyond the fourth floor of the building beside it, a beautiful specimen, indeed.

Bonniuto’s delicatessen

We entered Chapel Market at the Penton Road end and eventually found Bonniuto’s Italian delicatessen and coffee house open. Inside, they had chairs and a sort of shelf for your coffee cup.

Coffee and fruit cake

They served us coffee and slices of what I am tempted to describe as wicked fruit cake. Perhaps this will become our Sunday coffee oasis.

Packing up their stalls

After that self-indulgent interval, we made our way home along Chapel Market. The remnants of the Farmers’ Market were clearing away their stock and dismantling their stalls. (See, I managed to include a market picture after all!)

We returned home where we will no doubt remain for the rest of today. Tomorrow starts a new working week and a new month. Its very name – November – makes me shiver in anticipation of winter cold. Here’s to the warmer days of spring and summer!

Though it was still early for our train, we left Costa and started back to the station.

The Arcade

We passed through this attractive shopping arcade, called simply The Arcade and dated 1905.

Bedford Station

Bedford Station will not win any prizes for beauty but it does at least serve its purpose. The station originally opened in 1859 but the current building dates from 1978.

Waiting…

On reaching the platform, we had an hour to wait for our train as we had tickets for the 17:40 train only. A member of the station staff took pity on us and tried to have us transferred to an earlier train. He was unsuccessful but we were grateful for his kindness.

Church of St Paul

While I would not describe Bedford as a handsome town, it has a few buildings of beauty and/or interest. I snapped the above and the following two more or less at random on our passage through the streets on our way to the station.

Aboard the train

The train arrived at last and we went aboard.

Sunset from the train
Photo by Tigger

Tigger took this photo of the sunset through the train window.

Arriving at St Pancras

The train stopped only twice en route (at Luton and Luton Parkway for the airport, if you are interested!) and we were soon pulling into St Pancras. It was Tigger who first noticed the anomaly.

The upper level

The anomaly was that our train arrived at the upper level of St Pancras instead of the “downstairs” lower level from which we had departed. Not that it mattered: one level is as good as another in your home station!

Aboard the 214

At the bus stop, it seemed that we had 17 minutes to wait for our bus but, just as we were resigning ourselves to this, a 214 turned up! It was crowded but we were lucky enough to find seats after the next stop. Within minutes we reached our home destination, bringing today’s expedition to a conclusion.

We left the house just after 8 am on this dull, wet morning. If we had not already bought the train tickets we might well mot have gone.

Aboard a 205

We caught a 205 bus to King’s Cross.

Approaching King’s Cross Station

The roads were already fairly busy. We left the bus and crossed to King’s Cross Station.

Entering St Pancras Station

Our destination, though, was its sister station, St Pancras, the more beautiful of the pair.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

We went to EL&N for a coffee and croissant breakfast.

To the “downstairs” platforms

As train time approached, we made for the platforms for Bedford. These are the platforms for the south (e.g. Brighton) snd are at the lower level. Tigger has the tickets in electronic form on her phone and buzzes us through the gates. We’re so modern! 🙂

Our train arrived

Our train arrived and…

Aboard the train
Photo to Tigger

…we went aboard.

A view from the train

The view from the train alternates between open land and built-up areas. The town of Bedford gives its name to its county, Bedfordshire.

Arriving

The train was late (do trains in the UK ever arrive on time?) but we arrived at last.

A street called All Hallows

We walked to the central shopping area.

Costa

We stopped off at Costa for coffee.

Carousel

Outside was a children’s carousel. This is an old form of entertainment that somehow keeps its appeal in modern times.

The sun shone

As we left, the sun put in a welcome appearance.

The bus station

We walked to the bus station and boarded a number 9B bus.

Aboard the 9B bus

And off we go to see some big old buildings.

Cardington Airship Hangars

We had come to see the Cardington Airship Sheds (usually known as the Airship Hangars) where the first British airships were built. They were fouded in 1919.

Hangar, close up

This close-up may give an impression of how massive they are.

Flat landscape

The land around here is very flat (and windy!) which is probably what you need when building and launching airships.

Waiting for the bus back

We then had to wait for the bus back on this open road. Fortunately, the bus was on time. (Is this a record?)

The Nazar

Back in town, we went for lunch to the Nazar Turkish restaurant. Disappointingly, they didn’t have lentil soup.

Bedford Market

Opposite was the market with its monument to prison reformer John Howard.

We next visited the Panacea Museum which records the times and activities of the Panacea Society. This was a group of women believing in the prophecies of one of their members, predicting the return of the Messiah and the coming of the Millennium. It would be boring to give a complete account of it here but you can read about it easily online. There follow a few random views of the exhibition.

Edwardian period ladies’ fashions

The kitchen range

Joanna Southcott’s box of prophesies

Joanna Southcott’s box of prophesies was to be opened by Church of England bishops when the time was right,

The bishops’ sitting room

As the bishops would have to spend the night on site, bedrooms and sitting and dining rooms were prepared.

Airships at the Higgins

We also visited the museum The Higgins Bedford. It was hosting a special exhibition about the building of airships entitled Airship Dreams: Escaping Gravity, It included a rather whimsical film which I don’t think did the subject any favours.

A quieter street

Leaving the museum, we walked along one of the quieter streets.

Costa again

We returned to Costa to await train time, where I will leave us for now and pick up the story later if there is anything to tell.

Today’s outing was my first visit to Tigger’s place of work since the start of the pandemic. It was a rather curious feeling seeing once familiar places again.

Aboard the 205

I took a 205 bus to Whitechapel.

St. Botolphe’s Street

I had to change buses at St Botolphe’s Street.

Aboard the 100

I boarded a number 100 bus to complete my journey.

Eastern Basin, St Katharine Docks

Before going to Tigger’s office, I renewed my acquaintance with the dock. As the light was already fading, there were no ducks, coots or cormorants on the water. To see them, I will need to come earlier in the day.

In the lift

Tigger had signed me in so I only had to collect a chit at reception and then go to the rather temperamental lifts. For once they behaved themselves and carried me to the required floor.

Western Basin, St Katharine Docks

We made our way to the Western Basin where there is a Café Rouge where I had booked a table online. It’s the modern way, don’tcha know? 🙂

Inside Café Rouge

We were early for our reservation but as they were not busy, it didn’t matter.

“Where would you like to sit?” asked the waiter.

“Somewhere warm!” we chorused.

Omelette and frites
Photo by Tigger

Café Rouge is not the best place to go for veggie dishes as choice is somewhat limited. We both had omelette and frites. The menu at Café Rouge is in a mixture of French and English.) I also had French beans with mine.

Crème Brulée
Photo by Tigger

We both had crème brulée as dessert.

In time for a 100

We then hurried through the crowds to the main road to be in time to catch a number 100 bus to start for home.

Aboard the 100

We were soon on our way though we still had to change buses to complete our journey. Although Tigger has to work tomorrow, this outing helped to break up the workaday week and provide a pleasant evening out.

This is the last day of our short visit to Manchester. Our train departs at 15:15 (or a quarter past three in old money) so we still have some time to spend in this city.

‘Bye, room

We showered, packed and left our pokey room for the last time. We checked out but left our suitcases for later.

Dull with rain

It’s a dull day and raining, not suitable for rambles on foot.

Walking to the station

Despite the rain, and because the free buses start running only at 10 am on Sunday, we walked to the station.

Arriving at the station

We had planned to have breakfast at Caffè Nero. They are just out of sight behind the bus shelter on the right.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

Today, there were enough plain croissants without resorting to raspberry ones which we are not keen on,

Crossing the Rochdale Canal

Afterwards, we went for a short walk, crossing the Rochdale Canal on the way.

Victorian buildings abound

There was once an important “basin” (canal dock) here. It is now filled in, leaving many buildings that might once have been warehouses and merchants’ offices, now repurposed in various ways.

Free bus stop, Piccadilly

We arrived back on the main road, called Piccadilly, where there is a stop for the free bus. Both the 1 and the 3 call here but the 3 is apparently not running at present.

Here comes the bus
Photo by Tigger

The bus arrived at last and…

Aboard the bus

…off we went!

Ask Italian

As we need to return to the hotel to recover our cases before going to the station for 15:15, we went for an early lunch. We went to Ask Italian. It wasn’t yet midday and we were the first customers though not for long.

Spaghetti lentil ragu

The spaghetti lentil ragu sounded good and we both chose it. It was good, too.

Tea with lemon
Photo by Tigger

We had tea to drink, not very Italian, perhaps, but we did at least have it with lemon!

Honeycomb cheesecake

We had honeycomb cheesecake as a dessert.

Queen Victoria

After lunch, we paid a visit to Queen Victoria who hangs out nearby.

Fountains

The fountains were founting, as they are apt to do.

Emmeline Pankhurst

We also visited Emmeline Pankhurst on her chair. I can’t help thinking that we need someone of her calibre still today. The process she started still has a long way to go.

Sackville Gardens

We walked back to the hotel and reclaimed our suitcases, then waited at the bus stop beside Sackville Gardens for the free bus, route 2, which carried us to the railway station.

Coffee at Caff Nero
Photo by Tigger

We settled at Caffè Nero to wait until it was time for our train.

We join our train

With a little time to spare, we made our way to platform 5, where we joined our train. It is due ti reach Euston at 17:27, a journey of two hours 12 minutes. Thus ends our short visit to Manchester.