Last Tuesday I received a phone call from the Council’s repairs division. The subject of the phone call was the builders’ scaffolding that was erected at the rear of the house to enable necessary repairs to a leak in the roof. The work was completed months ago and since then the scaffolding, though no longer needed, has remained in place.

I have mentioned before that certain departments of the Council seem to have adopted me as unpaid or honorary concierge of this building and from time to time ring to ask me to be on hand to admit sundry repairs teams and other agencies. So it was on this occasion: could I be on hand on Monday morning to admit the scaffolders coming to (finally) remove the scaffolding? Such a task is hardly onerous and I readily agreed.

Accordingly, this morning we rose from our slothful bed, had breakfast and prepared to face the day. In Tigger’s case, this meant hurrying off to catch a bus to the City and her workplace and for me, it meant sitting and keeping myself occupied while waiting for the scaffolders’ lorry to appear outside.

The scaffolders arrived at 8:42 and, as this team was not the team who installed the scaffolding, I showed the foreman the way to the rear of the house and their field of operations. Whereupon, to all intents and purposes, my work was done.

The scaffolders seemed a cheerful bunch. Throughout their work I could hear them chatting and laughing, to the accompaniment of a buzz of electric spanners unbolting the scaffolding clamps.

Some 50 minutes later, I heard the front door close with a thud and the scaffolders’ lorry drive off. It was 9:34. I could now cast aside my concierge’s persona and attend to other matters.

It so happens that this week is laundry week. Yesterday evening, Tigger gathered together an impressive pile of items to be laundered and packed them in the shopping trolley. Well, I say in but in fact there was more than could be packed away inside it and the overflow had to be stuffed into a pillowcase on the shopping trolley. This picture will show you the result:

The laundry

I might add that Tigger is a whiz at packing and I very much doubt whether the laundry, when I collect it, will be as neatly stowed as this.

Myddelton Square

We are currently using the laundry service of a dry cleaner’s in Arlington Way. I chose the quiet path there through Myddelton Square. It surprising how heavy a wheeled shopping trolley can be when loaded with laundry.

Angelz Dry Cleaners

I reached the shop, called Angelz, at last and deposited the load into their keeping. It would be ready tomorrow evening but as I have an appointment in the afternoon, I arranged to collect it on Wednesday.

Pret A Manger

Nearby, in St John Street, is a branch of Pret A Manger. Tigger suggested that after delivering the laundry, I should go there and reward myself with a cup of hot chocolate or perhaps soup. The idea of hot soup in this cold weather was definitely appealing.

Pret’s hot shelves

Freed of my burden of laundry, I tripped lightly round to St John Street and consulted the hot shelves at Pret. They had three soups, one of which, tomato, was today’s vegetarian option.

Tomato soup

Tomato is not my favourite but it was quite tasty, thick and hot. Just the job on a cold day.

After this pleasant interval I returned home where I must keep myself occupied until Tigger returns from the City around 7 pm.

Le Sang du Temps

I will spend some of that time reading. My current read (courtesy of Finsbury Library) is this 369-page crime thriller by Maxime Chattam, entitled Le Sang du Temps. In case you are wondering how an author with an English-sounding name comes to be writing in French, the answer is that Chattam is a nom de plume of Maxime Drouot. I have only just started reading the book so it’s too early to say whether it will turn out to be a good read.

Previous to this, I read L’Identité by Milan Kundera. Known best for his novel that was translated into English as The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera is a Czech writer who moved to France and wrote his later novels, including L’Identité, in French. I found this book rather strange, especially the last section where it is not clear (to me, at least) whether what is recounted actually happens, is a fantasy or is some sort of joint hallucination shared by the two main characters. Someone somewhere knows the answer, I expect, but I am not in any hurry to find out!

It’s another cold day today. When we set out for Sainsbury’s this morning, the forecast was for 1°C but with a “feels like” of -1°C and it certainly felt that cold out in the street. The sun was shining brightly and walking on the sunny side of the street helped a little.

The Farmers’ Market

At the risk of boring you with scenes I have photographed before, I will show you this small collection as I am uncertain whether we will venture out again today.

Chapel Market

The main market was operating too though the number of stalls present is still less than in the market’s pre-pandemic glory days.

Christmas trees appear

The one novelty is that the plant merchant, after a long absence, turned up today with a cargo of Christmas trees. This is a signal that the Christmas “season” has begun – commercially speaking, at least.

In Sainsbury’s, we each sped off to collect our individual lists of items. I had difficulty locating some of mine and had to ask staff to direct me. In the meantime, Tigger completed her list and sent me a text that she was already at the checkout. She seems to become faster each week. At this rate, she will one day finish before we have started!

Passing through the market

After Sainsbury’s, I hurried ahead to through the market to Mercer’s to buy our coffee. The market didn’t seem all that busy and many of the people were simply walking through and not buying anything. Perhaps this is just an expected seasonal downturn.

We returned home, tarried a while over our coffee and then put away our purchases. In a while we will have lunch and decide how to spend the rest of the day. I rather think we will be staying at hime but with Tigger, sudden inspiration is always on the cards!

Most Sundays start with shopping and so it was today. A quick check of what is left in the fridge and off we go!

Cloudy skies in Baron Street

It’s a day of clouds today with a nip in the air though it may warm up a little later.

The Farmers’s Market

The Farmers’ Market was out in force but not very busy, perhaps because we were slightly earlier than usual.

No takers for the outside tables

I noticed that the Millennium Cafe had fewer tables outside than previously and, even so, none were occupied. Business may pick up later, I suppose.

A quiet day for the market

When we reached Sainsbury’s, there was still a queue outside waiting for the doors to open. This branch has always had a bad reputation for not opening on time. I went off to find my items and then meet up with Tigger. I had a job finding her because she was further along the shelves than I expected: she seems to become quicker every time we do our shopping! When I walked through Chapel Market, heading for Mercer’s and our coffee, it too was quieter than usual. Maybe the onset of winter is making people sluggish.

Mercer’s

Mercer’s too was not its usual self. Though the display of food was as tempting as ever, there was only one person serving instead of the usual two and they had run out of loyalty cards. Am I right to see that as a bad omen? We shall see…

Regent’s Canal
Photo by Tigger

After lunch we set off on foot to catch a bus. We followed a path through the back streets which took us across Muriel Road (in case you want to look it up on the map 🙂 ) and along the Regent’s Canal,

Islington Tunnel

Here is one end of the Islington Tunnel that carries the canal through Islington Hill and under the Angel.

Caledonian Road

We came out at Caledonian Road where there was a stop for our bus.

The sun briefly appears

I was surprised how cold it was, much colder than this morning. I can well believe the forecast that there is snow on the way. The sun appeared briefly but made no difference to the cold.

Aboard the 259

We caught a 259, destination Edmonton Green. Unfortunately, we soon ran into delays and bus diversions because of the crowds attending a football match. Buses and roads were crowded, bringing traffic to a near standstill.

Police horses
Photo by Tigger

Along the route we encountered police vehicles and even horses. Some sort of dispute seemed to be in progress here.

Edmonton Green Bus Station”

After what seemed an interminable journey, we reached the terminus at Edmonton Green Bus Station.

Christmas decoration

We found this illuminated “bunny” Christmas decoration. I always thought that “bunnies” were Easter symbols. As it was now becoming late (because of the delays en route), we headed straight for a cafe for refreshments.

In the Lime Tree cafe

We went to the Lime Tree cafe which we had tried on another occasion. It is Turkish run so I had my favourite, Turkish tea.

Edmonton Green Market

Before starting back, we took a turn around Edmonton Green Market. Here are a few more photos of it. The market was closing for the day and many stalls were already shut.

Edmonton Green Market

After this we made for the bus station hoping that, as the match was still in progress, there would not be the same delays.

At the bus station

While we were waiting for our bus, we saw a representative of the local fauna and Tigger managed a quick snap.

Urban fox
Photo by Tigger

He was very hesitant and nervous of the traffic but managed to cross the road safely.

Aboard the 259

We caught the 259 again though in the opposite direction. And yes, the match was still in progress so we experienced no delays.

Finsbury Park Station

As the 259 would not take us home, we changed at Finsbury Park Station.

Aboard the 19

We transferred to a number 19 that would carry us back to the Angel,

Back at the Angel

Surprisingly quickly, we passed Highbury Corner and sped down Upper Street to the Angel crossroads and home!

It’s a cloudy and slightly chilly day but what can you expect in November? At least the promised snow has so far failed to materialise.

St Mark’s Church emerging

We started by walking round Myddelton Square and I noticed that the church is emerging daily more clearly from the thinning screen of foliage.

A cat at the window

One of the square’s cats was visible, seated at a window. He watched thoughtfully as we photographed him.

Accumulating leaves

Leaves are falling faster and parked cars soon collect a layer.

At the deli

We stopped for our usual coffee at the deli and bravely sat outside to drink it.

Colourful tree
Photo by Tigger

Walking to the bus stop, we stopped to admire this tree, colourful with a crop of berries.

Riceyman Steps

On King’s Cross Road, near the famous Riceyman Steps, we waited for a 63 bus.

Aboard the 63

It was a long wait because there are again disruptions to traffic flows. When the bus came, it was diverted. At one point, the driver didn’t know where to go. Happily, a passenger was able to tell him the way. Hence the title.

Crossing London Bridge
Photo by Tigger

We crossed London Bridge.

Somewhere in Peckham

The journey was quite long, especially with the diversions, but we eventually left the bus here in Peckham.

Coffee and cake
Photo by Tigger

Before doing anything else, we stopped off for coffee and cake. Self-indulgent? Definitely!

Aboard the 177

Then we were off again on another bus, this time a 177.

Somewhere in Greenwich

We left this bus in Greenwich.

Bookshop

Tigger had spotted a bookshop where they were having a sale and wanted to take a look. She did pick out a book though it was a gift for someone else.

Aboard the 199

We now boarded the 199 to wherever it was going.

Canada Water Library

We disembarked at Canada Water near the strikingly shaped public library..

Freshwater lake

Once part of London’s docklands, the freshwater lake is now a refuge for wildlife.

Family of swans

A family of swans came sailing over, hoping for food.

Black-headed gulls

A flock of black-headed gulls was milling about because someone had food to share.

Browsing the shelves

As it was chilly outside, we entered the shopping centre and went into store to warm up. We looked but didn’t buy anything.

Back on the 199

Then we were back on the 199 which carried us back to…

Greenwich

…Greenwich. As it was a little late for lunch we looked around and saw…

Noodle Time

…a Chinese restaurant called Noodle Time where we had eaten on a previous occasion.

Crispy seaweed
Photo by Tigger

I had crispy seaweed (cabbage really) and…

Wok-fried noodles with vegetables
Photo by Tigger

…Wok-fried noodles with vegetables and jasmin tea to drink.

Blackheath

We now started on the tortuous way home, first taking a 386 to Blackheath. (No photo as I think you’ve seen enough bus photos!)

At Blackheath, we changed to the single-deck 108. I’m showing you this one because…

Passing under the Thames

…it has a special trick: it passes under the Thames.

Aboard the 205

Having crossed the aqueous boundary between the “two Londons”, South and North, the 108 delivered us at Bow Church where, before I had time for any photos, we boarded a 205. (Worth a photo? Yes, I think so 🙂 )

This bus carried us through familiar territory (passing Tigger’s place of work) and brought us finally to the Angel and home, drawing today’s ramble to a conclusion.

This evening I met Tigger’s bus as it reached the Angel clock tower and we travelled together to Upper Street.

Entrance to Islington Square

We passed the old post office now redeveloped under the rather silly name of “Islington Square” and I took a photo of one of the entrances which was ablaze with lights though there was hardly anyone about.

Illuminated trees

Islington’s Christmas street lights are being installed which includes lighting up all the trees.

Gallipoli Again

We were having supper out and chose this Turkish restaurant. There used to be three “Gallipolis” but our favourite one has closed down so tonight we came to Gallipoli Again.

Inside Gallipoli Again
Photo by Tigger

The decor is quite colourful with many lights of different Turkish designs though not quite so pretty as our closed favourite.

Ceiling lights

This highly decorative set of ceiling lights was directly above our table.

Wall lights

This arrangement of lamps lit the wall beside our table.

Selection of mezze
Photo by Tigger

Once again I was disappointed that lentil soup was not on the menu. We chose a selection of dishes to share from the mezze menu (all safely vegetarian).

Main entrance “Islington Square”

Afterwards, we risked life and limb crossing a busy Upper Street to reach the bus stop. From here I took a quick photo of the illuminated balls hanging outside the main entrance to “Islington Square”.

Close-up of illuminated trees

I just had time before our bus arrived to take a closer photo of illuminated trees outside St Mary’s Church. The bus whisked us to our home stop, concluding this evening’s brief outing.