The three library books that I borrowed from the library (see Visiting Finsbury Library) were not a great success. I read one which was (like the curate’s legendary egg) good in parts, found that I had already read one and abandoned the third, a historical novel, as it did not appeal to me. Today, then, I visited the library again, hoping to be more successful in my choice.

Wild Kong
Richard Orlinski

It was a beautiful sunny day, as you can perhaps see from this across-the-road snap of Wild Kong. I haven’t photographed him for a while and didn’t want him to feel neglected 🙂

Claremont Square and reservoir

There are several ways to go Finsbury Library and I chose to take the “pretty route”, avoiding main roads as far as possible. In the above photo you can just about make out Wild Kong again in the distance.

Dog wearing a hi-vis jacket

Although the sun was quite warm, the air was still cold and people were wisely dressing appropriately, including this dog with his hi-vis jacket.

Myddelton Square

Even if the air temperature is low, sunshine makes everything seem more cheerful as this picture of Myddelton Square shows (well, to me, at any rate).

As I approached the church I could hear an annoyingly loud noise made by a machine, spoiling the peaceful atmosphere of the square.

Blowing leaves

I guessed that it was a gardener using a mechanical leaf-blower in the gardens and so it turned out. While I can understand that they want to keep the paths clear (if you slipped on wet leaves and broke your leg you might decide to sue the Council), doing it this way seems rather a fatuous exercise as the wind simply blows them back onto the path again.

Tall trees in Myddelton Passage

Walking through Myddelton Passage, I stopped to admire these beautiful tall trees. The leaves are turning brown and the trees will soon be bare. Nature’s rhythms cannot be denied but I am looking forward to spring when the trees become freshly green again.

The pub vine – past its best

The pub vine too was looking rather sorry for itself. Does it remember its glory days with bunches of ripening grapes?

Rosebery Avenue

I crossed Rosebery Avenue where the low sun was shining becomingly through the foliage of the trees.

Spa Green

I entered Spa Green whose many-coloured trees were also full of sunshine.

St John Street

A gate in Spa Green gives access to a little road called Lloyd’s Row which, in turn, leads out into St John Street, once a main thoroughfare for cattle being driven to their deaths in Smithfield Market. Happily, no livestock makes that ominous journey today though I doubt whether their killing is any kinder now than then.

Clock tower, City University

I soon reached the campus building of City University with its beautiful old clock that still faithfully and musically rings the quartes and counts out the hours.

Finsbury Library

Not far from the clock tower building is the library. Above the door in large 3D moulded characters, it has its address where one would expect to see the library’s name. A glance, though, suffices to see that this is indeed a library.

Inside the library

Once inside the library, my first job was to return the books I had borrowed. To do this meant confronting the mechanical library assistant. You use the touch screen to indicate “Return Items” and place your books in the cubby hole. Their details appear on the screen, showing they have been returned and you are asked whether you want a receipt. I said yes. The computer is no doubt trustworthy but there’s no harm in making sure!

I then had to choose some books. I again chose three then sat down to have a look at them, just to see whether they seemed my sort of book. I don’t look at the beginning of the book because that’s where the author is doing his/her best to draw you in. I look at some random page in the middle, catching the author in an unguarded moment, as it were.

Back to the electronic library assistant

Then I had to deal with the electronic library assistant again. This time I pressed “Borrow Items”, put my books in the hole and my card in the slot. I watched while the books’ details were catalogued in the screen and said “Yes” to a receipt. The receipt has the return date on it because, of course, there is no longer anyone to stamp this inside the books. (Technology has disadvantages as well as its benefits.)

Whiskin Street

To start back, I entered a short road called Whiskin Street. It is named after a Mr John Whiskin who leased the land in 1823 in order to build on it.

Gloucester Way

I turned right into Gloucester Way (pronounced “gloster”, remember), which led me once more to…

Spa Green

…Spa Green, with its war memorial, beloved of the resident pigeons.

St John Street

This time, I walked up to the top of Rosebery Avenue and turned into St John Street, making my way home from there.

Now all I have to do is read those books! Let’s hope this choice turns out more successful than the last one.