We did our usual Sunday shopping and then had lunch. Later, we set out, heading north.

Aboard the 214

We caught a 214 bus which took us on the first leg of our journey.

Changing buses at St Pancras

We changed buses at St Pancras Station.

Aboard the 46

We transferred to a 46 which took us up the hill to Hampstead.

Hampstead High Street

We left the bus in Hampstead High Street which was very busy.

Flask Walk

We went along Flask Walk, which is quite well known, if only for the pub which is, of course, called The Flask.

Still Flask Walk

Beyond the pedestrian part we continued along what is an ordinary residential street (ordinary for Hampstead, that is) but is also a continuation of Flask Walk.

Lutton Terrace

We passed this interesting-looking lane, called Lutton Terrace, but did not explore it.

Wells & Campden Baths, 1888

Next came this historic building, the Wells & Campden Baths & Wash House. It no longer serves its original purpose, of course. I think it is now residential. The building is Grade II listed.

Burgh House

We came at last in sight of our destination, Burgh House. This early 18th-century, Grade I listed house serves the purposes of art gallery, museum and venue for cultural activities of all sorts.

Outside seating for the cafe

Notable among its attractions is its cafe. Indoors, this is situated in the basement but today they had also opened the outdoor seating area. This is sheltered as the image shows and is lit by strings of lights.

The cafe – rather small!

We went straight to the cafe. It has several rooms with seating for customers but the spaces are small and soon feel crowded.

A quieter moment
Photo by Tigger

Tigger managed to catch an uncluttered moment in the room where we sat.

Crumbly scones
Photo by Tigger

We chose to have a cream tea. This consists of scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. The scones were very crumbly and broke into small pieces when we handled them. Not that it mattered, they tasted just the same!

A last look back

We had hoped to go round the house after tea but we had left it too late and it was closing. We will come back another day – earlier!

Willow Road

Tigger proposed “walking off” our cream tea by going to the bus terminus at South End Green on foot. There we could catch a bus to start our journey back. This is Willow Road and, fortunately, our path was all downhill!

Willow Road continues

Willow Road continues past this triangle of greenery which I think is a corner of Hampstead Heath cut off by the main road that we come to at the end of this one.

Ernö Goldfinger’s house

At number 2, Willow Road, is the house designed and built by Ernö Goldfinger in the 1930s. The house is now in the keeping of the National Trust and can be visited. More information will be found here. The building actually comprises three houses in a unified form and the building is Grade II* listed.

Hampstead Heath Station

We passed Hampstead Heath Station and continued on to the bus terminus.

South End Green

We reached South End Green which is quite a busy area with shops and restaurants but we were intent on catching the number 46 bus to start our journey home.

Fox crossing the road
Photo by Tigger

While we were waiting for the bus, Tigger spotted something on the other side of the road – a fox! She managed to snatch a few photos, There was a lot of traffic but the fox eventually dashed across.

Made it!
Photo by Tigger

Despite the passing vehicles, the fox made it safely across and took temporary refuge under the outdoor tables of a nearbly restaurant.

Undecided what to do next
Photo by Tigger

The fox then seemed undecided as to what to do or where to go next. We were concerned that he would run into the road and be hit by a vehicle – many urban foxes die that way.

The fox runs off
Photo by Tigger

A couple of passers-by arrived and this scared the fox into action. He ran off and was lost to view.

Aboard the 46

The 46 duly arrived and we went aboard. It was fairly full so we had to sit right at the back. At least we had seats and later passengers joining the bus had to stand.

Aboard the 214

We changed buses in Kentish Town and had a 214 straightaway (no time for photos!). The roads were busy, as they are apt to be on Saturdays, and progress was sometimes slow, but we arrived home at last.

Tigger goes back to work tomorrow, sadly, but we have this evening to look forward to. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

Posted on November 7th 2021 and re-edited with additions and correction on Novermber 8th 2021.

St Mark’s in Myddelton Square
Photo by Tigger

We started the day in classic fashion by walking round Myddelton Square, heading for the deli.

Pale sunhine

The square was lit by pale and hazy sunshine, quite pretty in its way.

At the deli

It wasn’t too cold and we were able to take our coffee sitting outside the deli,

Angel Central “garden”

We passed through Angel Central where the “garden”, if that’s what it is, seems to be finished. It presents a rather cluttered appearance,

The rein-moose-deer

I took another look at the strange quadruped. It definitely has moose’s horns, though the rest of it isn’t moose: it’s a chimera.

Decorated escalator

Even the escalator was decorated though it probably looks better at night when I assume it is lit up.

Aboard the 19
Photo by Tigger

We next took a number 19 bus into town.

Regent’s Street

We left the bus and walked through to Regent’s Street.

Eros, Piccadilly Circus

We passed the famous statue of Eros atop his fountain in Piccadilly Circus. According to the legend, if you stand here long enough, you will eventually see everyone you know passing by.

Zédel

Our first call was here, Brasserie Zédel, a French-style cafe and restaurant. Sadly, there a few actual such establishments left in France.

1930s décor

The décor is styled in the 1930s and the interior is very picturesque. At street level is the cafe (shown above) while downstairs is the brasserie (or restaurant, if you prefer, though both words are, after all, French).

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

We ordered coffee and croissants, of course! As it was a little late for breakfast, they only had three croissants left, so we cut one in half to share.

The “Toilettes”

Though I usually gloss over such mundane topics as toilets, Zédel’s are so elegant that I think they are worth a photo. I like the old-fashioned taps and the top-quality paper towels that you drop into the holes between the basins after use.

Vintage motor car

Parked in front of Zédel was this vintage car, perhaps one of those about to take part in the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run tomorrow. Does this give a clue to the origin of the establishment’s name? Zédel is formed from the names of the lletters ‘Z’ and ‘L’. Could these refer to the Swiss car manufacturers Zédel founded in 1901 by Ernest Zürcher and Herman Lüthi? The brasserie’s own account of its history does not discuss the origin of the name, so this remains an open question.

Part of the Regent’s Street Motor Show

Currently happening is an event called the Regent’s Street Motor Show. It consists of a large number of cars of all ages drawn up along a closed-off street.

Vintage cars

Tigger wanted to see the show but it interests me not at all. One tin box on wheels is about as boring as another tin box on wheels, as far as I’m concerned. There were a lot of cars on show and a lot of people looking at them. I took the above photo “just to show willing”, as it were.

Beautiful horses

No prizes for guessing that these horses were my favourite exhibit (if indeed they were intended as an exhibit) though I felt a little sorry for them, having to put up with the attentions of passers-by.

Taking it seriously
Photo by Tigger

Some people take vintage motoring seriously, it seems, and turn up in period costume. I bet they nonetheless have their mobile phones in their pockets.

Christmas decorations begin to appear

Afterwards we went in search of a bus. Because streets had been closed off for the motor show, buses were diverted and some stops had been suspended. We eventually found buses running our way.

Aboard the bus

We took two buses but they delivered us safely home at the Angel. Having a second breakfast at Zédel in no way spoilt our appetite for a late lunch!

I’m meeting Tigger from work today as she wants to try a restaurant she has had her eye on for a while. I’m not sure it will be open but we shall see.

St John Street

I went to the stop in St John Street to catch a 153. The app we have on our phones told me the arrival times of buses and I reached the stop more or less when the bus did.

Aboard the 153

This bus is usually not crowded and makes good time. Unfortunately, it does not go all the way to my destination.

Beside All Hallows Church

I have to change to a number 100 at All Hallows Church. Again, the app informed me that one was about to arrive.

Aboard the 100

This bus was more crowded and I ended up in a seat where I couldn’t see the indicator board and as it was already dark outside I had to watch carefully to see where we were. Usually, a recorded voice announces the stops but today it wasn’t working.

Illuminated trees

Where I left the bus there were these illuminated trees. Whether these are all-year decorations or just for Christmas remains to be seen.

Illuminated gardens

Inside the office complex, the gardens too have been lit with lamps placed between the plants.

In the lift

Tigger had notified reception that I was coming and they issued me the chit you can see in my right hand. The lifts behaved themselves and sped me up to Tigger’s floor.

The reception area

All I had to do now was wait in the reception area of Tigger’s office until it was time to leave.

Waiting for a bus

Then we waited for a bus, happily not too long.

Maroush or Walid’s Kitchen?

A short bus ride brought us to our goal. It’s primarily a take-away food place but they also have a few chairs and tables where you can sit and eat. What’s it called? Ay, there’s the rub: the signage outside says it’s called Maroush but the receipt said it’s Walid’s Kitchen. Take your pick.

The visible kitchen

There are two kitchens, one immediately visible behind the plate glass screen and a second, connected to this one by a small window which you can see in the far wall.

Lentil soup and falafel
Photo by Tigger

The cuisine is “Mediterranean” and so there are plenty of veggie dishes. The portions were quite large.

Aboard the 205

All that remained now was to walk up the road to the bus stop and catch a 205 for the Angel. The streets were busy and progress slow but we arrived home at last. I’m not sure that we will visit Maroush/Walid’s Kitchen again but, for now, curiosity has been satisfied.

I managed to persuade myself to go out again today, despite the chilly grey conditions. I’ll show you where I went in a minute but first, an encounter with wildlife.

The recycling bins

Like most houses around here, ours has a set of recycling bins out in front. Yesterday, the recycling was collected and two of the bins are still empty.

As I left the house, I noticed a movement in the bin at top left: a rapid movement. Something small but active was running round and round, speedily going nowhere. It was a mouse. I guess that the mouse must have visited the bins before when they were full and it was easy to go in and get out. Today, in visiting the bin again, the poor mouse found himself trapped. My appearance in the scene was enough to scare him mightily.

This reminded me of an episode years ago when I found a mouse similarly trapped in a newly emptied dustbin. I should have done the obvious thing, tipping the bin on its side so that the mouse could run out. Instead, I put my hand down into the bin to catch the mouse and lift it out. I did managed to catch the mouse and was bitten for my trouble! Quite a reasonable response from the mouse’s point of view.

Today I was sensible and tipped the bin on its side. The mouse ran off into the undergrowth, none the worse for its adventure, I hope, and leaving me free to resume my walk.

Walking through Chapel Market

I decided to walk along part of Upper Street and see what there was to see, if anything. To reach Upper Street, I first walked through Chapel Market. This was quite busy even though are still not as many stalls present as there used to be before the pandemic.

Activity in Angel Central

I next went through the shopping and entertainment venue now called Angel Central. By all appearances, the open area is being transformed into a temporary garden with plants in tubs and objects such as large artificial toadstools.

Look, it’s a reindeer!

Together with a couple of security men, I stopped to take a look a the life-size replica of a reindeer. Does this mean Santa will be paying a visit, I wonder? (Actually,. those horns look more like those of a moose than a reindeer, don’t you think?)

Upper Street – always busy

I emerged into Upper Street which, as a main link to the North, has always been busy and has a picturesque history. Today, it is lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and coffee bars. If retail establishments and dining out are your bag, this is a good place for you.

Islington Green

I preferred to divert through Islington Green. It is part of what was once common land where the locals could graze their cattle. It is rumoured that beneath this peaceful surface lies a plague pit but I am uncertain as to the truth of that. Queen Elizabeth I, out riding, once had an uncomfortable encounter with ruffians hereabouts but with no further consequences.

Pigeons fluffed up against the cold

There were very few people on the green and the pigeons had taken over some of the empty benches. (I imagine the wood of the benches is kinder to their bare feet than the ground.) They were fluffed up against the cold and moving about slowly. They looked like I felt!

The Screen on the Green

The Screen in the Green is Islington’s longest running cinema, having been founded in 1913. It is also the only survivor of three cinemas that opened in the immediate area. The other two can still be made out but they have been diverted into other purposes. Should you be wondering, no, we have never attended a showing here.

The Gallipoli – gone

This photo won’t mean much to you unless you used to eat out in a picturesque Turkish restaurent called Gallipoli. It occupied the premises on the right where the restaurant name appears on a lighter (newer) background. The Gallipoli, it seems, has gone, its space absorbed by the business next door. They will be missed.

St Mary’s Church

I arrived at St Mary’s Church, whose spire, with its clock, is a local landmark.

Old Islington Post Office

Almost opposite the church is this handsome building which started life in 1906 as Islington’s post and parcels office. Many times I have come here to post or collect a parcel. No longer: it has been taken over by “developers” who have given it a silly name – Islington Square – and made it into a multipurpose site with exorbitantly priced luxury apartments (just what we need to solve Britain’s shortage of affordable housing). This Islington Gazette article will tell you more.

St Mary’s Church Garden

I turned aside into St Mary’s Church Garden, once the burial ground of the church but now a public park. Often crowded in warm weather, today it was empty, except for one dog walker and a mother and child, all of whom passed through without stopping.

Fine old tree

The garden is home to some fine old trees whose huge girth testifies to their great age.

A view from my bench

In fine weather, it’s hard to find a bench unoccupied but today all the benches were free. Just to be contrary, I sat on a bench for a while and enjoyed the quiet.

An unusually fine building

On the move again, I viewed this unusually fine building and, yes, I have photographed it more than once before but I think it deserves to be admired.

Unusual wooden frontage

I stopped to admire this pub’s unusual wooden frontage.

Islington Town Hall

Opposite is Islington Town Hall, built in the 1930s (before the current Borough of Islington was created in the 1965 reorganisation) and now a Grade II listed building. If it’s not as pretty as the old Finsbury Town Hall, it is at least still functioning.

The Post Office now

And here is what replaced the fine old Post Office, a “Post Office shop”, new style. At least we still have a post office: many that have been closed have not been replaced.

Compton Terrace Garden

I now came to my third and last garden of the day, Compton Terrace Garden. Named after the Marques of Compton, once the landowner, the terrace was begun in the early 1800s. The row of houses developed gradually and in 1823, it was decided to create a garden in front of the houses to screen them from the noisy main road.

The Union Chapel

From the garden one can see the Union Chapel. This was the first structure to be built in Compton Terrace. That was in 1805-9, though the chapel has been rebuilt on a grander scale since then. For a history of Compton Terrace, see here.

A disappointment for dog walkers

Like the gardens in Colebrooke Row, these gardens come in two parts, cut by the access road to the chapel. At the entrance to the second part is the above sign. The garden, which is enclosed with railings is intended as a area in which the children of Compton Terrace can play in safety.

A pleasant space

It is a pleasant space in which to linger, at least in warmer weather.

Where the garden ends

If you were hoping to leave the garden at the far end, you will be disappointed because it is closed off. I didn’t mind this as I saw that this provided a wildlife area with rotting wood for the smaller denizens.

“Bug hotel”

For example, this tree stump has been left as a “bug hotel”.

I now turned about to start my journey home. For this, I decided to take the bus.

Aboard the 30

Nearby was a bus stop where I boarded a number 30 bus that carried me quickly back to the Angel, ending today’s expedition.

It’s been a while since I visited our branch of the public library so I decided to go there today and see whether I could find something worth reading.

Walking down Mylne Street

There are several ways to go there and I chose the “pretty route” via Myddelton Passage. The weather was cloudy-sunny and and the air chilly at 6°C.

Myddelton Square

Although it was a slight detour, I went into Myddelton Square, a place I have become fond of since our lockdown local rambles. I don’t know what it’s like to live here but it always seems quiet and peaceful.

Too busy to talk

Although I didn’t see the two resident cats that we always look out for in the square, I did encounter this one. He seemed to be searching for something and was too busy to waste time on me!

Myddelton Square Gardens – deserted

I passed through the square’s gardens and found them deserted but for a lone dog walker. When we came here in warmer weather, most of the benches were occupied. Today, they were all empty.

Unusually tidy

The gardens were unusually tidy. Most of the fallen leaves had been swept up up put in a row of bags. The whole place looked tidier than I have ever seen it, no doubt in preparation for winter.

Myddelton Passage

I went through Myddelton Passage and, as I had not done so for a while, went to look for the badge numbers in the brickwork of the long wall.

Police officers’ badge numbers

You may recall that one section of this old brick wall is inscribed with early to mid-Victorian police officers’ badge numbers and, sometimes, other details. It’s something of a mystery why police officers were in the habit of dawdling here, long enough or often enough to inscribe their badge numbers into the bricks. There are several theories but no proven answer to the riddle.

The pub vine

I of course visited the vine that runs along the top of the wall round the pub garden. It had lost its summer luxuriance and the leaves are turning brown. The grapes were harvested long ago and no sign of them remains.

New River Head Estate

At the junction of Arlington Way with Rosebery Avenue, I photographed the gardens and one-time offices of the New River Head. The turreted building is now residential and the gardens are winter-tidy like Myddelton Square Gardens.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Here too, in Rosebery Avenue, is Sadler’s Wells Theatre. The original establishment was a “musick theatre” that opened in 1683. The most famous of its performers was arguably Joseph Grimaldi, “the father of clowns”, whose grave is still to be found in the park named after him. The theatre’s name comes from wells that were discovered during building work and which in the theatre’s heyday, provided water for spectacular performances involving boats floating in a tank.

Spa Green

I crossed through the small but pleasant Spa Green…

The Chess Board

with its fixed chess board and…

Victory provides a perch for pigeons

…its war memorial whose statue of Victory seems content to provide a perch for the local pigeons. From here, I walked through into St John Street.

The Dame Alice Owen

As I had not done so for a while, I photographed some of the local landmarks, including the oft-renamed pub, …

MDF&CT Association Trough

…the trough made by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association, originally sited elsewhere, and…

City University building

The City University campus building with its fine old clock that still works and chimes the hours.

Finsbury Library

I reached Finsbury Library and thought at first that it was closed. This is because the last time we were here, there had been a “welcoming committee”, making sure we wore masks and put gel in our hands while today it was quiet. It was only when the automatic doors let me in that I was sure it was open.

Inside the library

There were people in the library, sitting at tables or working at computers. Guess what: I was the only person wearing a face mask apart from one member of staff that I encountered (more about him in a moment).

The mechanical library assistant

I chose a few books and then had to check them out. I remembered from my previous visit that this is now done by a machine. It’s the black box with vertical blue light-strips in the above picture. I’m ashamed to say I got confused and put my card in the wrong slot. The aforementioned human library assistant rescued me and instructed me on what to do.

Through a housing estate

For the return journey, I started by taking the path beside the library that leads into a housing estate.

The portico

I passed through this portico which contains entrances to the tower block and..,

No-name garden

…entered this garden which doesn’t seem to have a name.

I met a squirrel

In the garden I met a squirrel. He didn’t come close but neither did he run away. He posed prettily for me, no doubt hoping I had food to share. Unfortunately, I did not.

Old Finsbury Town Hall

Making my way out to the street, I found myself behind Old Finsbury Town Hall. (The old Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury was merged with others in the 1965 reorganisation to form the present London Borough of Islington, making this and other town halls redundant.)

Rosebery Avenue

I emerged once more into Rosebery Avenue. The building on the left, behind the no-entry sign, is the turreted building shown in the picture above captioned “New River Head Estate”.

The Shakespeare’s Head

I retraced my footsteps, entering Arlington Way and Myddelton Passage beside the Shakespeare’s Head pub.

Back in familiar territory

I was soon back in familiar territory in Myddelton Square.

As for the books, I don’t know whether they were good choices or not. I will try them and see. The important thing was finding a way to get myself out of the house and into the outside world. I achieved this and that’s what counts.