This morning we performed our usual Sunday shopping run to Sainsbury’s and returned home for lunch.

Aboard the 476

Later – much later – we decided to go out again. It’s a cold and dull day, not very inviting to long walks. We started by catching a bus to King’s Cross Station.

It has rained

It has rained quite heavily, as witness the large cuddles, but the rain held of during our walk.

King’s Cross Station

We passed round the front of King’s Cross Station.

The Lighthouse

I stopped to photograph the Lighthouse. Long ago – I don’t when – the business occupying the building erected the figure of a lighthouse in the roof as an advertisement. Since then it has become a well loved landmark and when the block of buildings was refurbished recently, the lighthouse was reinstalled in its place of honour.

170 years of history

Inside the station, the figure 170 has been erected in lights in anticipation of the station’s 170th birthday in October next year.

Christmas Tree

The inevitable Christmas tree is also on display. This is the station’s departures hall and it was busier than I have seen it: where were all these people going, I wonder?

Granary Way

We exited the station and walked up this pedestrian road called Granary Way. The trees were lit up but don’t show up well in the photograph because the sky was still fairly bright.

Regent’s Canal and Granary Square

We reached the Regent’s Canal and, on its other side, Granary Square. This was where, in the heyday of freight trains, grain was unloaded and stored in warehouses before being distributed to feed London. Today, it is an arts and entertainment district.

Regent’s Canal

We crossed the canal by one of the bridges.

Illuminated pyramid

In the square, this illuminated pyramid with cyclically changing colour combinations was attracting attention as it’s accessible to the public to explore. Called Temenos (a Greek word indicating a sacred space or a region set aside for special purposes), it was made by Liliane Lijn and a typically self-indulgent piece of artspeak deacription will be found here.

Building continues

There is still plenty of building going on in the area but I very much doubt whether this is doing anything to supply London’s urgent need for affordable housing.

One of the sparkly trees

We walked back down towards the station, looking for somewhere to have coffee but everywhere was crowded. I tried to photograph one of the sparkly trees but was only partly successful.

Entering St Pancras Station

We reached St Pancras Station, which is just opposite King’s Cross, but our favourite coffee place there was also packed out.

Joe and the Juice

We ended up sitting at the back of Joe and the Juice – not as our first choice but faute de mieux.

Coffee and brownies
Photo by Tigger

We had coffee and chocolate brownies.

King’s Cross & St Pancras Station

Afterwards, we made our way back towards King’s Cross by walking through the tube station.

King’s Cross Station from St Pancras

By the time we emerged into the street, night had fallen and electric lights had taken over from daylight. It had also started to rain again.

The bus was crowded

We boarded a very crowded number 30 bus. (In case you are wondering, yes, that is me on the right – I took the photograph over my shoulder.)

Reaching our home stop

Here the bus is reaching our home stop. This was only a short outing but given the relatively late hour and the weather, it was enough. Never mind Christmas, I’m looking forward to spring and warmer conditions!