The weather continues mild, I am glad to say, and as my books are due back at the library soon, I decided to go today in case the cold returns as it is apt to do.

The new bike on the block

In Claremont Square I noticed these four bicycles parked side by side, suggesting that they had been placed here by the company that owns them. Ever since the “Boris Bikes”, the original hire bikes in London, first appeared, a number of companies have muscled in on the act and new ones seem to turn up every few weeks. I wonder that the market for hire bikes is not already over-subscribed as more and more bikes with new liveries are dumped in our streets.

A Christmas Wreath

En route to the library, I walked round Middleton Square, for no better reason than that I like to do so, and here spotted a Christmas wreath, the first I’ve photographed this year. Christmas seems to have crept up on me by stealth this year and I’ll probably miss the last posting date for my Christmas cards (yes, again!).

Myddelton Square Gardens

I cut through the square’s central garden to see how it, and its inhabitants, were faring. Apart from two dog walkers, I was alone, so unlike the heady days of summer when it was hard to find an unoccupied bench. There was lively chatter in the tree tops among the birds. I made out magpies, parakeets and crows – especially one that we always recognise because he had an unusually low-pitched voice.

Myddelton Passage

I walked though Myddelton Passage, another favourite place. I expect you can guess what I was looking for!

The pub vine

Yes, I was looking for the pub vine. It looked very sad, all brown, except for a few green leaves still managing to survive, so different from its summer exuberance. All the bunches of grapes are long gone, of course, and not a trace of them remains. I look forward to seeing the vine burst into life again next year.

Winter tree

I crossed Rosebery Avenue and entered Spa Green, where this tree seemed to me to epitomise winter: standing naked with its withered robes of summer glory scattered on the ground at its feet. (Do trees have feet? Ed. Oh, shut up! ST)

Spa Green

This small park, first opened to the public in 1895, is pleasant even on a dull day like today.

War Memorial and pigeons

Even the pigeons were quiet, some of them perching on the statue of winged victory as is their wont.

Bench with flowers

I noticed that there were flowers attached to this bench. It is one of those dedicated in memoriam to a loved one and I guess the flowers must have been put there on the anniversary of the person’s death on November 17th.

From Spa Green, a gate opens into a cul de sac call Lloyd’s Row which, in turn, leads into St John Street and thence to Finsbury Library.

Finsbury Library

Finsbury Library is quite small but has a useful local history department that I have found helpful in the past. I suspect, too, that students from the local university come here as it offers a quiet place to work where they can use their computers.

“Community Languages”

As usual, I went to the Community Languages section and, in particular, the books in French. There aren’t many, just the top shelf to the right of the divider marked “French” and the first few in the second shelf. So I start at the beginning on the left and work my way through, skipping the books I’ve read, and checking the others, picking out “possibles” to take home. What will I do when I have read them all? Try the other libraries in the borough!

Northampton Square Gardens

On the way home, I paid a quick visit to Northampton Square, named after the Marquess of Northampton who originally owned the estate but presented it to the Vestry (forerunner of the modern borough) in 1886. It has a central garden with a bandstand.

Plaque to the Marquess of Northampton

On the wall of a nearby building is a plaque, dated 1904, to the memory of the Marquess who died in 1903. It reads “This tablet was erected in loving memory of William Compton, fifth Marquess of Northampton, KG, by his London tenants and friends.”

Hopeful squirrel

In the gardens, I was accosted by a hopeful squirrel. Unfortunately, I had nothing to give him which made me feel rather mean. I must remember to take nuts with me when I go out.

Lloyd’s Row

I returned the way I had come, walking back up Lloyd’s Row to Spa Green.

Old New River Head Offices

From Spa Green, I photographed this building with its neat little turret that you can also see in the previous photo. The building was once the headquarters of the New River Company but is now residential.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

I crossed Rosebery Avenue and entered Arlington Way which runs beside Sadler’s Wells Theatre. I wonder what the original “Musick House” of 1683 looked like or, for that matter, the theatre in which Joseph Grimaldi performed.

The Curvaceous Tree

My last photo, before making for home, was of the Curvaceous Tree that I came to know and love from our local rambles during lockdown. Divested now of its summer regalia, it stands revealed in all its curvaceous intricacy. Do trees long for summer, as I do, or do they enjoy the restful months of winter as we enjoy rest at the end of a busy day? There is no way for me to know the answer unless by some quirk of fortune, I eventually come back to life as a tree!