The weather continues cold and grey. Whatever the thermometer may say, the air feels freezing cold. After a busy week at work, even the intrepid Tigger feels disinclined to face the inclement conditions.

Saturday

After lunch we went for a short walk with a predictable goal.

The Curvaceous Tree

We did at least walk round Myddelton Square where I photographed (yes, again!) the Curvaceous Tree.

The cat in the window
Photo by Tigger

As usual, we looked for the two cats who live in the square. We hadn’t seen either of them for quite some time but today we were lucky. One of the cats was visible, perched on furniture near a window. We merited a blank feline stare.

Arboreal filigree

I was struck by the filigree pattern made by the unadorned branches of the winter-bare trees in Myddelton Square Gardens.

River Street

We walked along River Street, named, as you perhaps remember, after the New River whose course runs along behind it. At the end of the road, in Amwell Street, our goal is visible: the red awning of Myddelton’s deli.

We have to wait

When we reach the deli, we found that there were other customers ahead of us and we had to wait a while. When our turn cane, we were greeted in friendly fashion, as always.

We returned quickly home with our coffee and stayed indoors for the rest of the day. The warmer days will return, I am sure, when we will feel more disposed to go out and about.

Sunday

Sunday is of course shopping day but today we enjoyed an added pleasure: a cooked brunch!

Grey skies over Pentonville Road

As we crossed over Pentonville Road, I stopped to take a quick photo while there was a gap in the traffic.

The Farmers’ Market

We reached Chapel Market and I noted that there were relatively few stalls active today. I had to walk some way along the street to take a photo.

Cafe Sizzles

Our first destination was here, a friendly, small cafe in Chapel Market called Sizzles.

Inside Sizzles

We were soon served and enjoyed our cooked brunch.

Stall belonging to a shop

The regular market was also thinly attended. Some of the shops also have stalls outside, perhaps as a way to compete with the market.

Many regulars missing

The market presented something of its usual appearance but a number of stalls we are used to seeing on Sundays were not present. Are stallholders taking a post-New Year holiday?

At the checkout

We entered Sainsbury’s and with two of us collecting the needed items we had soon finished our shopping. We then had a bit of a wait at the checkouts.

Walking through the market

When I walked through the market on the way to Mercer’s I found it much less busy than usual with fewer stalls and fewer customers at the stalls.

At Mercer’s

Mercer’s was not very busy either and I was served straightaway. We then returned straight home to put away the shopping and enjoy our coffee. We will spend the rest of the day at home. Tomorrow Tigger returns to work and I have an appointment that I am not looking forward to. Let’s hope we can relax for the rest of today.