Walking down Pentonville Road
Photo by Tigger

We set out bright and early this morning, walking down to St Pancras Station where we were meeting a friend.

St Pancras in view

It was a clear day with cloudy sunshine but rather cold. Perhaps the sun will warm us up later.

King’s Cross Station

We passed in front of King’s Cross Station, styled rather differently from the Gothic splendour of St Pancras.

Walking through St Pancras Station

We entered St Pancras Station which was quite busy, partly because there was a Eurostar arrival.

Inside EL & N

We went to a coffee place called EL & N and grabbed the last available booth where our friend joined us.

The lower level

St Pancras Station has platforms on three levels. We descended to the lower level.

The train for Croydon

There we boarded a train for Croydon.

Blackfriars Station
Photo by Tigger

The train paused at Blackfriars. The station is situated on the railway bridge over the Thames, giving interesting views along the river.

“Fifty-P building”
Photo by Tigger

We arrived at Croydon where Tigger photographed this landmark, popularly known as the “Fifty-P building” because of its facetted design (i.e. like a pile of 50p coins).

Caffè Nero

We stopped off for coffee at a branch Caffè Nero.

Hospital of the Holy Trinity

We passed by these famous old almshouses, officially called the Hospital of the Holy Trinity and founded 1596.

A glimpse inside

A gateway gives a tantalising view of the central courtyard.

Street msrket

We saw the street market but did not venture in just yet.

Baptist chapel, 1866
Photo by Tigger

This Baptist chapel, though it seems “old” to us, is “young”, by nearly 300 years, compared to the almshouses.

Matthew’s Yard

For lunch, we came here, to a place called Matthews Yard, though it is under cover. The food is Vegan but I prefer to reserve judgement on it.

Aboard a tram

Afterwards, we went for a ride on the tram. I think I have already said that we like trams!

The tram

This is the tram we rode on (and went back on!).

The street market

We explored the street market that we saw earlier. It was very busy, showing that it is popular with the local community.

Fruit stall

This is one of the colourful stalls.

Old department store

I always look out for this Victorian era department store, built in 1894 for Grants and now a Grade II listed building,.

One for the road

We popped in another branch of Caffè Nero for a last coffee before starting for home.

Aboard the train for London

On our return to the station we soon had a train to London, though only to London Bridge.

Arriving at Blackfriars

At London Bridge, we changed to a train for St Pancras. Here we are arriving at Blackfriars, the previously mentioned station on the Thames bridge.

Aboard the 214

At St Pancras, we left the train to travel on to Bedford without us. We left the station and caught a 214 bus which carried us home to the Angel. I, for one, was glad to arrive home and be able to rest from an active day. I am looking forward later to supper and a restful evening at home.