Sun shining through clouds
Claremont Square

It’s another cloudy and cold day but the gale-force winds have abated, I’m glad to note.

Arriving at the third floor

Once again, we made our way through wind-littered streets to Safestore and took the lift to the third floor where our lock-up is situated.

As we did yesterday, we again hauled out the folding chair (which, fortunately, is a two-seater) and started work sorting through bags and boxes. Once again, we used the three categories Dump, Shred and Donate to Charity Shop. (There is, of course, a hidden fourth category, Keep, consisting of items that stay more or less where they are.)

Progress? Not obvious…
Photo by Tigger

At the end of this morning’s session, our storage space looked like the above, though we did take three bags (two of rubbish, one for the charity shop) with us. Progress of a sort.

Signs of storm damage

Afterwards, we made our way to Amwell Street for coffee. There were signs everywhere of the high winds. Rubbish left out for collection had been scattered and large quantities of tree branches lay about, the above being a particularly noteworthy example.

Fallen aerial

Someone has lost an aerial to the gale.

The Curvaceous Tree
Photo by Tigger

As I was carrying the two cups of coffee home, Tigger photographed the Curvaceous Tree for me. I was happy to see that it has survived the storm, seemingly undamaged.

The new shopping trolley

After lunch, we headed back to Safestore, taking our new shopping trolley on its maiden voyage. (You may recall that the old one broke under the strain of carrying boxes to the store.)

We spent some time in the store and collected some bags of rubbish to dump. Then we felt it was time to take another break.

Plus ça change…
Photo by Tigger

Can you see the difference? It’s beginning to feel like the French proverb “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (“The more things change, the more they remain the same”).

Storm damage in Penton Street

From Safestore, we walked into Penton Road where we photographed this example of storm damage, a demolished fence.

Chapel Market

We entered Chapel Market in search of somewhere to have coffee.

Costa in Chapel Market

We ended up at Costa Coffee, where we ordered…

Coffee and cake
Photo by Tigger

…coffee and cakes – surely a just reward for our labours!

From Chapel Market, we returned home. We spent a while sorting and gathering some more items to take to the store. Then we headed to Safestore for our third session of the day.

Tier hire bicycles
Photo by Tigger

On the way, we passed this group Tier hire bicycles. During the storm, they had fallen over. Today, representatives of Tier have restored them to the vertical, an indication that the storm is over.

Store at end of day
Photo by Tigger

The photo shows our storage area at the end of today. Can you see any signs of progress? No, neither can I, but I am persuaded that there has been progress. A fair amount has already been binned or put into the recycling and even larger amounts handed in at the charity shop. On the debit side, we have added some more items from home!

In fairness it should be said that most of the contents of the boxes and bags comprises items that are to be kept and so a substantial amount will remain and be transferred back home when the electrical inspection has taken place. My guess is that the difference will be barely noticeable though I would be happy to be proved wrong.