I had two jobs to do this morning. The first was to collect a repeat prescription from Kings’ Chemists in Amwell Street and the second was to take a bag of DVDs to the Oxfam Bookshop. By the time I had returned home and put away my boxes of pills, it was lunchtime.

Waiting for a bus?

After lunch, I decided to make good my resolution to take a walk each day, even though I was tempted to let this morning’s activities fill that role. Bravely, I set out, passing the stop in Pentonville Road where this unusual customer was apparently waiting for a bus.

Sunshine at the Angel Crossroads

I paused at the Angel crossroads to take this photo showing what a pleasant sunny day it was. The sunshine even warmed the air somewhat.

Wedge-shaped building

I set off down St John Street and noticed this building on the corner of Rawstorne Street. Because of the angle between the two streets, the building is wedge-shaped. Such buildings always fascinate me, leaving me wondering what shape the rooms are. Are they wedge-shaped too? I have never managed to visit such a building and see for myself.

Where three streets meet

On the left of the photo is the Dame Alice Owen pub that I have often photographed before. Three streets meet here, Wynyatt Street (in the background, right), Spencer Street (in the foreground) and St John Street (off to the left). This creates an open space with trees, a telephone kiosk, a planter and a cattle trough (mostly hidden by the leftmost tree). Such open spaces are welcome in my view as they relieve the crowded feeling of built-up areas.

Relief over the doorway

Further down is a building now occupied by London Metropolitan University. Over the main door is this fine relief. It no doubt contains a message of some sort though I am unable to decipher it. For this photo, I had to stand in the road which is either brave or reckless, depending on your point of view!

Entrance, Islington Museum

Near the university campus is Finsbury Public Library. Beside it is this rather understated entrance. Going down 15 steps (or using the wheelchair lift) takes you to the basement under the library which is the domain of Islington Museum. I went down for a look.

The museum – general view

The museum has exhibits that are strictly local and as it’s quite small, we visit it only from time to time.

A 1930s kitchen

I am always intrigued by room settings (which is why the Museum of the Home is one of my favourites) and my attention was caught by this 1930s kitchen. Slightly incongruously, the table and chairs are miniatures, suitable only for small children. Perhaps that was all that would fit into what is quite a small space.

Milk delivery cart

A prominent position was given to this fine old exhibit. It is a cart used by Lloyd’s Dairy to deliver milk to their domestic customers. It was made in about 1914 and continued in use until 1947. Milk would have been ladled from a churn into measuring jugs and then tipped into the customers jug.

Lloyd’s Dairy

This is Lloyd’s Dairy today. The signage is still the same but it is currently a hairdressing salon.

All from the same house

This cabinet contains a multifarious collection of objects all dug up in the garden of the same house. Each shelf contains items from one century.

Gent’s swimming costume

How about this piece of natty gent’s attire? It is a 1900-vintage bathing costume, discovered in the lost property department of the swimming baths. (Sorry about the unavoidable reflections on the glass.)

Sekforde Street

I next ventured into a quiet road called Sekforde Street. It is a residential street (apart from the pub) but has a building that interests me.

Finsbury Bank For Savings

This bank was built in 1840 and, strangely, placed here in a rather out-of-the-way street. It was squeezed in between houses – literally, because it is numbered 18½!

Manager’s Entrance

It has a special entrance for the manager.

Sculpted door-knockers

This door has sculpted door-knockers, each showing the head of a different animal carrying a cub in its mouth. Identifying the species is left as an exercise for the reader 🙂

Pedestrian tunnel

Later, I ventured into this tunnel which provides a way through a solid row of buildings.

Hayward’s Place

It leads into this pedestrian-only street of houses called Hayward’s Place. It looks to be a pleasantly quiet place to live.

This seemed a good end-point for my walk and I started back. I thought about taking the bus but as the stop nearest us is closed because of road works, it seemed hardly worth it. So I walked.

The Sekforde

I passed along Sekforde Street again where I took a photo of the pub which is called The Sekforde.

Tubular seat

I walked up St John Street and noticed the seat (at least, I think it’s intended to be a seat) made of tubes. It doesn’t look very comfortable. (No, I didn’t try it.)

Spa Green

This time, I left St John Street and passed through Spa Green. It was looking calm and beautiful in the sunshine.

Feasting pigeons

Someone had left bread and the pigeons – both feral pigeons and wood pigeons – were enjoying the feast. The bread was in slices and the pigeons were tossing these in the air, hoping to break off pieces.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

I exited Spa Green into Rosebery Avenue and crossed into Arlington Way beside Sadler’s Wells Theatre. From here, I was soon home and quite glad to sit down for a rest!