Our day started, as all good days do, with breakfast.

Busy Upper Street

We set out along a busy Upper Street, dodging the crowds as best we could. At least the sun was shining, giving a cheerful atmosphere.

Gallipoli

Our destination was Gallipoli, the Turkish restaurant in Islington, not the peninsula in Turkey.

Sunshine inside Gallipoli
Photo by Tigger

They offered us a table at the rear of the restaurant where the ceiling was open to the sky, letting in the sunshine. We were happy to agree. We both had a Turkish breakfast (substituting extra halloumi in place of sausage). I had Turkish tea and Tigger had ayran.

Old Post Office

Afterwards, we crossed the road to the bus stop opposite the lovely old Post Office, now “redeveloped” under the silly name of “Islington Square”.

Aboard the 43

We caught a number 43 bus going to London Bridge Station.

London Bridge Bus Station

At London Bridge Bus Station, Tigger looked around at the available buses but saw nothing to inspire her.

London Bridge Walk

We crossed the bus station and followed a passage called London Bridge Walk.

London Bridge

This led us to the beginning of London Bridge itself. (Remember, London Bridge is not the one with towers. That is Tower Bridge. So many people – even some Brits, I am ashamed to say – make that mistake.) If you look carefully at the above photo, you will see that all along the bridge, the pedestrian path is separated from the roadway by vehicle-proof barriers. These were put in place after the 2017 terrorist attack against pedestrians crossing the bridge.

Somewhere in Brixton

At the bus stop on the bridge we caught a number 133 bus (we had to sit at the back so no photo!) which carried us to Brixton, a district of South London.

The Ritzy Picturehouse

Here we entered the Ritzy Picturehouse, not to watch a film (though with 4 screens the Ritzy offers plenty of choice) but…

Inside the Ritzy’s cafe

…because it has a cafe where we could take a coffee break.

We then went walking, taking note of anything of interest such as the building above and…

…this one. I have not had time to research them so cannot say anything about them other than that they are interesting and aesthetically pleasing.

Brixton Covered Market

Brixton has a market that was open today. It has an open-air section (that we did not visit) and a picturesque covered market, dating from the 1920s and 1930s.

Reliance Arcade

The market also includes the Reliance Arcade. This is very narrow and as there is no room for customers in the tiny shops or stalls, they congregate in the passage, making in difficult for others to walk through. I hate to think what would happen if ever there was an emergency such as a fire or bomb alert.

Brixton Town Hall

We walked up Acre Lane, passing the above building, opened in 1908, which is known to many as “Brixton Town Hall” when, officially, it should be called Lambeth Town Hall after the borough to which it, and Brixton, belong.

Trinity Homes

We passed these almshouses, Trinity Homes, dating from 1822. They are now Grade II listed.

Tiring Acre Lane

Acre Lane is quite long and there didn’t seem a lot of interest to be found in it but perhaps that was because I was beginning to feel tired from our long walk. I was in agreement with Tigger when she proposed catching a bus back.

Aboard the 135

We caught a 135 bus which carried us all the way back across the Thames to more familiar realms.

Bishopsgate

The bus deposited us in Bishopsgate, near Liverpool Street Station, in the City.

Arcade

We walked along the arcaded pavement to a certain oasis, familiar to Tigger who comes here often on work days.

Black Sheep Coffee, Bishopsgate

In other words, the local branch of Black Sheep Coffee, where we drank coffee and rested.

In Black Sheep Coffee

We sat outside on the terrace as the sun had now warmed the air so that it felt almost like a summer’s day. Will this good weather last through the bank holiday?

Aboard the 205

Leaving Black Sheep, we caught a number 205 bus (the bus that brings Tigger home from her workplace) back to the Angel and home.

Monday is May bank holiday. Will the weather behave? We shall have to wait and see and decide our activities according to the weather on the day. ‘Twas ever thus, in these sea-girt islands.

Periodically, I need to replenish my stock of batteries for my hearing aids. They are supplied by the Audiology Department of the Whittington Hospital.

I always used to visit the hospital and pick up my supply in person but then came the Covid-19 pandemic when such visits were not permitted. Instead, I would send a stamped and self-addressed envelope with a covering note to the Audiology Department and they would send back the envelope with the new batteries inside.

The time has now come to put in a request for batteries and I decided that I should start visiting the hospital again rather than sending a letter. The easiest and quickest way to reach the Whittington is to take the tube, another thing that I have not done for quite a while.

The busy streets at the Angel

Off I went into the busy streets of the Angel. Happily, the sun is shining and there is no hint of rain.

Angel Underground Station

The local tube station occupies a site in Islington High Road. The station was rebuilt some years ago and the entrance was moved here from its old position in City Road. Google Maps shows the location correctly but Apple Maps still shows it at the old location – wake up, Apple! (Although the district is called The Angel, London Underground, as it traditionally does, drops the definite article and calls the station simply “Angel”.)

The long escalator

Angel Station has two escalators, a long one and a shorter one. The long one is the longest escalator on the tube system and is the second longest in the UK.

Busker emplacement

On the landing between the two escalators we find this emplacement for a busker. Buskers used to infest the Underground system until London Underground banned free access and established a number of spots where they were allowed to perform. If you want to busk on the Underground now, you have first to apply for a licence and undergo an audition.

On the northbound platform

There are now two separate platforms at Angel Station, the northbound and southbound, respectively. There used to just a single island platform with trains arriving either side of it. As the station became busier and busier and the island ever more crowded, there was a real risk of people being jostled onto the tracks. The station was rebuilt to eliminate that problem.

Aboard the train-

It was now after 10 am and the rush hour was over so the train was not too crowded and I found a seat without difficulty. At Camden Town, north of Angel, the line divides, one branch running to Edgware and the other to High Barnet. The latter is the one I must take.

Leaving the train at Archway

I must travel 6 stops to Archway Station.

Up the escalator to the exit

On leaving the train at Archway, you have first a normal staircase of 20 steps to negotiate and then you ride the escalator up to street level.

Outside Archway Station

The entrance to Archway Station is smaller than the one at the Angel. It seems almost lost among the shops and cafes especially as there is now a large fruit stall in front of it, partially hiding it from the street.

Girdlestone Park

The tube station is in Junction Road. I walk a little way along this and turn right up Vorley Road until I come to Girdlestone Park which is part of the Girdlestone Estate.

A path through the estate

There is a path through the park (running behind the red and white bollard in the photo) which also leads between buildings of the estate into Magdala Avenue where the hospital resides – assuming that it is open. On one occasion I find it closed and had to go on a detour.

The oath is open

Yes, the path was open. It leads beside utility buildings and passes under a pedestrian bridge to the avenue.

The Whittington Hospital

I arrived in Magdala Avenue and the Whittington Hospital. The name of course refers to Sir Richard Whittington (the “Dick Whittington” of the nursery rhymes and tales). The hospital has a black cat as its symbol and you might be able to make it out in the photo, above and to the right of the entrance.

On entering, you first encounter a short escalator and staircase. Next, I have to go up to the fourth floor. I have two choices: take the lift or climb the stairs. Guess which I chose.

Resting on the fourth floor

I took the stairs. There are six flights of eleven steps each, or 66 steps in all. I used to trot up these without a second thought but today, when I reached the top and found some seats, I sat down for a rest. I consoled myself with the thought that going down would be easier.

I went to the Audiology Department office and collected my batteries. Then I went back to the staircase. And yes, going down is easier!

Girdlestone Park

I went back down the path and then through Girdlestone Park. In addition to greenery with benches, it also has a children’s playground and a basketball court.

The Archway

Now, you can’t go to Archway (the district) and not take a photo of the Archway (the road bridge), well, can you? It’s a way up the road and so I could take only a distance shot but you’ll find a better photo elsewhere (for example, in Briefly in Muswell Hill).

The Archway Tavern

For good measure, I also photographed this handsome Victorian pub (built is its present form in 1888). The clock, which, curiously, is partly hidden behind decoration, is not working, unfortunately.

Old Archway Hospital

I also photographed this large building, not all of which I could squeeze into the frame. In my first draft of this post I was unable to identify the building but can now give the following information:

The building is old Archway Hospital (though it had several different names at various times), opened in 1879 and functioning as a hospital until 1980. From 1998 to 2013, University College London and Middlesex University ran it jointly as a campus for teaching and research. The complex has now been sold for redevelopment into luxury apartments. For more details see Lost Hospitals of London.

Down the Archway escalator

Then I made my way back to the tube station and took the escalator down to the depths where the platforms are.

The train arrives

I boarded a train for (the) Angel and travelled the six stops to my home station.

Up the Underground’s longest escalator

Then I rode the Underground’s longest escalator up to the street from where I was soon home.

The batteries

And here, finally, is what all the fuss was about: my new supply of batteries. (I have hidden the manufacturer’s name so as not to be accused profiting from advertising! 🙂 ) If I’m careful, these will last up to 12 weeks. Then, another trip to the Whittington will be required!

Easter is now behind us (at least for this year) and so this weekend is a normal weekend like most of the others.

Cafe tables outside

On our way to do our usual Sunday shopping at Sainsbury’s, we noticed that this cafe had put tables outside in the street. Surely a sign that spring has finally arrived!

Sainsbury’s was busy

Sainsbury’s was quite busy, more so than usual on a Sunday morning. The above photo, taken near the checkouts, will give some idea of it.

Chapel Market

Chapel Market also presented a lively scene, more so than on previous Sundays. Is this due to the sunny weather or is it a sign that we are finally recovering from the effects of the pandemic?

Through the window at Mercer’s

I called in at Mercer’s for coffee as I usually do. There were customers ahead of me and I had to wait patiently for my turn so I had time to take a photo through the window.

The “Cutting Bar”

After lunch we had an errand to run – Tigger needed to have her hair cut. Usually, Tigger and I have our hair cut both at the same time but as I had mine cut a few weeks back, she alone came under the scissors today. I hope we can resynchronise our haircuts again as it’s convenient – as well as fun – to go together. We went to the “Cutting Bar” in White Lion Street and I sat in while Tigger was shorn.

Chapel Market, top end

After the hair cut, we walked into Chapel Market in search of coffee. We visited the top end of the street, where the Farmers’ Market had taken place in the morning. All signs of it had disappeared except for a couple of stalls still being dismantled.

The Copper House

For our coffee we went to a coffee shop called the Copper House that we had visited on a previous occasion.

Inside the Copper House
Photo by Tigger

We sat inside and I tried to take a photo of the interior but couldn’t get a good angle with my camera. Tigger’s camera has a wide-angle lens which she used for the above.

Coffee for two
Photo by Tigger

We had our usual coffees, a latte for Tigger and a black americano for me. (No croissants, in case you are wondering, as we had had lunch a little while before!)

After coffee we returned home where we shall stay now for the rest of the day. A new week starts tomorrow but I’ll face that when it comes.

Pause-café

This morning we had business in Goswell Road. While there, we stopped off at Jimmy and the Bee for a “pause-café” and croissants.

King Square Gardens

Then we went for a ramble, starting by walking through King Square Gardens.

Modified building

We we were intrigued by this building whose ground floor and doorway contrasted with the upper floors. (For example, the ground-floor windows are arched unlike those on upper floors.) We speculate that an old building has later had floors added to it in a more modern style.

Telephone exchange

This old telephone exchange caught our attention, especially as it seems still to be in use as such.

Old pub

Another “catch”, in Dingley Road, was this Victorian era pub, now residential. It used to be known as the Princess Alice but those glory days are now gone for ever.

Drinking fountain

We spotted this old drinking fountain installed in a wall. It had been erected long, long ago by the Metropolitan Cattle Trough and Drinking Fountain Association. The inscription was now virtually illegible.

Ironmonger Row Baths

We passed the Ironmonger Row Baths, built in 1931 and still operating, though differently, meeting modern needs.

Original door

The baths now boast a modern glass-door entrance but the originals are still in place and are more elegant (in my view!).

St Luke’s Church and Gardens

We walked through St Luke’s Gardens. The outline of the church (designed by Hawksmore and James and built in 1733) can still seen through the screen of new foliage.

Signs of subsidence-

This view gives an idea of the subsidence affecting this building. The damage became so bad that the church was abandoned in 1959. The roof was removed (presumably for safety reasons) and it became a ruin. In the 1990s, the old church was repaired and acquired a new destiny as the headquarters of the London Symphony Orchestra, a role the it still performs.

The Coffee Tree

Reaching Old Street, we stopped off for coffee at a small outlet called the Coffee Tree.

Aboard the bus

We now caught a bus. The plan was to go to Walthamstow but…

Hackney City Farm

…when we reached Hackney, on impulse we left the bus to visit the Hackney City Farm. We explored it moi and enjoyed seeing the animals, some of whom appear below.

Hackney City Farm

Woodland

We strolled through a wood (though this might have been part of Haggerston Park which is adjacent to the farm) and…

A pond

…found a small pond.

The Bright Store

Returning to the main road we entered the Bright Store that has a tiny cafe with about two seats. We at least had a good view of the street over out teacups!

Church of St Chad Haggeston

We noticed this church, dedicated to St Chad, because of its unusually large size. I wonder whether they manage to fill it on Sundays.

Ye Old Axe-

On Hackney Road, I noticed what appeared to be an old pub, unusual in possessing a clock tower (not in working order, sadly). It also had a swinging sign though this was illegible. It used to be called Ye Old Axe but its present status seems uncertain. It has been a strip club for some time though whether it still is I do not know.

Aboard the 55

We caught a number 55 bus back to the Angel.

Myddelton’s deli

We walked down Amwell Street to Myddelton’s deli where we bought a lunch of coffee and…

Toasted sandwuches
Photo by Tigger

…delicious toasted sandwiches! (The designation “delicatessen” is well earned.)

Myddelton Square Garden

We walked home via Myddelton Square Garden and sat for a while, watching the pigeons and enjoying the calm of this peaceful place, a pleasant end to our outing.

No market today

Having ducked out of our usual Sunday shopping run yesterday, we did it today but because it was Monday and not Sunday, things were a little different from the usual. For one thing, Chapel Market was closed as it always is on Mondays.

In Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s was not very busy and we had soon collected our purchases and checked out.

Waiting for the bus in Upper Street

After lunch, we went to the bus stop in Upper Street.

Aboard the 43 bus

We boarded a number 43 bus whose destination is London Bridge Station.

Entering London Bridge Station

We entered the station and…

Down the escalator

…went down the escalator to the lower level which gave us access to the streets behind the station.

Guinness Trust

We wandered about, photographing whatever caught our fancy, such as the Guinness Trust housing estate dated 1897 and 1898. There’s no story so I’ll just show you some of the photos.

Arthur’s Mission Snowfields 1863-1895

Pub with curiously big chimney

1930s-style housing eatate

Old docks warehouses converted as dwelllings

Under the railway bridge

A distant glimpse of Tower Bridge

Museum ship HMS Belfast
Photo by Tigger

Hay’s Galleria

Queueing at Costa Coffee

After a coffee break in a rather crowded branch of Costa, we returned to London Bridge Station and…

Crossing London Bridge aboard the 43
Photo by Tigger

…there caught a number 43 bus that carried us back across London Bridge and thence to the Angel.

Sadly, the extra long bank holiday weekend now draws to a close and Tigger returns to work tomorrow. We shall make the most of this evening.