For once, we have a bank holiday when the weather is fine!

Sunny Amwell Street

Our first call was to a certain establishment in Amwell Street.

The deli – closed

The deli was closed. We thought it might be and we don’t begrudge them a well-earned holiday. We will perhaps look in again tomorrow.

St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic Church
Photo by Tigger

Tigger, though had a Plan. (Tigger always has a plan!) We walked on down Amwell Street, passing the Catholic church which was, as you might expect at Easter, open for business.

Bus stop in Rosebery Avenue

We crossed Rosebery Avenue and caught a number 38 bus to Shaftesbury Avenue.

Zédel

A short walk brought us to Zédel, one of my favourite coffee places.

Inside Zédel

We sat inside which is styled as an early 20th-century French brasserie.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

No prizes for guessing that we ordered coffee and croissants! They had only three left but we shared the third one between us.

Group
Tony Cragg, 2014

In a courtyard, we saw this work of art by Tony Cragg entitled Group. Not my cup of tea, really, but someone probably likes it.

Chinatown

More Chinatown

We took a turn through Chinatown, all of whose streets are decorated with red lanterns.

Agatha Christie Memorial

We passed by the Agatha Christie Memorial.

Old Stanford’s premises

We were now in Covent Garden and walking up Long Acre (another unusual street name). This handsome building was for a long time the premises of famous map and travel book retailers, Stanford’s. Perhaps the rent had risen too high or the company needed to “downsize“ but, whatever the reason, Stanford’s moved out to smaller premises.

Passage to Conduit Court

We passed along this passageway which is lit by lamps that change colour.

Metal tree decoration

The passage leads into Conduit Court where we find a façade decorated with metal trees, with metal foliage and fruit.

Stanford’s now

There, beside a floral arch, is the current home of Stanford’s.

Inside Stanford’s

We went inside to have a look. Tigger is interested in maps and everything to do with travel and was therefore in her element. As for me, I’m like the cat: I am happiest in my familiar surroundings.

Costa in view

Out in the streets once more, we spied s branch of Costa Coffee and decided it was time for a break with refreshments!

Inside Costa

We found a soft, low settee to sit on while we consumed our coffee.

Private passage

We walked through this passageway. Like many in London, it is private property with gates that can be locked but is left open during the day as public access.

Church of St George
Photo by Tigger

We emerged eventually in Bloomsbury Way where St George’s Church stands.

Modern-style heraldic beasts
Photo by Tigger

The church is famous for, among other things, the modern-style heraldic beasts, including a rather nervous-looking unicorn, on the steeple.

A glimpse inside

St George’s too was open for business for Good Friday.

Aboard the 38

We, though, had come for the bus stop beside it. Here we boarded a 38 bus.

The Angel Crossroads

The 38 carried us swiftly back to the Angel and home, where…

A libation of ginger beet

…we celebrated our safe return with a toast of ginger beer – cheers!