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.