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!