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.