Sunshine in Inglebert Street

The sun was shining this morning when we set out for the deli. Would it be warm enough to sit outside with our coffee?

At the deli
Photo by Tigger

At the deli in Amwell Street, Tigger chose a table (and took the photo) while I was inside ordering our coffee.

At the bus stop

After enjoying the sunshine and peaceful atmosphere for a while, we walked up to Pentonville Road and waited for a number 30 bus.

Aboard the 30

We boarded the bus and off we went!

Somewhere in Dalston

We left the bus here in Dalston, a district that lies within the Borough of Hackney.

Church of St Mark Dalston

We went to take a look at this unusually large church, St Mark’s Dalston. Beside the door is a board bearing the following text: This Church, often referred to as “The Cathedral of the East End” is the largest Parish Church in London, it was built between 1866-1868 and is estimated to seat 2000 people (Poor punctuation as per the original.)

Barometer dial
Photo by Tigger

An unusual feature of this church is that what might be mistaken at a quick glance for a clock face is in fact the dial of a barometer, indicating the current meteorological conditions. We have never seen such a feature in a church before.

Primary school

Nearby we spied this school building. There was no date on it that we could see but we estimate that it dates from Victorian or Edwardian times.

The market

We passed by the market which was quite extensive and very busy.

Walking along Kingsland High Street

We walked along the main thoroughfare here named after the district of Kingsland, which, like Dalston, is also part of Hackney.

Old police station?

We spotted this attractive old building and speculated that it might be an old police station. That is just a guess, though, and could be wrong.

Che Men Cafe Restaurant

Feeling in need of refreshment, we entered this establishment. The name suggests Chinese but it seems to be a cafe tea room with Turkish overtones.

Inside Che Men

We found comfortable seats inside and started by ordering drinks.

Turkish coffee

I chose a Turkish coffee for a change. Turkish coffee has a characteristic taste and there is always a layer of coffee grounds in the bottom of the cup. We stayed on for lunch as the menu contained a number of vegetarian items.

Aziziye Mosque

Further along the road is the Aziziye Mosque which, I think, caters particularly for the Turkish population of the area.

Stoke Newington Baptist Church

Virtually next door to the mosque is this much less striking building, a Baptist Church. Its name reminds us that we have progressed into Stoke Newington, also part of the Borough of Hackney.

The Rochester Castle

We stopped to admire the decorative Rochester Castle pub. Now part of the Wetherspoons’ group, it has existed since the early 19th century.

Three Crowns

Another interesting pub nearly is the Three Crowns. The main building is large and relatively uninteresting but this bar is another story. I know nothing of its history but it is very striking and elegantly styled.

Abney Park

We entered Abney Park, a now disused cemetery. It was originally a park which, in 1840, became a cemetery. For more details of its history, see here. It is now largely overgrown and many of the tombs have fallen, their stones broken. Here are a couple more photos:

Abney Park

On a sunny day, it is quite a pleasant place in which to stroll or sit on one of the few benches. It also provides a welcome oasis for wildlife.

Aboard the 73

We crossed through Abney Park and exited into Stoke Newington High Street. Here there was a bus stop where we soon had a 73 bus which carried us back home to the Angel.

Tigger was working the late shift today. During the afternoon she sent me a text suggesting we meet at Kennedy’s for supper. I was happy to agree.

From the City to Kennedy’s in Goswell Road would take two buses. Tigger let me know when she boarded the second bus and that was the signal for me to set out on foot from home. The map apps on my phone agreed that it would take me about 15 minutes to walk to the restaurant.

The Angel crossroads

I passed through the Angel crossroads which was lit by evening sunlight. It was the rush hour and I had to grab a quick photo between the hurrying people and traffic.

Goswell Road and the clock tower

I entered Goswell Road where it divides from City Road just below the crossroads.

Continuous flow of traffic

There was a solid line of traffic, slowed by several sets of traffic lights. I would cross to the other side of the road when it was convenient to do so but as I had some way to go, there was no hurry.

Sunshine and shadow

The sun was shining between clouds but was by now low in the sky so that the streets were divided between sunlit areas and areas of deep shadow. It was rather chilly too, so I stayed in the sunlight as much as possible.

King Square Garden

I passed the small park called King Square Garden. In other circumstances, I might have gone in for a stroll but as Tigger would probably reach Kennedy’s before me, I contented myself with a quick photo and hurried on.

Inside Kennedy’s

When I arrived at Kennedy’s, Tigger was already seated at a table. Happily, the restaurant was not very busy and there were plenty of staff on hand.

Founded 1877

According to the inscription on the mirror, Kennedy’s was founded in 1877. To have survived for 145 years they must doing something right! Today, Kennedy’s is a fish and chips restaurant and takeaway outlet but the mirror’s motto reads “Purveyor of fine baked pies”, which suggests that the business has changed in accordance with customer demand.

The food arrives at last

Even though the restaurant was not very busy, it still took a long time for our food to arrive. I watched the door through which it would come and at last it did!

Halloumi and chips
Photo by Tigger

We had deep fried halloumi and chips. The halloumi comes with a serving of salad but I also had a side order of garden peas. We had tea to drink and that’s the tea bags to bottom left of the photo.

Leaving Kennedy’s

I don’t know whether Kennedy’s has been at the same address for the whole of its 145 year history – probably not. I believe they also have another branch elsewhere.

Aboard the 4

I had come to Kennedy’s on foot but we took the bus for the return journey. Or rather, for part of the journey, as we had to leave the bus at the clock tower and walk the rest of the way. Then again, a little post-prandial exercise is an entirely good thing!

On reaching home, we made proper tea with loose-leaf tea, not tea bags. Then we settled down comfortably for the evening because, as I often say on Fridays, “the weekend starts here”!

I was up at my usual time this morning. I had breakfast, checked my email, etc and then asked myself “What now?”

Tigger is working the late shift today but, in addition, she had a clinic appointment at 9 am and was enjoying a little extra lie-in.

It suddenly occurred to me that if I hurried, I could be ready to go out with Tigger when she left for her appointment. No sooner thought of than put into action! I also had a ulterior motive, which will become apparent.

Into the busy streets

We went out into the busy, rush-hour streets. The sun was shining, making things seem a little more cheerful, but the air was chilly, the more so because of the strong, gusty wind.

Entering Great Percy Street

We crossed Amwell Street and entered Great Percy Street. I stopped to photograph the garage which was open with mechanics working on vehicles. I am always attracted to garages, firstly, because my father was a motor mechanic and, secondly, because I used to work in a garage during vacations when I was a student. The smell of motor oil and petrol always revives happy memories.

The path between gardens

We walked along this path that runs between community gardens. If it has a name, I have not been able to discover what it is. I refer to it as the path between gardens.

The Amwell Practice

We reached our destination, the Amwell Practice in Nairoji Street and went in.

The waiting room

When Tigger went for her appointment, I stayed in the waiting room. As this was empty at the time, I felt it was acceptable to take a photo. (I wouldn’t have done so had there been patients present.)

A couple of years ago, the waiting room would have been full of patients waiting to be called by their doctors. Post-pandemic, face-to-face appointments are replaced wherever possible by phone or video calls. It always strikes me as strange to find myself in an empty doctors’ waiting room.

Passing through Spa Green

When Tigger emerged after her appointment and set off for her workplace, I proposed to accompany her part of the way. We crossed Rosebery Avenue and walked through Spa Green where its war memorial was basking in sunshine.

Aboard the 153

From Spa Green we entered St John Street and there caught a number 153 bus. This bus would take Tigger part of the way to work and even during rush-hours us not usually crowded.

London Wall

We left the bus at the stop near All Saints Church in London Wall. Beside the bus in the above photo you will see the establishment that I hoped we might visit (the “ulterior motive” mentioned above!). Tigger had skipped breakfast – as required for her appointment – and I was hoping we we would have breakfast (the second for me!) en route.

Caffè Nero

As it happened, my luck was in because Tigger was quite happy to catch up on her missed breakfast. We crossed the road and entered Caffè Nero.

Coffee and croissants

We ordered coffee and croissants (no prizes for guessing!). We couldn’t tarry too long as Tigger was anxious to reach the office, on time if possible, or at least, not too late.

Old Broad Street

We bade our tearful adieus here, on the corner of Old Broad Street. Tigger then walked further along London Wall to the stop for her next bus.

Liverpool Street Station

My route took me along Old Broad Street to Liverpool Street Station. It was still quite busy as was only to be expected at that time of day. In the photo, I am riding the escalator down to the main concourse.

Aboard the 153

I went to the bus station next to the railway station to catch a 153 bus for home. Fortunately, I didn’t have long to wait and was soon on my way.

Now I must think of ways to fill in my time until Tigger returns home this evening.

I mentioned a while back that I was having problems with my hitherto faithful Toshiba laptop. In December, I took it to Curry’s to see whether it could be repaired. It could, but as it was now quite old, I decided to buy a new laptop.

I chose a Dell Inspiron and since then I have come to cordially hate the wretched thing. The main reason for my dislike is that it has an intermittent fault. This takes the form of an unstable mouse pointer that darts about madly, making the computer impossible to use. I discovered that I can stabilise the pointer by closing the computer for about 20 seconds. The pointer then behaves, possibly for a couple days but sometimes only a couple of minutes. I have to keep interrupting my work by closing the computer.

Curry’s were unable to help because when I took the wretched thing in to them, it of course refused to misbehave. While I understand that intermittent faults are difficult to deal with, I was less than impressed with Curry’s seeming lack of interest in my problem.

This morning, I went online to Dell to try to obtain help from them. I tried to access the settings they suggested I change and at that moment the cursor decided misbehave: it neatly turned off the trackpad, leaving the computer unusable!

Aboard the 73

All I could do was to stuff the PC and its cable into my shoulder bag and cart it round to Curry’s when they opened at 10 am, by number 73 bus.

Arriving at Curry’s

Fortunately, I was the only customer at the repair counter and I was attended to straightaway. On my previous visit, the (male) assistant had shown a lack of interest in my problem, as though he had already decided that it was insoluble. Today, the (female) assistant was a lot more helpful.

She fetched a mouse and used this to access my computer’s settings. She re-enabled the trackpad and, having listened carefully to my account of the jumping mouse pointer suggest reducing the sensitivity of the trackpad to see whether helped. Unlike The previous assistant, she told me to come back if the problem persisted and she would send the laptop away for testing.

Inside Curry’s store

As I was there, I thought I ought to take a look around the store, especially as it is virtually empty at this time of day. My heart wasn’t in it, though, and after a brief tour of the displays, I left.

Homeward bound on the 73

I boarded a 73 bus which carried me home.

I have used the computer on and off during the day and so far, the mouse pointer has behaved itself. That doesn’t mean that problem has been solved because we often go a day or so without the fault reappearing. It’s a hopeful sign, however.

Inside Pizza Union
Photo by Tigger

Tigger was working the late shift today and we decided to eat out this evening. We arranged to meet at Pizza Union near Old Street Station. Just as I went out to catch a bus, there was a heavy downpour of rain. Fortunately, I had a bus straightaway but not before I had become wet and bedraggled.

Cloudy skies from inside Pizza Union
Photo by Tigger

I arrived first but Tigger was not long in coming. We chose a table near a window. The view outside was wet and miserable.

Watching the Pick Up counter

At Pizza Union, you order and pay at the counter and receive an electronic pager. When the pager buzzes, your pizzas are ready at the Pick Up counter.

Having eaten, we had to confront the wet streets again and walk to a bus stop. Fortunately, it was barely raining, in contrast to the downpour in which I was caught earlier.

We let a loaded 205 bus go by and caught a 214 because we know that this bus is usually much less crowded. So it was this time and we easily found seats. The bus carried us home to the Angel. We changed our wet clothes and made tea. A relaxing evening ahead!

Baron Street – sunny but cold

We went out around 11 am for our usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s. The sun was shining but the temperature was still only a degree or so above freezing.

The Farmers’ Market

We passed by the Farmers’ Market,…

Going to the checkout

…collected our shopping at Sainsbury’s,…

Chapel Market

…hurried through Chapel Market and…

At Mercer’s

…called in at Mercer’s for our takeaway coffee.

I noticed that, unlike last Sunday, there were the usual numbers of people in the markets and in Sainsbury’s – so it seems that people have recovered from the change to the clocks!

Aboard the 43

After lunch, Tigger had an idea for a walk. This involved catching a number 43 bus. It was crowded but we found seats upstairs.

The Archway Bridge

The bus passes under the Grade II listed Archway Bridge that gives the district of Archway its name.

Somewhere in Muswell Hill

We left the bus at this crossroads in Muswell Hill. (The curious name is thought to derive from a mossy spring that was believed to possess miraculous curative properties.)

Everyman Cinema
Photo by Tigger

Nearby stands the Everyman Cinema. Tigger supposed that it would have a cafe and we went inside to look.

Cinema cafe

Tigger’s guess turned out to be right. There was a cafe and we found comfortable seats where we had coffee. The lighting was fairly dim – perhaps to help patrons to adjust to the darkness of the cinema.

Church of St James Muswell Hill

Leaving the cinema, we passed in front of the local parish church of St James. Originally built in Victorian times and rebuilt in early Edwardian days, it was badly damaged in World War II and rebuilt. (More details here.)

Muswell Hill Road

We set off along Muswell Hill Road to find Tigger’s intended walk. Clouds were gathering and the sun kept disappearing. The air was cold.

We reached a bus stop

To cut a long story short, we wimped out of the intended walk on reaching a bus stop! We decided to catch a bus for home.

Aboard the 43

We boarded a 43 bus, thinking it would take us all the way to the Angel but then the recorded voice told us that the bus would terminate at Archway.

Waiting for another bus

We baled out at a bus stop within sight of the Archway Bridge. We intended to catch a 43 that would go all the way to the Angel but it turned out the the next 43 was 19 minutes away. We therefore caught an earlier bus to start us on our way.

Self-defined famous pub

This bus took us to Highbury Corner near this pub that defines itself as famous. (I don’t know whether it really is famous or not.)

A glimpse of the Union Chapel

We walked round to Upper Street and a bus stop there. I photographed the Union Chapel through the branches of a garden while waiting.

Aboard the 30

We caught a number 30 bus which carried us back to the Angel and home. I hope that the weather will improve soon, encouraging us to go out and about once more.