The weather was not promising when we started out this morning.

Cloudy skies in Amwell Street

p>Notwithstanding the cloudy skies, we headed to the deli for coffee and were able to grab a table.

Coffee for two
Photo by Tigger

While we were a-coffeeing, the clouds parted and the sun shone… for a while. It continually alternated between clouds and sunshine.

Upper Street

Afterwards, we set off along Upper Street as we had an errand to run.

Mountain Warehouse

Our destination was a shop selling articles for hikers, campers and climbers.

Inside Mountain Watehouse

This is not really my kind of shop but there was a particular item that I needed. We found it and bought it. (More about that in a later post.)

Aboard the 214

We took our purchases home and then caught a number 214 bus.

Entrance to Parliament Hill Fields

We left the bus in Highgate Road near an entrance to Parliament Hill Fields, part of Hampstead Heath.

Laz Bistro Restaurant

Nearby were two restaurants, Al Parco and Laz. We know both and today plumped for Laz.

Pizza Fiorentina

We chose a vegetarian Fiorentina pizza each. Every pizzeria makes the Fiorentina slightly differently but, whoever makes it, it is usually delicious.

Into the park

Afterwards, we entered the park and climbed up the slope that gives the Hill its name.

Lower pond

The Heath has several ponds and we tarried a while beside this one which is the lowest. We had a few bits and bobs for the ducks and coots which made us popular for a while!

Heron fishing
Photo by Tigger

On a small, possibly artificial, island, we could see a heron watching for fish. It was a long way out so the photo is not very clear.

Pigeon refuge

There were pigeons too but, unlike the ducks and coots who can feed on the water, pigeons can only alight on dry land. Because of the coming and going of people, the pigeons stayed perched on a branch watching enviously as we fed the water fowl. I did managed to give food to one of the pigeons, though.

The hilly path-

Afterwards we had a long climb up a hilly path.

A view of the City

We reached the top where there is a clear view to the distant City whose tall buildings stand on the horizon like a row of broken teeth.

Patches of buttercups

There were flowers in the grass, particularly large patches of bright yellow buttercups.

Looking back

From the top, we continued down towards the streets of Hampstead. In the lower reaches, there were more people sitting out on the grass including some quite large groups.

Out into Nassington Road

We left the Heath by a gate into Nassington Road. This is a long road that slopes upwards and after our previous climb, proceeding up it was hard work.

Hampstead Heath Station-

We emerged at Hampstead Heath Station in the South End Green district of Hampstead. I was relieved that our path was now downhill!

Inside Starbuck’s

We thought of going to a cafe for refreshments and a rest. Most places seemed crowded and we ended up in Starbuck’s which is far from being a favourite of mine though Tigger seems to like it.

Iced coffee and tea

Tigger had iced coffee but I preferred tea to Starbuck’s coffee. Even this was not very good as it was over-strong and stewed. I drank only a small amount.

Drinking fountain, South End Green

We now made for a bus stop, passing this beautiful Victorian (1880) drinking fountain. Unsurprisingly, it is a Grade II listed building.

Aboard the 46

We just missed the bus we wanted but we saw a 46 arrive. This would take us part of the way so we hurried and managed to catch it.

Changing at Kentish Town

We changed buses at Kentish Town. The building on the left with the black superstructure used to be, first, the North-Western Polytechnic and, later, part of the Polytechnic of North London. I was a lecturer here for a number of years before moving to the main precinct in Holloway Road where I spent 9 happy years lecturing in computer science.

Obsolete sign

Although this sign still advertises Indian food, that business it belonged to disappeared years ago. One evening when it still existed, we went in and tried to have a meal. The rather eccentric owner looked us up and down and remarked that he didn’t serve just anybody. In the impasse that followed, I happened to remark that I used to be a lecturer at the poly across the road. Unwittingly, I had pronounced the magic password and he thereupon agreed to serve us! After that one experience, though, we never returned. I shall never know whether my “password” would have worked a second time!

Aboard the 214

A 214 eventually arrived at the stop and we went aboard to be carried back to the Angel, completing today’s outing.