The day started grey but we were promised sunny intervals and warmer temperatures later. There was also a yellow warning for thunder storms though not until tonight.

Coffee at the deli
Photo by Tigger

We took a chance on the deli being open today and went to see. Our chance paid off: the deli was open and we had a choice of tables too.

Catching the 19

After our coffee break, we walked through to Rosebery Avenue and waited for a number 19 bus. We did not have long to wait.

Finsbury Park Station

We stayed on the bus until it reached its terminus at Finsbury Park Station. This is a triple station serving buses, British rail and London Underground.

Metal outline figures

We left the bus and started walking, on the way passing these outline figures in metal. They no doubt represent famous people but I didn’t take time to identify them.

Blackstock Road

We walked along Blackstock Road which, at this end at least, contains shops and cafes of different ethnicities, presenting interesting choices.

The Arsenal Cafe

As lunchtime was approaching and we were feeling peckish, we looked around for a cafe where we could have a meal. We plumped for the Arsenal Cafe.

Inside the Arsenal Cafe

In case you are wondering about the militaristic name, I will mention that “Arsenal” is the name of the local football team and therefore, by extension, the name of the neighbourhood. It is also the name of the nearby tube station on the Piccadilly Line.

Framed feather

On the cafe wall was hanging a picture frame containing a single feather. Intriguing. As I forgot to ask about it, I cannot furnish an explanation.

The N4 Library

Also in Blackstock Road is one of Islington’s public libraries which they call the N4 Library. We went in for a look as we like libraries and have discovered some very fine ones on our travels. Councils, being short of money, have been closing libraries and so finding one still open is always a pleasure.

Finsbury Park Mosque

We walked past the large (five-storied) Finsbury Park Mosque, also known as the North London Central Mosque.

A former hotel?

This building on a corner caught my attention. It looks as though it might have once been a classy hotel but I have no information about its history.

Entrance to Gillespie Park

We now came to the site that Tigger had picked out for a visit, Gillespie Park. This is not like any other park I have visited with the possible exception of Camley Street Natural Park. In fact, the origins of both parks are similar. The strangeness starts with this entrance.

Steps to the park

At this entrance (there is a more “normal” entrance in Gillespie Road), you pass through a narrow gate and then climb 28 steps. The brings you into the narrowest section of the park.

Gillespie Park on Google Map

This is what the park looks like on a map. The stepped entrance is at the top of the picture.

Park history

An information board explains the history of the park from an industrial site via wasteland to a Council owned ecology park – an inspiring success story.

Little more than a green path

From the steps, the park is but a narrow strip containing a path with a belt of greenery on either side.

Bordered by the railway

The right-hand side is limited by the railway and some of the greenery on that side is actually growing on railway property.

Denser growth in places

The greenery, consisting of plants, grasses and trees, is denser on the left and, in some places…

The land opens up

…the land opens up, more like a conventional park.

A stile

In one place we discovered a stile leading to a further section of the park though we didn’t respond to its invitation on this occasion.

Pretty green insect

There were birds and bees busily at work and Tigger steadied this flower for me to take a photo of the pretty green insect perched in it.

The Ecology Centre

We passed an ecology centre and…

Gateway to woodland-

…passed through this gateway into woodland.

Woodland path

We entered onto a path that led through woodland.

The pond

For a while in the thickets we had seen plants that grow in or close to water and this suggested a pond though we could not see one. At last, though, we came to it.

Panorama from our bench

There was a long, low bench here and we sat for a while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

One of the mosaics

As we approached the Gillespie Road entrance, we found some charming mosaic panels set into the ground.

Out into Gillespie Road

We exited through a gate in a wall into Gillespie Road. We now had a long walk ahead of us back to the main road where we could catch a bus.

The Arsenal Stadium

We passed the Art Deco Arsenal Stadium which used to be the home ground of the football team of the same name. The team is now based, I believe, in the Emirates Stadium.

Church of St Joan of Arc-

We passed this Catholic church, dedicated to St Joan of Arc, which attracted our attention with its tall, pointed steeple.

Frank’s Cafe

Reaching a main road called Highbury Park, we stopped off at Frank’s cafe to quench our thirst and then walked down to the nearby bus stop.

On a number 4 bus

We boarded a number 4 bus which carried us through Highbury and…

Bus stop at Angel Station

…brought us to the Angel Station, a short walk from home, ending today’s escapade.