According to the Met Office forecast, today’s temperature will hit 30°C around 4 pm. That is not really all that hot and we have had temperatures in the low 30s before, if only occasionally and for short durations. The crunch, though, is expected tomorrow and Tuesday when the maxima are expected to reach 36° and 37°, respectively.

Now, I know that if any Australian or American readers happen upon my blog or, more generally, our increasingly hysterical news sources, they will be rolling their eyes to heaven, wondering what all the fuss is about. To them, such temperatures are nothing unusual snd they have measures in place to deal with them. So why are the whingeing poms making such a fuss?

The point, of course, is that for us such temperatures are far from usual and set a worrying (perhaps I might stretch that to frightening) precedent. Those of us who are not climate-change deniers will be wondering how much higher the mercury will rise and how soon. And we certainly do not have measures in place, a matter on which our government had been singularly inactive. For now, though, we will be waiting to see how our infrastructure and the normal processes of national life stand up to the heat. Will workplaces be forced to close and will bus, tube and rail services collapse under the strain?

Of course, it may not even happen. Anyone who watches the weather forecast as assiduously as I do (I have made reference to the Met Office app on my phone) is used to seeing the forecast change radically within the hour or even within minutes. Tomorrow, then, could instead turn out to be cool and wet or cold with gale-force winds. Anything is possible in Shakespeare’s “precious jewel set in a silver sea”. We must wait and see.

Keeping to the shady side

As usual, we went out to Sainsbury’s to do our weekly shopping. Tigger feels the heat even more than I do and so we walked slowly and kept to the shady side of the street.

Chapel Market – a full turnout

What I did not expect was the to find Chapel Market crowded out. There were stalls the whole length of the street, the first time that has happened since before the pandemic. As well as the usual stalls, there were ones I had not seen before, all packed closely together. Why, I wonder?

In Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s was about as busy as it usually is on Sunday and we sped round without any difficulty. I did notice that the aircon was keeping the air very cool. I suspect that if the next two days are as hot as predicted, supermarkets will become places of refuge where people forced to go out into the streets will go to cool down. That’s assuming that the aircon can cope.

Another view of the market

As usual, I hurried through the market to Mercer’s to buy our coffee before heading home. I did notice that Pentonville Road was very busy so that we had to wait quite a while before we could cross. What that means, if anything, I cannot say.

Later…

I decided after lunch that I would venture out at around 4 pm to experience the 30°C temperature for myself. Tigger declined to accompany me but gave me her blessing 🙂

Earlier than originally forecast

However, one of those changes to the forecast mentioned above had taken place and the temperature had reached 30° already at 2 pm. (Timings on the display tend to be for the next hour onwards.

Myddelton Square Garden

So I put on my shoes and hat and went out. My chosen destination was Myddelton Square Garden where I hoped to find a bench in the shade to set up our…

Electronic thermometer

…electronic thermometer. (You may be able to read “Hendon Library October 2004” on the bezel. That’s because I worked at that library and after it was refurbished we staff were each given one of these multifunction devices as a memento.) As you can see, after thinking about it for a few minutes, the thermometer displayed a temperature of 30°C. Yes, I did stand it in the shade as you are supposed to do. I stood it on my purse in case the metal bench or stone wall would be hot and influence the reading, so I think this is near enough the correct value for the air temperature.

River Street

Having measured the temperature and shown that the Met Office forecast was correct, I went for a little walk, first in River Street. (You can probably just dee the red awnings of the deli. I didn’t visit it was they would be closing about now.)

Myddelton Square, east side

I then returned to Myddelton Square. I know you’ve seen pictures of this before but it is a lovely place and I keep on photographing it.

Cutting through the garden

I cut through the garden, being careful not to disturb the sunbathing pigeons, and made my way home.

There was a gentle breeze at moments and in the shade under the trees it was quite pleasant. Come Monday and a temperature of 36°C, it won’t be so pleasant, especially where there is no shade. Tigger has to go to work and is not looking forward it. I will go out, just to experience it but otherwise will stay at home in front of an electric fan.

We have had heatwaves before and will certainly have them again in future but I detect an unusual note of alarm in official pronouncements about the current case.

Met Office forecast

This morning, the Met Office weather forecast app on my phone was displaying an “Amber warning of extreme heat”. Similarly, …

Email (part) from TfL

…Transport for London (TfL) has emailed to warn of likely disruption of public transport services because of high temperatures and to advise us if possible to avoid travelling next Monday and Tuesday.

Dry grass in the reservoir

Around 10 am this morning, it was relatively cool outside and so we took our usual stroll to Myddelton’s deli for coffee. A few days ago, I noticed that gardeners were cutting the grass in the reservoir in Claremont Square. Today, the grass is dried up and brown, like a hayfield after harvest.

Looking up Mylne Street from Myddelton Square

Blues skies and sunshine are usually a cause for rejoicing and today’s weather, by reflex, made me feel happy. It is concerning nonetheless because extreme weather can cause damage, shortages and even loss of life. (Among other effects, the NHS has warned of longer waiting times on call-out of emergency ambulances.)

My favourite tree

In Myddelton Square, I stopped to say hello to the Curvaceous Tree. (And no, I didn’t hear it say hello back – I’m not that obsessive… yet!)

No shade at the deli

As we approached the deli, we could see some shaded seats on the Lloyd Baker Street side (left in the picture) but before we could grab them, two other customers pipped us at the post. Grrr!

Myddelton Square Garden

We therefore resorted to Plan B which was to take our coffee to Myddelton Square Garden and find a bench in the shade. We were lucky to find one unoccupied.

A glance back on leaving

We sat here for some time, watching what was going on around us and telling one another about things we had done or seen while apart during the week. Then Tigger had a Proposition to make and off we went.

Chadwell Street

In pursuance of Tigger’s Proposition, we set off down Chadwell Street and went to a certain general store near its end.

Hers and…

…his!
Photos by Tigger

Yes, Tigger’s Proposition was to buy us an icecream each! With these in hand, we set off hot-foot (almost literally!) for home.

I rather think that will prove to be our sole venture into the outside world today and that we shall spend the rest of the day at home being wafted cool by our electric fans. We’ll spare a thought for those whose responsibilities mean that they have no choice but to remain out in the heat and make the best of it that they can.

The hot weather continues with the forecasts suggesting more of the same still to come. I have been going out each day for a walk and to sit in one of the neighbouring public gardens. I take a book with me but quite often there there is activity going on around me – both animal and human – so that I never actually open my book.

Gravé dans le Sable
Michel Bussi

My current read is Gravé dans le Sable by Michel Bussi, known for his intricately structured mystery stories. Gravé dans le Sable is the first novel he wrote though it was not published until after some of his later works had been published and his reputation was assured.

A visitor

Today I have come to Myddelton Square Garden. This small creature came to join me though only briefly.

“My friends” the pigeons

The pigeons (Tigger calls them “my friends”) also came to take a look at me but as I didn’t have any food to share, they soon went about their business.

A handsome couple

I photographed this pair of pigeons, obviously a couple. Pigeons mate for life and a couple seems to lead their lives together, for example both sharing in feeding their young. If you want to know more about these interesting birds, a good place to start is Steve Harris’s article Feral pigeon: flying rat or urban hero?

Myddelton Square Garden

The sky is full of clouds this afternoon, allowing the sun to shine only intermittently. It is cooler as a result and the conditions are quite pleasant, enhanced by a slight breeze.

Gallipoli

In the evening, I met Tigger off the bus in Upper Street at the stop for one of our favourite eateries, Gallipoli. (The photo is spoilt by all the parked vehicles obscuring the view. I would like to see a more areas made pedestrian-only and lazy car owners shut out.)

Open to the sky
Photo by Tigger

We were pleased to be given a table in the area with the ceiling rolled back so that it was almost like being outside.

Walls covered with pictures

It is a feature of this restaurant that the walks are covered with pictures, mirrors and display items.

Our meal
Photo by Tigger

Tugger had borek (foreground) and I had falafel. I of course had Turkish tea and Tigger had ayran.

Aboard the 30

Afterwards, we crossed the road to the bus stop in front of St Mary’s Church and caught a number 30 bus back to the Angel. At home, we relaxed in front of our electric fans.

What is it I often say on Friday evening? Oh yes: the weekend starts here!

The heatwave has continued through the weekend. As neither of us likes the heat and we prefer to avoid it, we have stayed at home with the electric fans going, apart from two brief forays into the outside world.

Outside the deli

Yesterday (Saturday) morning, while it was still relatively cool, we made an expedition to Amwell Street to visit our friends at the deli. We sat outside to drink our coffee and there skedaddled back home.

Sunlit Myddelton Square

On the way there, we did make a quick tour of Myddelton Square to see whether we could spot the cats who live there. They were not visible but…

A bonus cat!
Photo by Tigger

…yes! We scored a bonus cat, one that we did not know, lurking in a dark window. A black cat in a dark window: I missed it but sharp-eyed Tigger spotted it and took the photo.

Farmers’ Market

Whatever the weather, the shopping needed to be done and at 11 am we made our way via Chapel Market to Sainsbury’s. The Farmers’ Market was in full swing and I took a quick photo of it.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s was about as busy as it usually is on Sunday mornings. We each had a list of items to collect and we had soon finished.

In Mercer’s

As usual, it was my job to rush ahead of Tigger and the shopping trolley to Mercer’s to buy our coffee. With this in hand, we made for home and the electric fans.

Sudoku

We spent the rest of the day in quiet activities indoors, which included watching a video and solving a sudoku. I present it here for you to try, if you wish. I managed to solve it but if you get stuck, you will find the solution here. Not that you will need it, of course 🙂

Tomorrow, whatever the weather, Tigger returns to work and I have an appointment that I am not looking forward to. I will try to put it out of my mind for now and enjoy the evening at home.

London is enjoying (or suffering, depending on your tolerance of heat) a heat wave. This afternoon, the sun is shining from an almost clear sky and the temperature is hovering in the upper 20s C.

The Curvaceous Tree

After lunch, I decided to go and sit in the park for a while. I took a book to read and some seeds for the birds. Passing Myddelton Square, I took a photo of my favourite whom I call the Curvaceous Trees because of its tortuously twisted boughs. It is fully dressed now in green summer foliage.

St Mark’s Church

The afternoon sun was now illuminating the façade of St Mark’s Church.

Myddelton Passage

I had decided to go to Spa Green for a change and passed along Myddelton Passage to reach Rosebery Avenue. The Passage is not looking its best at the moment because all the buildings are covered with scaffolding. I don’t know what it being done but work seems to proceed painfully slowly.

The pub vine

I of course visited the pub vine to see how it was faring. It is looking in fine fettle with an abundance of healthy green leaves.

Grapes

The grapes, which were tiny when we last looked, have also grown, like the bunch in the above photo.

Rosebery Avenue

I crossed Rosebery Avenue which is pleasantly shady in sunny weather and not too busy for a road that carries three important bus routes. (19, 38 and 341, if you really want to know!)

Spa Green War Memorial

I entered Spa Green and looked for an unoccupied bench in the shade. It was much too hot to sit in the sunlight. There were very few pigeons on the war memorial: like me, they preferred the shade in a hot day like this.

Les amoureux

I spotted this pair of pigeons sitting in the grass together. I saw them again later, very obviously an affectionate couple.

I found a bench in the shade and settled down. I never did take the book out of my bag because I was fully occupied with watching the pigeons.

Enthusiastic clientele

I produced the jar of bird seed and soon gathered a small but enthusiastic clientele.

The pigeons in Spa Green are much more timid than those in Myddelton Square. The latter, within a couple of minutes would be on the bench with me and even perched on my knees but the Spa Green cohort kept their distance. Even the movement of my arm throwing seed frightened them so I found ways to toss the seed with minimal movement on my part.

Male courting (unsuccessfully)

Whenever there is a gathering of pigeons, unattached males will try their luck at courting females. They spread their finery, revolving to show it off, while emitting the staccato cooing sound. The curious thing is that I have never seen a male succeed: the female has always run or flown away, leaving the male to seek success elsewhere. And yet, I also see pigeon couples in amorous union (like Les amoureux above) so the courting ritual must succeed sometimes. I’ve just never seen it do so.

Church hidden

I returned home by the way I had come. On arriving in Myddelton Square, I took this photo. From this angle, the church is now completely hidden by trees. You might like to compare it with a picture from the same angle taken on May 6th – see Life renewed.

Looking back from Claremont Square

I paused in Claremont Square for a “retrospective” of the route I had followed.

The reservoir

I also photographed the reservoir and…

South side of Claremonth Square

…the south side of Claremont Square. I know I’ve shown you these views many times before but I love this beautiful neighbourhood and think I am so lucky to live here.