It’s a cool day but warm in direct sunshine.

Sunshine in Amwell Street

After the customary coffee at the deli, we set off down Great Percy Street.

Friendly number three

Today proved a lucky day for cats: we spotted no less than three. Two were stand-offish, intent on their own business, but the third, a pretty ginger, was friendly and interacted with us.

At the back of the bus

In King’s Cross Road we caught a number 63 bus but had to sit in the cramped seats right at the back.

The (in)famous queue

We exited the bus on Blackfriars Bridge. The (in)famous queue of people wishing to witness the Queen’s lying-in-state passes through here. Personally, I cannot imagine why anyone would subject themselves to this but perhaps you – like them – think differently.

South Bank Central

We entered this precinct, called South Bamk Central, because Tigger knew that here there was…

Black Sheep Coffee

…a Black Sheep Coffee place. I was invited to sit in the comfy seats while Tigger…

Coffee and croissants

…bought us coffee and croissants.

Bernie Spain Gardens

We sat for a while in this pleasant small park called Bernie Spain Gardens after Bernadette Spain, “a campaigner on health and housing provision for the local community”, according to the information board.

Bug hotel

I was glad to see they have at least one “bug hotel” for the smaller denizens to use.

AstroTurfed

There were several manhole covers in the grassy area and we were amused to see that these had been “disguised” by covering them with AtroTurf.

Along Southbank

We walked to Southbank which was very crowded (and I hate crowds – they make me uncomfortable). The (in)famous queue was here too, of course. At least one venue was advertising that it was open 24 hours to cater for them. (Imagine standing in that queue at night…)

Along the river

The queue was stretching along the river, making it difficult to reach the edge to view the river without queuers thinking you were trying to push in. A few hardy souls were sitting on the benches though the queuers could hardly pass them without bumping their knees.

Into the Southbank Centre

We went into the Southbank Centre which was less crowded than I had feared.

Somewhere to sit

We found somewhere to sit for a while with both sunshine (for me) and shade (for Tigger).

Beauty fronting ugliness
Photo by Tigger

Out into the streets again, we passed this handsome Classical-style colonnaded gateway in front of an ugly modern building, a contrast that comments unfavourably on modern design.

The Graffiti Tunnel

This walk brought us to Waterloo where we entered the famous Graffiti Tunnel, once an ordinary road but now closed off and turned over to artists for free use. Tigger took photos but I saw nothing to excite me. Street art seems to be languishing in the same doldrums of inconsequentiality as conventional modern art. It’s time someone started a new art revolution to liven things up.

Lower Marsh

From the tunnel we reached the interesting street called, intriguingly, Lower Marsh. We came here for a reason.

Marie’s Cafe

That reason was to visit Marie’s Cafe for lunch. Marie’s is an English-style cafe by day and a Thai restaurant by night, a formula that seems to work extremely well.

Inside Marie’s Cafe

The cafe was busy but we found a table right at the back. They seem to be very efficient and we were soon served.

Greensmith’s

After lunch, Tigger wanted to visit Greensmith’s shop, also in Lower Marsh, and so we did.

A shop and cafe

On several levels

It is a shop and a cafe on about three levels and therefore intriguing to visit.

Aboard the 453

Walking to the main road, we saw a 453 – a bus we wanted – arrive at the stop. We ran to try to catch it. Fortunately, several people boarded the bus and the delay enabled us to reach it in time.

Marylebone

The bus dropped us at Marylebone where, three minutes later…

Aboard the 205

…a number 205 bus arrived and carried us back to the Angel and home. The day was interesting in its way but I was glad to be away from the press of the crowds. I made tea for us both and finished this account of our outing, most of which was composed along the way.