Christmas Day has dawned grey and damp. Taking things easy, we set out just after 11 am to take a look at the Christmas world.

Chapel Market

Chapel Market was empty and silent in contrast to its usual Sunday bustle.

Some shops are open

The two fruit & veg shops were open but so far without any sign of customers.

Starbuck’s is open

Looking around for coffee, we found Costa closed. We then spied a man carrying coffee and knew from this that Starbuck’s was open. Thither we went and carried our drinks to the upstairs lounge. It was sparsely attended when we arrived but gradually more people arrived.

Goswell Road

Afterwards, we set off down Goswell Road. There were a few people and vehicles about but it was generally very quiet.

Ashby Street

We diverted along Ashby Street.

Northampton Square

This led us to Northampton Square with its central garden and a bandstand.

Colourful wreath

There were a few Christmas wreaths on doors but fewer than in previous years. Above is one of the more colourful ones.

Happy pigeons

The square’s pigeons were out in force and we scattered some seed to give them a little Christmas cheer.

Crossing St John Street

We went along Wyclif Street which brought us to St John Street which we crossed.

Patrick Coman House, Finsbury Estate

We entered the Finsbury housing estate through the archway in Patrick Coman House.

Public garden

This led us into a small public garden where we sat in a bench for a while.

Pigeons feeding
Photo by Tigger

There were pigeons here too and so we gave them the rest of the seed. Their enthusiasm is understandable as food is harder to find at this time of year.

Spa Fields

We cut through Spa Fields which was deserted.

Exmouth Market

We entered Exmouth Market and walked partway down, thinking we might find Caffè Nero open but in that we were disappointed.

Rosebury Avenue

From Exmouth Market, we entered Rosebury Avenue.

Sadlers News

We found another shop, Sadlers News, open for business. It is on the corner of Yardley Street up which we walked.

Wilmington Square

This led us to Wilmington Square which has a central park or garden (with bandstand) surrounded by Georgian and Victorian houses.

North-side steps

We didn’t enter the garden but ascended the steps at the north side. Wilmington Square has an unusual characteristic: whereas most squares are bounded by four roads, Wilmington Square has roads on only three sides. On the north side, the houses are separated from the garden by a pedestrian passageway and this is raised above the surrounding ground level.

Wilmington Square, north side

What is the reason for this curious arrangement? I do not know: any explanations I have come across seemed more like urban myths than likely reasons.

Lloyd Square

Continuing in a more or less northerly direction, we came into Lloyd Square, one of the few whose central garden is private and accessible to residents only. (If you look down to the right, by the parked car, you might make out the red canopy of Myddelton’s deli.)

Great Percy Street

Climbing the slope we came into Great Percy Street (Percy Circus is behind me in terms of the photo). This is usually a very quiet street and the garage at the top end being closed made it quieter still.

Amwell Street

Great Percy Street leads into Amwell Street, our local “village high street”. From here we were soon home and thoughts of a rest and then lunch were in our mind. Tigger is content as she has “closed the ring” (met her daily walking target) and I am looking forward to nice cup of tea. We will spend the rest of the day relaxing at home.