Today the sun is shining for a pleasant change. The temperature is a couple of degrees colder than yesterday but let’s be grateful for small mercies.

Chapel Market

Just after 10 am we made our way to Chapel Market. A few shops were open but there were no stalls – the market is in any case closed on Mondays.

In Costa

Costa was open today so we went in for coffee.

Superdrug was open

Superdrug was also open which was useful as we had a few purchases to make.

Broken down bus

We went to the bus stop in Upper Street. The space was partly obstructed by what appeared to be a broken-down bus being attended to by a mechanic.

Aboard the 73

We boarded a number 73 bus and sat beside the middle doors.

Stoke Newington

We left the bus in Stoke Newington.

Abney Park

We entered Abney Park, a cemetery that has been turned into a park and wildlife sanctuary.

Graves and gravestones

The company running the cemetery became bankrupt in the 1970s and since then, the graveyard has fallen into disrepair.

Undermined by tree roots

Tombstones have fallen or been broken, graves have subsided or been undermined by tree roots.

Sunshine through the trees
Photo by Tigger

The low sun shone through tree branches, creating complex patterns of light and shade.

Grave in a dangerous state

Some graves have become unstable and dangerous and have been isolated with tape and danger warnings.

Paths to follow

There are pathways running in all directions. One can ramble along these and so explore an ever changing scenery.

Cemetery chapel
Photo by Tigger

There is a striking chapel though it is currently boarded up and surrounded by builders’ screens. (There is building work going on in the park though I do not know what its purpose is.)

War memorial

There is a war memorial in the park/cemetery.

Grave with sculpture

Many of the graves that had tall crosses, angels or other stonework have suffered collapse. This striking example is one of the few to survive seemingly undamaged.

The Blue Legume

Leaving the park, we returned to the shopping area, looking for lunch. We tried our luck here, at the Blue Legume.

In the Blue Legume

The cafe was not very busy and we easily found a table.

Lunch!

We both chose the vegetarian omelette with spinach, mushrooms and red onion, served with “fries” (chips) and salad. There was also a choice of teas: Tigger chose Earl Grey and I chose Assam.

Stoke Newington Church Street

We walked along this thoroughfare which has a long name: Stoke Newington Church Street.

Stoke Newington Public Library

We saw the local public library,…

The Town Hall

…the Town Hall and…

St Mary’s Church

…the parish church, St Mary’s.

The Old Church

Opposite St Mary’s is what is called simply The Old Church, presumably the original parish church, now decommissioned. It contains the Community Arts Venue.

Aboard the73

We caught a 73 to return to the Angel.

Camden Passage

We intended to leave the bus at Islington Green but missed the stop. We travelled to Angel Station and walked back through Camden Passage.

Caffè Nero, Islington Green

We were making for Caffè Nero at Islington Green.

Cinnamon Swirl and Black Americano

We had one last round of coffee before walking home: a cinnamon swirl and a black americano. I leave you to guess who had which!