It’s another grey and wet day on which to end this ill-favoured year, 2022. We set out bravely, however, the more so since Tigger had made a pleasant suggestion. This was to have our morning coffee in one of our favourite cafes.

Bus stop, St John Street

We betook ourselves to the bus stop in St John Street where we had not long to wait for the bus we wanted.

Aboard the 38

We caught a number 38 bus which carried us into town.

Shaftesbury Avenue

The bus dropped us in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Approaching Zédel

A short walk brought us in sight of our goal, Brasserie Zédel. The building contains three cafe-bars and a restaurant but we were interested in the street-level French cafe.

The French Cafe

The cafe presents as an early 20th-century Art Deco establishment, with photos and pictures on the walls. For me, a visit here is a nostalgia trip, especially as such cafes have almost disappeared from France where they were created.

Coffee and accompaniments
Photo by Tigger

We had hoped for croissants but, unfortunately, we were too late: there were none left. We made do with a pain au raisins and a pain au chocolat.

Going downstairs

Before leaving, I went downstairs (the décor continues on the staircase) to visit the toilettes.

Old-fashioned luxury

The décor here is also old-fashioned and luxurious. Needless to say, there is nothing so vulgar as electric hand-dryers. Instead, good quality disposable towels are supplied.

Out into the rain

We set out again into the rain. Fortunately, it was a little warmer than yesterday and not as windy. (Today I had no fear of losing my hat!)

Golden Square Gardens

We passed through the colourfully named Golden Square though it didn’t look very golden in today’s dull light.

Carnaby Street

We walked down the famous (?) Carnaby Street which was still heavily decorated with Christmas lights.

Animated display

There were other animated displays such as this walking figure.

Liberty

We visited Liberty’s store. Its “Tudor” façade was reputedly built using timber recycled from the breaking up of Britain’s last wooden warship.

Looking down the light-well

We took the slow, old-fashioned lift up to the fourth floor where I took my usual photo looking down the light-well.

Lonely reindeer

I photographed this lonely reindeer, seemingly forgotten in a corner, as symbolic of the store’s disappearing Christmas decorations…

No Christmas decorations

…which have been removed from most departments.

Regent Street

We went out into a wet Regent Street where we caught a bus towards Covent Garden.

Sagar Vegetarian Indian Restaurant

We stopped off to have lunch at Sagar, a vegetarian Indian restaurant.

Starters (top) and main course
Photos by Tigger

We were a little disappointed in the food that we found rather bland.

Covent Garden Piazza

We walked into the main square of Covent Garden, where the fruit and vegetable market used to be held, now a place for trendy shops, stalls and entertainments and referred to as the Piazza.

Inside the market hall

We walked through the market hall which was crowded.

Opera House Shop

We cut through the Opera House and in the shop found a seat where we rested for a while.

Drury Lane Theatre

We then continued on, passing in front of Drury Lane Theatre (whose entrance, as you probably know, is in Catherine Street, not Drury Lane).

Delaunay Counter

Before catching a bus for home, we went, as a final treat, to another of our favourite cafes, Delaunay Counter.

An elegant setting

It is an elegant setting for coffee and cake or light snacks. It has a “continental” character, though whether German, Austrian or Swiss (or maybe all of these), I don’t really know.

Coffee and cheescake
Photo by Tigger

We had coffee and cheesecake, a pleasant way to round off our outing.

Aboard the 341

Nearby is a bus stop which we reached at almost the same moment as a number 341 bus. We went aboard and it carried us home to the Angel.