Tigger has a day off work today (like last Tuesday) and so we are going out and about but in a fairly relaxed way.

King’s Cross and St Pancras

We started by walking down to King’s Cross Station. The temperature today has again risen a few degrees (to a majestic 11°C) making it quite pleasant out.

King’s Cross Departures

For our coffee, we went into King’s Cross Station Departures and…

The terrace

…took the escalator up to the terrace. We bought coffee from the Costa takeaway outlet and sat at a table neat the rail, watching the activity in the station.

Roof support

From our seats we had a good view of the unusual roof support that holds up the station roof while leaving the busy floor space completely free.

Aboard the 17

After our coffee, we went round into York Way and caught a number 17 bus.

Archway
Photo by Tigger

The bus brought us to Archway though we did not go near enough to the famous road bridge to take a photo.

The Little Garden Cafe

We walked down Junction Road, looking for somewhere for lunch. We noted a couple of “possibles” but then spotted the Little Garden Cafe.

Inside the cafe

It was not at all busy and we were soon served. We had a good cafe lunch of the sort we like.

Once the Friendly Society
Photo by Tigger

After lunch, we went back along Junction Road, passing this building still bearing an inscription identifying it as once the premises of the London Friendly Society. A history of this enterprise and its modern heir, see here.

Cut-price store

We visited this cut-price store in case there was something to interest us. There was: Tigger bought some wool for her crochet projects!

Archway Library

We then visited the first of today’s libraries – or rather, we failed to visit it because it closes on Tuesdays. Archway Library is situated in the basement of a residential tower and therefore looks rather dark and gloomy but once inside, that impression fades.

The bus stop

We then went to the bus stop to catch a bus for the next stage of the outing.

Once more the 17

We boarded a 17 again, though in the opposite direction this time.

Caledonian Road

We left the bus partway along Caledonian Road (or The Caledonian Road, as some call it).

West Library

Turning up Bridgeman Road, we came to the handsome West Library. Built in 1906-8, with a contribution from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, it is now a Grade II listed building.

The “lantern”

Note the strange metal snd glass “lantern” on the roof.

We asked if we might take photos inside but received a flat “No!” in response. Boroughs do vary in how willing they are to allow photography inside their buildings.

St Andrew’s enshrouded

On a nearby corner, we spied St Andrew’s Church, completely enshrouded in netting, to what purpose I do not know. I have not seen any other examples of this.

We paused at Costa

Coffee break!
Photo by Tigger

Back on the main road, we found a branch of Costa Coffee and went in for a welcome coffee break.

Old pub

Continuing on, we noticed this old pub, now obviously repurposed as a residential property but painted in a contrasting colour as though to draw attention to it and its past life.

From chapel to paint shop

Not far sway we discovered another example of changed usage: this old church or chapel has resounded to its last sermon and is now a shop selling paint.

Aboard the 153

We now caught a 153 single-deck bus which carried through the Angel down St John Street.

Finsbury Library

Thus we came to our third library, the Finsbury Library, the one that is nearest home.

Inside Finsbury Library

We went into the library and spent some time in there. Tigger was studying some books and I was writing this blog post!

London Metropolitan University

Leaving the library, we passed this handsome building with its clock tower which is currently one of the sites of the London Metropolitan University (it has buildings all over London). It was not far from here to home so we walked rather than taking the bus.

At home, we made tea and settled in for a relaxed evening. This was a welcome break from the workaday week.

The temperature has risen a few degrees so that it is not quite as bitingly cold as it has been recently but the sky is grey and cloudy.

Sainsbury’s

We shopped this morning at Sainsbury’s as usual and returned home for a leisurely lunch.

Cloudy skies in Penton Street

After lunch, we set out on foot along Penton Street.

Path through the estate

We went down this path through a housing estate. These paths are supposed to be reserved for pedestrians (as the iron barriers indicate) yet we frequently encounter cyclists on them with the consequent risk to life and limb.

A “cliff of dwellings”

We passed this residential block of a design that I have described as “a cliff of dwellings” and we wondered what it is like living in one such. Is it noisy? I can imagine it might be, especially in summer when people open their windows.

The Thornhill Arms

We passed this pub called the Thornhill Arms. I would guess it dates from the late Victorian period, say the 1890s.

Wharfdale Road

This is one of the backstreets we passed through, this one being called Wharfdale Road.

Lounge, Premier Inn
Photo by Tigger

We found a branch of the Premier Inn hotel chain and went in for coffee. When I went to the bar to order, I was directed to a coffee machine to serve myself! (I still had to pay for the coffees, though!)

Continuing on, we came to the King’s Cross area and the entertainment and cultural centre called Kings Place. Round the outside are a number of sculptures, some of which we had seen before and some that were new to us. Below is a selection.

Ark: High and Dry (2917)
Jon Buck

Some pieces, like this one were abstract – or perhaps I should say “non-representational”. Perhaps I’m old-fashioned or simpleminded (or both) but I find it hard to relate to such works. If art is supposed to be expressive, it is hard to see what such works are trying to express.

Fish on a Bicycle (1997)
Steven Gregory

Whether the intention is humorous or serious, you can at least see what it is and it has a no-nonsense title.

Breakout II (1992)
Bryan Kneale

As I don’t know what to say about this one, I won’t say anything!

Boar II (1999)
Terence Coventry

This is representational though stylised, perhaps to give an impression of the strength and vigour of the wild boar.

Sitting Couple (1989)
Lynn Chadwick

There were two works by Lynn Chadwick, the above, which we had seen (and photographed) before and a second (below) which we had not previously seen.

Stairs (1991)
Lynn Chadwick

I have to say that I like Chadwick’s sculptures. They have a mysterious aura about them and a definite presence. With the Sitting Couple, for example, I almost feel that when I stand in front of them, they are aware of me. Curious but fascinating.

Battlebridge Basin
Regent’s Canal

Kings Place is beside the Regent’s Canal and its Battlebridge Basin, which adds something to its character.

Granary Square

Walking on once more, web passed through Granary Square

Camley Street Natural Park

Further on, we had a view, this time across the Regent’s Canal, of the Camley Street Natural Park that we had visited during our New Year’s walk.

St Pancras Lock

We passed the St Pancras Lock and on this occasion there was a barge in the process of going through it which is always fascinating to watch.

St Pancras Old Church

We walked through the grounds of St Pancras Old Church. This was once the church’s burial ground but has now been renamed St Pancras Garden though the remaining tombs leave no doubt as to its nature.

Waiting for the bus

As we had met our walking target for today, we felt justified in taking the bus for the journey home. There is a bus stop conveniently located in front of the church where we had a bus within a few minutes.

Aboard the 214

We boarded a number 214 bus which carried us past St Pancras and King’s Cross Stations and up the hill back to the Angel and home.

We hadn’t a particular plan in mind on starting out but let the day develop as it might. We did, though, decide to go for coffee, choosing Caffè Nero in Exmouth Market for that.

Myddelton Square Garden

Setting out, we crossed through Myddelton Square Garden which was deserted but for a couple of dog walkers. The weather was dry but cold.

Caffè Nero

We found a table at Caffè Nero and I went to the counter to order our coffees. For years, we had the little blue and white loyalty cards that the assistant stamped when you made a purchase and which gave you a free coffee when full. The cards still exist but we now have ours on our mobiles as part of the Caffè Nero app. I had earned two vouchers from our previous visits and so today’s coffees cost us exactly nothing!

Cafe Maya

After coffee, we went to the nearby bus stop to catch a number 19. There was a bit of a wait for the next one and just across the road was Cafe Maya. This suggested the possibility of going there for an early lunch. No sooner thought of than done!

Aboard the 19

After lunch, we went back to the bus stop and caught a number 19. It was fairly full and we occupied the rear-facing seats in the centre.

Duke of York’s Square

In the meantime, the idea had come to visit the Saatchi Gallery and so we left the bus in Sloane Square and walked to Duke of York’s Square where there was a market in full swing.

Approaching the Saatchi

The Saatchi Gallery is in the Grade II* listed Duke of York’s Headquarters. As we approaching we were struck by how few people were there. The reason soon became clear: the gallery was closed!

Draycott Place

We started wandering and exploring, more or less at random. This is Draycott Place, a street of elegant town houses, many of which are now divided into flats.

Old Guinness Trust property

We observed this residential block built by the Guinness Trust in 1892, a Victorian project in “social housing”.

Marlborough Primary School
Photo by Tigger

We came upon the Marlborough Primary School which attracted our attention because it is a fairly modern build but with fragments of the original 1902 building incorporated in the façade.

Mossop Street Telephone Exchange

In Mossop Street, we found this telephone exchange dated 1930. There is very little to show that it is still a telephone exchange and we are uncertain whether it still functions in that role.

Old Harrods Store

If you think of Harrods as being forever a resident of its current location in Knightsbridge it might surprise you to come across this handsome building bearing the Harrods name and the date 1911.

Michelin House

Decorative Panel

We reached Michelin House, built in 1911 as the UK headquarters of the famous tyre manufacturer. Along the wall is a set of decorative panels with a motoring theme.

Michelin House entrance
Photo by Tigger

The Art Deco entrance is particularly eye-catching and beautiful. Once a tyre retail outlet, with a tyre-fitting bay, the building is now home to a restaurant and oyster bar.

We thought about stopping somewhere for coffee and a warm but everywhere was crowded so we kept on going back to the main Brompton Road.

Brompton Oratory

Here stands the Brompton Oratory, also known as the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was consecrated in 1884. It is a Grade II* listed building.

Victoria and Albert Museum

We crossed into Thurloe Place to wait for a bus in front of another famous building, a secular one this time, the Victoria and Albert Museum. We didn’t visit it today but will no doubt do so on another occasion.

Cabmen’s shelter

Waiting for the bus gave us time to photograph the nearby Cabmen’s Shelter, one of the 13 surviving out of the 61 originally built. For a history of these curious but important buildings and the organisation that supports them, see this Wikipedia article.

Aboard the 74

We boarded a number 74 bus to start our journey home.

Old Marylebone Town Hall

We changed buses in Marylebone Road close to the fine old Marylebone Town Hall. Built in 1914-20 it is now a Grade II listed building, listed under its alternative name, Westminster Council House.

Here we caught a number 205 bus that was too packed for me to take photos but it carried us quickly and safely back home to the Angel. (I use the adjective “safely” advisedly as a bus caught fire at the Angel only a couple of days ago. Happily, no one was hurt.)

It was pleasant to leave the cold behind us, make tea and relax. Tomorrow is another day and we shall see where it takes us.

Tigger has a day off work today so we can go out and amuse ourselves. The weather is quite cold (colder than the forecasts suggest) but it is at least dry with intermittent sunshine which, though not very warming, makes us feel more cheerful.

Aboard the 214

We started by catching a 214 bus.

Crossing Camden High Street

The bus brought us to Camden Town where we visited a craft shop for Tigger to buy wool for her crochet projects. I snatched this photo as we made a death-defying dash across the High Street.

Continuing along the High Street

After the craft shop, we continued along the High Street which narrows somewhat on passing along the left side of the Underground Station.

The touristy bit

This brought us to the district that is crowded with tourists in the season as the street is lined with trendy or exotic (depending on your point of view) shops, eateries and tattoo parlours.

Elephant

Some of the shops have complex and colourful fronts like this elephant and..,

Dragon

…this Chinese dragon (which, as you can see, is not an imperial dragon as it has only four toes).

Camden Lock

We reached another famed place, Camden Lock, known not so much for the barges changing level as for Camden Market sited beside it.

Covered Market

This market has the advantage of being under cover and people can browse there in comfort in any weather.

On two levels

The market is on two levels, making is very large.

Shop-sized

Some stalls are quite small and open-fronted while others, like this one, are shop-size with entrance doors.

Canal and bridge

We went out from the market to the canal beside the pedestrian bridge that crosses it.

Along the towpath

We walked a little way along the towpath and exited into Chalkfarm Road.

Costa Coffee

We visited the local branch of Costa Coffee and…

The diminutive lounge

…found seats in a corner of the diminutive lounge.

Wagamama

As it now felt like lunchtime, we went along to a nearby branch of Wagamama.

In Wagamama

We had come here last when Covid restrictions were still in force. Things were more relaxed today, fortunately.

Aboard the 168

We returned to Camden High Street to catch a 168 bus going to Hampstead Heath.

South End Green

We left the bus at its terminus in South End Green.

Keats’ House

We went up the street called Keats Grove to Keats’ House. It was closed so we couldn’t have visited it – assuming we would want to, of course.

Keats Community Library

Next to it is the Keats Community Library which was open, so we went in.

Ceiling dome
Photo by Tigger

It has a splendid stained glass ceiling dome.

We sat in the library for a while as it was warm and there were comfortable chairs. It is a fairly small library but pleasant and welcoming as witness a number of people reading or working with their computers.

Hampstead Heath Station

We returned to the main road by the Overground Railway’s Hampstead Heath Station. The station shelters a fruit and veg stall on its entrance forecourt, a nice example of commercial symbiosis.

Starbuck’s

Our next port of call was Starbuck’s where we took refreshment (coffee for Tigger and tea for me).

Evening falls
Photo by Tigger

By the time we emerged, the daylight was fading and evening was coming on. We went to the bus stop to begin our journey home.

Aboard the 46

We first boarded a single-deck 46 which carried us back to Camden Town where we transferred to another single-decker, a 214, this time.

Nighttime in Pentonville Road

By the time we left the bus in Pentonville Road, night had fallen completely. From here we were soon chez nous once more with a good day to look back on and a cosy evening to look forward to.

This morning, we performed our usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s and found that today was to be sunny but cold (the temperature barely rising above freezing).

Aboard the 214

After lunch we caught a number 214 bus.

Camden High Street

The 214 carried us to Camden Town where we left it.

TheWorks

First, we went into TheWorks where Tigger was hoping to make a purchase but was unsuccessful.

Ryman

So then we went to Ryman and this time Tigger was successful.

Aboard the 88

Next we boarded a number 88 bus. So far, our outing was going swimmingly but we had forgotten that today is the lunisolar new year. (We used to refer to this as the Chinese New Year but it appears that we are now supposed to call it by a non-racial name. I leave it to you to work out the reasons.)

Great Smith Street

Streets around China Town were closed, causing traffic to be diverted. As a result our bus crawled along Regent’s Street at far less than walking pace. After a long, long, slow journey, we left the bus in the backstreets of Westminster. This one is called Great Smith Street.

Caffè Nero

Spirit restorative
Photo by Tigger

Nearly all shops and cafes were closed but we found a Caffè Nero open and went in to restore our spirits.

The Marquis of Granby

We passed the (closed) pub called the Marquis of Granby.

St John, Smith Square

We reached Smith Square, site of the Church of St John. Its church days behind it, St John’s now serves as a concert hall for the BBC though today…

Getting ready for a banquet?

…they seemed to be preparing it for a banquet.

Victoria Tower Gardens

We were approaching the Thames and a certain famous institution. Here there is a small park called Victoria Tower Gardens from where you have a view of the institution in question.

Buxton Memorial Fountain

In the gardens are a number of memorial objects, among which is this, the Buxton Memorial Fountain to the emancipation of slaves.

The Burgers of Calais
Auguste Rodin

There is also the impressive group of statuary, the Burguers of Calais by Auguste Rodin.

Emmeline Pankhurst
A G Walker

Not least is the memorial by A G Walker to Emmeline Pankhurst

The Victoria Tower

This is the Victoria Tower from which the gardens derive their name. The above mentioned “institution” to which it belongs is of course the Houses of Parliament.

The Thames

We went to have a look at the river Thames. The bridge is Lambeth Bridge.

Big Ben
Photo by Tigger

Tigger took this photo of Big Ben peeping over the Houses of Parliament.

Westminster Abbey

I took a photo in the failing light of Westminster Abbey with the statue of George V by William Reid Dick.

Aboard the 24

We started our journey home by catching a 24 bus. Happily, the return journey along Regent’s Street was not as slow as our previous passage along it.

Changing buses

The bus dumped us at Warren Street Station and we walked to the bus stop at the top of Euston Road for our next bus.

Aboard the 205

We caught a 205 which was crowded so we had to sit at the back. I took this photo through the rear window between the heads of other passengers.

It had been cold out and so I was glad to reach home and make a nice hot cup of tea !