It’s a fine, dry and sunny day though a few degrees colder than yesterday. We performed our usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s this morning and returned home to relax over coffee bought at Mercer’s on the way by.

St John Street

We decided to treat ourselves to a cafe lunch and thought about where to go. We decided to try a cafe in St John Street called (perhaps slightly incongruously) the Angel Inn. We went there a lot at one time but had ceased for reasons I don’t remember. Perhaps today was the occasion to try them again.

Angel Inn
Photo by Tigger

The cafe was surprisingly busy but we were served without much delay. Lunch was good, justifying our choice of venue.

Aboard the 73

After lunch, we caught a number 73 bus to Oxford Street as Tigger had some shopping to do.

Crowded Oxford Street

Oxford Street was of course crowded, making it difficult to progress without bumping into people, which includes avoiding those silly creatures who think they can attend to their phones while walking in the street. If you want to fiddle with your phone, go to a quiet corner and stand still! Otherwise, you deserve whatever happens to you, including having your phone snatched. (Yes, we’ve seen that happen.)

From the top floor at John Lewis

We walked down to John Lewis and took a series of escalators to the top floor from where I took the above photo.

The electronics department

We went first to the department selling computers and phones. I think I have mentioned that Tigger is planning to buy a new iPhone and she wanted to look at the various current models and versions. This enabled her to decide which to buy when the time comes.

Wool and lots of it

We next went to a completely different department, that selling wool. After carefully considering everything available (and there was lots of choice), Tigger bought wool for her next crochet project.

Cabmen’s shelter with pigeons

We walked to Hanover Square where we saw this cabmen’s shelter. It was closed off for some reason but what drew our attention was the flock of pigeons enjoying the sunshine on the roof.

Taking their ease

Pigeons (or “my friends”, as Tigger refers to them) have a difficult life and it’s pleasant to see them in a rare moment of quiet enjoyment.

Hanover Square Gardens

We walked through the gardens at the centre of Hanover Square. The square was laid out in the early 18th century and took its name from King George I who was also Elector of Hanover.

St George’s Hanover Square

We passed in front of the striking Church of St George, Hanover Square, built in the early 18th century (1721-5).

Sotherby’s

Nearby is the premises of the famous auctioneers, Sotherby’s.

The Coach and Horses

In Bruton Street, we admired the Coach and Horses standing on its corner in all its half-timbered and stained-glass glory. However, it may not be all that it seems: though the pub was originally built in the 1770s, because of damage sustained by an adjacent building, it had to be demolished and was rebuilt in its present form in 1933.

Bus stop, Green Park

Soon after, we reached Piccadilly where it passes Green Park and there, at the farthest point of our outing, we waited for a bus.

Aboard the 38

We boarded a number 38 bus and sat in our favourite rear seats.

Mount Pleasant

We left the bus at Mount Pleasant, hoping to catch the local branch of Caffè Nero still open.

In Caffè Nero

They were still open and there was an hour left before closing, so we could enjoy a leisurely coffee.

Wilmington Square, north side

We decided to walk home and made our way first to Wilmington Square where we walked along the unusual narrow lane in front of the north-side houses.

Lloyd Square

We crossed through Lloyd Square with its “forbidden garden” (that is, a garden accessible only to residents). I’m not envious in the least 🙂

The sunset from Lloyd Square
Photo bt Tigger

Our last photo, taken by Tigger, is of the sunset as seen from Lloyd Square. If the old rhyme is to be believed, a red sky at night is a promise of fine weather tomorrow. We shall see.