Tigger again has Tuesday off work and we are going out and about. The sun is shining though the air is cold enough to numb ungloved fingers.

Myddelton’s deli

We started by going to the deli for coffee. For once we sat outside to enjoy the apricity (an old word, fallen out of use, that seems to be making a comeback). (The sun had moved away from the terrace by the time I took this photo, prompting us to move on.)

Spa Fields

We passed Spa Fields on our way to…

London Metropolitan Archives
Photo by Tigger

…the London Metropolitan Archives.

The study area

Having signed in, we left our coats and bags in a locker and went to the study area where I took the above discreet photo.

Maps

An assistant helped us locate the material we wanted to consult, maps and books about the history of our neighbourhood.

Somewhere here…

We live somewhere on this map though the map was drawn a hundred years or so before we arrived.

Back through Spa Fields

We spent some time in the Archives and afterwards walked back through Spa Fields

We met a squirrel

Here we met a squirrel who hoped we had food to give him.

Happy squirrel
Photo by Tigger

He was in luck as Tigger had something he liked – dried apricots – and he retired to a tree to eat it.

Cafe Maya

We continued on into Rosebury Avenue where Cafe Maya stands on a corner.

In Cafe Maya

We went into the cafe and had lunch.

Disaffected Fire Station

Walking out after lunch, we passed the fine old fire station that is no longer used. It is Grade II* listed so will at least be preserved.

Mount Pleasant

We turned along the street called Mount Pleasant which gives its name to the local district.

The road narrows-

Towards its end, Mount Pleasant narrows and slopes upwards but also winds like a sheep track.

Façadism

As we went along, we passed a building site where the old building has been gutted, leaving just the original façade, while the interior is entirely replaced. This is called by the neologism “façadism”. Is it better to at least keep the original façade or is this just adding insult to injury?

The Yorkshire Grey

We reached the main road where Clerkenwell Road becomes Theobald’s Road at the corner occupied by the Yorkshire Grey pub. Despite the inn sign that shows a mounted soldier, the Yorkshire Grey is a famous breed of working horse not the name of a military regiment.

Entering Gray’s Inn

By a gateway, we entered what looks superficially like a street but is in fact part of Gray’s Inn, one of the famous Inns of Court, historic societies of barristers. Members of the public are allowed in by permission only, meaning that this is considered private land.

Exit to High Holborn

We walked through and left by this covered way that debouches into the thoroughfare called High Holborn.

In Caffè Nero
Photo by Tigger

Here we allowed ourselves to be tempted by a Caffè Nero and went in for coffee.

In a bookshop
Photo by Tigger

This branch offers an interesting example of symbiosis as the cafe shares a premises with a bookshop. You walk through the bookshop to reach the cafe.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Walking on, we eventually reached a famous large garden square called Lincoln’s Inn Fields which takes its name from the nearby Lincoln’s Inn, another of the Inns of Court.

Drinking Fountain, 1861

At the entrance to the garden is this venerable drinking fountain, dated 1861, though no longer in working order.

Memorial to Margaret MacDonald

Within the garden are several memorials, the most striking of which is probably the Memorial to Margaret MacDonald whose sculpture was made by Richard Goulden.

London School of Economics

Emerging from Lincoln’s Inn Fields, we passed close by the world famous London School of Economics and Political Science.

World Globe

In the street nearby, we came upon this large world globe. You can judge its size in comparison to the human figure to the right. You might also notice its slightly unusual feature, namely that it is presented with the south pole uppermost.

Bush House

We emerged at Aldwych, crossing the road in front of another famous monument, Bush House. This Grade II listed building, built 1925-35, was for a while a BBC centre but is now occupied by King’s College (University of London).

Aboard the 341

At the Aldwych, we had 11 minutes to wait for a number 341 bus. It came at last and we found good seats for our journey home.

Evening light at the Angel

The bus delivered us safely to the Angel where the electric lights were taking over from the fading daylight. The streets, though, were busy with the usual movement of people travelling home after a day at work. We too were returning home and, happily, we did not have far to go!