It is another cold, cold day made worse by a chill wind. Despite wearing gloves, I find my finger tips becoming numb. Best not grumble, though, because, come the summer, we’ll be complaining of the heat!

In Sainsbury’s

We paid our customary visit to Sainsbury’s this morning. There have been reports in the media of shortages and of some stores rationing fruit though we were able to find everything we needed.

Signs of spring
Photo by Tigger

We went out again after lunch, braving the cold. I was pleased to see signs of spring here and there. These sweet little blooms were in a front garden by the main road.

St Mark’s and flowers
Photo by Tigger

Walking through Myddelton Square, we saw more blooms, first beside the church and…

Daffodills

Primroses
Photo by Tigger

…then in the square’s central garden.

Myddelton Passage

Walking through Myddelton Passage we were pleased to see that the builders’ scaffolding that has been covering the houses for several months had now been almost completely removed, returning the street to its normal appearance.

Sadler’s Wells and Rosebery Avenue

We crossed Rosebery Avenue whose trees are still bare from winter.

Spa Green

We entered the garden of Spa Green where…

Red berries
Photo by Tigger

…along with berries suggestive of autumn…

Flower
Photo by Tigger

…there were flowers promising spring.

Victory with pigeons

On the war memorial, Victory was accompanied by her usual cohort of pigeons.

Caffè Nero

In Exmouth Market, we made a pause at Caffè Nero.

Aboard the 19

After our coffee break we caught a number 19 bus.

Piccadilly

The 19 deposited us in Piccadilly.

Sculptures

We walked down St James’s Street and, in front of an apartment block, spied this pair of sculptures. There were no information panels so artist and titles are unknown. Make of them what you will.

St James’s Palace

Further down the road we came to St James’s Palace, a property of the monarch, first built in the 16th century but much rebuilt in the 19th, after serious fire damage.

Entering St James’s Park

We went into St James’s Park, one of the royal parks.

The lake

The park contains a large lake which is frequented by many species of water fowl from geese, ducks and coots to black-headed gulls.

Anything for me?
Photo by Tigger

This greylag goose approached us hoping for a gift of food. Unfortunately, we had nothing to contribute.

Westminster and Big Ben

Walking on, we came to Westminster and within sight of a famous landmark.

Parliament Street/Whitehall

We turned into a certain broad thoroughfare that Is known as Whitehall though in fact I think this lower section is called Parliament Street. Here we waited for a bus.

Aboard the 453

We boarded a 453 bus to start our journey home. It was a relief to be out of the cold which, for me at least, spoilt the outing.

Holles Street/Cavendish Square

We left the 453 near Oxford Circus and walked to Cavendish Square. Leading off that square is Holles Street where the 73 buses have their terminus. There was already a 73 on the stand but we had to wait while the driver had her rest period.

Aboard the 73

The 73 eventually opened it doors and allowed us to go aboard. Then we sped off heading for a certain district dear to my heart.

The stop in Baron Street

The 73 ferried us safely to the Angel and dropped us in Baron Street, a short walk from home, bringing today’s jaunt to an end. It was good to return home and to a warm interior!