The sun is shining

Today at last there has come a change in the weather: the sun is shining and the air feels warmer. The sunshine is rather pale but it is at least sunshine and makes us feel more cheerful.

Myddelton’s deli

We felt it was warm enough to have coffee at the deli, sitting outside on their new red chairs.

Aboard the 214

After our pleasant coffee break, we walked up to the main road and caught a number 214 bus.

Camden Town Underground Station

The bus deposited us in Camden High Street near the tube station. For years, I arrived daily at this station and then walked along the road to the polytechnic in Kentish Town where I worked as a lecturer.

In the craft shop

We went first to the craft shop where Tigger bought some needed items.

Parkway

Afterwards, we walked up this long and busy street called Parkway.

Palmer’s Pet Stores

One of the inhabitants of this street is the Grade II listed Palmer’s Pet Stores. The shopfront has been preserved but I am glad to say that the original business – selling exotic animals – is long gone. The premises has been used by various businesses ever the years and the current occupant is Gail’s bakery.

The Dublin Castle

Shining cheerfully in the sunshine was the pub called The Dublin Castle. Now describing itself as a music venue, it originally opened in 1856, its name chosen to attract the Irish labourers working in the nearby railway. Next door to it is the curiously named music charity shop Rock ‘n’ Roll Rescue.

A survivor

This building also caught our eye, contrasting with its newer and less elegant neighbours. The relief above the door is hard to read but seems to indicate a late 19th-century date for the building.

One Shot Coffee Bar

We made a pause in a coffee bar called One Shot though, this time around, I had tea in preference to coffee.

Houses in Park Village West

We came upon a crescent with the intriguing name of Park Village West. It is not really a village as such but contains some large and impressive houses.

St Katherine’s Danish Church

Returning to the main road, we passed what turned out to be the Grade II* listed Danish Church, dedicated to St Katherine. We did not visit it this time.

St George’s Cathedral

Further along the road we found this striking Classical-style church. In fact, it is St George’s Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, originally consecrated in 1837 as an Anglican church. It is currently closed to the public as it is in a dangerous condition.

Entering Regent’s Park

We came at last to the Royal Park called (The) Regent’s Park and went in. It presented a lively scene with strollers like us, dog walkers, football practice and, not least, birds and water fowl to observe.

A glimpse of water

The park has open areas, including soccer and rugby pitches, stands of trees and a large lake which has a number of river-like branches.

A heron

There are birds of all kinds in the park, including water fowl. We spotted this heron, seemingly in meditative mood.

Bridge across the lake

We crossed the lake by this bridge.

Coots and black-headed gulls

As we crossed, we saw that, as in St James’s Park (see To St James’s Park), black-headed gulls were present in large numbers, sometimes provoking a tetchy response from the resident coots.

The heron

As we crossed, we had seen the heron fly over the lake and, in reaching the other side, we found him there, as meditative as before.

Marylebone Parish Church

After a longish walk through the park, we reached Marylebone Road near the early 1800s Marylebone Parish Church.

Planetarium Dome, Madame Tussaud’s

A further walk brought us along Marylebone Road to Madame Tussaud’s and, thankfully, a bus stop.

Aboard the 205

We caught a very crowded number 205 bus and endured a not too comfortable journey back to the Angel.

Lunch in view

By happy chance, beside the bus stop where we left the 205 is a small, friendly cafe called L’Angelo. It is small but we found a table and enjoyed a leisurely lunch. After this, we walked home and rested from our long but interesting walk.