Tigger went into the office for the first day of this week’s three-day stint. A glance through the window showed a rather miserable weather scenario, not conducive to solo rambles.

In addition, my ongoing ailment made me feel less than merry, so much so that I decided to call the surgery and speak to the doctor whom I have already consulted. She was very sympathetic and, better still, reassuring. In addition, she promised to send a prescription to the pharmacy for me to collect. Who says NHS personnel don’t deserve a good payrise?

After lunch, then (having first phoned the pharmacy to make sure the prescription had arrived and been dispensed), I set out into the aforementioned miserable weather – the above photo will give you an idea of it. Happily, it was not actually raining during my outing though the wind made it feel colder than the thermometer suggested and threatened to make off with my hat a couple of times.

Back to the beginning

I expect you are tired of stories of water leaks but I couldn’t forebear commenting on the unfolding story. Leak number 1 is once again enclosed in a barrier. Closer inspection reveals why.

Opened up again

Whatever they were trying to do when I photographed them yesterday obviously didn’t work and they have had to open up the trench again. At least the flow has been stopped.

Extending their territory

Down the hill at leak number 2, there was no work in progress but they have extended their territory quite a bit. My guess is that this is the make sure there is a big enough area free of parked cars for the big lorries that they have been using.

The hole is dry

Here, too, the hole is dry, suggesting that they have at least stopped the leak. But for how long?

More woe for motorists

In Inglebert Street, I found more woe for motorists, at least for those who park their cars here. Parts of the parking lane on both sides of the road have been cordoned off in advance of “Essential Tree Works”, as the bright yellow notice explains.

Essential Tree Works

I like the way that, in the text, an attempt has been made to print the words “red” and “white” in the colours they express except that, because of the background colour, “white” is actually yellow! But let’s not be picky. They tried.

A bird feeder

I’m not sure whether I showed you this before or not. Someone has installed a bird feeder in this street tree. I have never seen any birds feeding from it and I don’t think there is actually any food in it. A good idea but poor follow-through!

Prospecting pigeon

On the way home from the pharmacy, I was grumbling to myself about the cold, damp conditions and then I met a pigeon prospecting for food and I reflected that I was at least going back to a comfortable home whereas the pigeons and other wild life are out in all weathers all the time. No cosy bed at night, not cups of hot tea during the day, and always on the hunt for food. As I thought this, the pigeon took flight, no doubt hoping to find better pastures elsewhere.

Myddelton Square Gardens

I took a photo of Myddelton Square Gardens. It seemed deserted and even the resident pigeons were nowhere to be seen. Still, I am sure there will be sunnier days to come when we can bring our coffee here and watch the various denizens at work and play. Knowing the UK, we could be basking in tropical sunshine tomorrow. Anything is possible.

Children’s playground

For once, I was able to take a photo of the children’s playground in Myddelton Square Gardens. Almost always there are at least a few children and their parents here and parents are apt to take a dim view of solitary gentlemen taking photos of their children. Today it was deserted and I obtained my photo.

To end with a splash of vivid colour, I took a photo of an old friend who, from being a novelty, has become part of the neighbourhood. We would miss him if he disappeared.

Wild Kong

The sun returned today and it was pleasantly warm. We took a leisurely stroll through familiar territory and decided it was warm enough to take our coffee in the open air.

Claremont Square

This was the scene in Claremont Square (looking back for a change) when we set out.

Leak number 2, work in progress

This was the scene at water leak number 2 today. There were four workmen on site but the the usual conventions were in force: one man was down in the hole (much enlarged) doing the work while three remained above, presumably contributing moral support.

The Curvaceous Tree

We walked round Myddelton Square where I photographed my favourite, the Curvaceous Tree, looking cheerful in the sunshine, perhaps dreaming of a new summer suit of green leaves.

Myddelton Square Garden
Photo by Tigger

The gardens also looked inviting and there were people taking their ease there, but we continued on round the square, heading for the deli.

Fine old tree

I did stop to admire this fine old tree, reaching up to the clear, blue sky above.

Firey plant

We also liked this shrub which seemed to be on fire with its red flowers bright against the green leaves.

Amwell Street

Amwell Street was half in shadow and half in sunlight as it typically is at this time of year. It was doing its impression of a sleepy village street, which, in some ways, is what it is, despite being in a city. We bought our coffee at Myddelton’s deli and headed downhill towards Percy Circus.

Panorama in Percy Circus

We found a bench in the sun in Percy Circus and there drank our coffee. We both like this little circular garden in the middle of a round “square” and feel at ease here.

A squirrel visits

A squirrel came darting across the road into the garden, bravely coming near us. Then he scurried up the tree and along a branch to where he found something to eat. What it was I do not know.

Entrance to Bevin Court

For the return journey we started back through Bevin Court, the reverse of the way we usually go.

Flowers in the wind
Video by Tigger

Tigger videoed these flowers dancing in the wind and…

Daffodils

…I photographed some daffodils.

Cruikshank Street

We walked uphill along Cruikshank Street where over the Christmas period we had photographed wreaths and other decorations. The houses are of a different pattern each side of the street: on the left, Classical with Greek pediments over the doors and, on the right, more informal with clamshell designs over the doors.

On the way down, we had looked at leak number 1 and found it was still flowing merrily. On the way back, we saw this:

Repairing it again

Yes, they are having another go at mending it. I don’t think it was our imagination that the two men did not like being photographed and instinctively turned their faces away from the camera. Perhaps they were embarrassed by the fact that it had started leaking again only a few days after they had supposedly fixed it. We await with interest the outcome of their efforts.

Visiting my computer

This little winged beetle, which I have photographed previously (see Small creature), pays a visit to my computer every so often and then disappears again. Of course, it could be a different one each time but I like to think it’s the same one and to wonder what it does when it’s not on my computer. Mysterious lives that are hard to fathom!

It was a few degrees warmer today (9°C) than recently but rather cloudy. We had several tasks to perform and these acted as the backbone on which to hang the skeleton of our walk.

Chapel Market

First, we went to Chapel Market. Although (as you no doubt remember) the market is closed on Mondays, the shops are open (those that are allowed to open under the current restrictions, that is).

Tigger is in there somewhere

Tigger needed to go to Superdrug and while she was inside, I preferred to wait outside, remembering to stand away from the door to avoid people forming a queue behind me!

The fruit and veg shop

We paused at the fruit and veg shop, not to buy anything, but to admire the colours and to wonder what the brown vegetables were in the basket in front in the left. We concluded that they were probably yams.

The pet shop was open

The pet shop was open and, as we always did in the “old days”, we looked to see if the pet shop cat was visible but he was not.

Church of St Silas

In Penton Street, I took a photo of the Church of St Silas. Whenever I pass it, the name gives me pause because “Silas” is the pseudonym I gave my neighbour in the flat above whose death was an important event in our lives (see Death of a pigeon-fancier).

I think they’ve had a delivery!

This shop in Penton Street was open and I think it’s fair to say that they’ve just had a delivery! Good luck with carrying in and storing that little lot!

Blossoms at the reservoir

We entered Amwell Street but turned into Claremont Square, passing the reservoir, where we spotted these blossoms glowing pink against the darker grass. More indications of spring.

Magpie in a tree

This magpie was being very active in a tree. I couldn’t quite see what he was doing but, from watching other birds along the way, I suspect he was eating berries.

Parakeets
Video by Tigger

Back in Amwell Street, we spotted two parakeets in a tree. They had found a crop of berries and were making the most of the opportunity. Tigger made a video of them as we passed under their tree.

Parakeet
Photo by Tigger

Later, Tigger obtained this closer view of a parakeet (they don’t like you coming too close) and you can see the pretty green plumage.

Snowy white blossom

In Lloyd Square, we were impressed by the snowy white blossom of this tree.

There were more!

Then we turned the corner and there were more!

Like little bells

Nearer the ground, these plants were boasting new growth like little bells.

I needed to pick up something from the doctor’s surgery and while I was doing that, Tigger looked around and found more pretty things to show you.

Flowers by Tigger

Cats by Tigger!

Yes, well, we like cats too!

Having visited the surgery, I rejoined Tigger and we made way to Myddelton’s deli. While Tigger ordered the coffee, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription and then joined her in the deli. We then started for home.

At the site of the second water leak (see yesterday’s post), we discovered someone’s archaeological trophies laid out on top of a bollard.

Archaeological trophies

Someone had carefully sifted through the pile of earth excavated to reach the leak and had found pieces of old crockery and other items that must have lain buried since the road was built. Then, having collected and displayed them, they went away and left them there!

Still leaking

On the way home, we passed the supposedly repaired leak which, as you can see, is still leaking, much as it did before. The Thames Water van that I mentioned yesterday, was parked in the same place, more or less beside the leak. We concluded that it must be a van whose driver lives in the neighbourhood and uses the square as a car park. Its presence beside the water leak is thus a coincidence.

And to finish, here are a couple more flower pictures from Tigger.

Flowers by Tigger

Today I went for a “proper outing”. It was only to Sainsbury’s for the weekly shopping run but it is a step back to normality after being unwell and is therefore welcome.

Tailback in Pentonville Road

For quite a few weeks already, gas repair works have reduced traffic flow in Pentonville Road to a single lane. Whether these works are the only reason or whether there are other contributing factors, it causes a continual slow-moving stream day and night. It’s usually not too difficult to cross the road but you have to watch for cyclists, motorcycles and electric scooter riders threading between cars and buses at speed and without due care and attention.

White Lion Street

I took this photo of the eastern section of White Lion Street, not for any reason other than that it part of that Islington that I have come to know and love as my home territory. Vehicles are not allowed to turn left into the High Street at the bottom of Pentonville Road and would-be left-turners are sent down here instead. This is why an apparently minor road attracts a lot of traffic.

I have probably mentioned previously that White Lion Street takes its name from a tavern for drovers that was here in the 18th century. One of the few facts known about the tavern is that it possessed a bowling green, a not uncommon feature of taverns of the time.

The Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays and has done so throughout the pandemic. It has always looked busy, as it does again today. We have never bought anything here – perhaps we should.

The stall selling plants and greenery was set up in White Conduit Street, as usual. It boasts a large spread on both sides of this now short street. The White Conduit was a stone water channel supplying various establishments in the 18th century. Whether the source was a well or a spring, I have yet to discover – descriptions of it vary, making it hard to form a unified image. The street used to be longer than it is today, its latter length now buried under Sainsbury’s car park and, possibly, Tolpuddle Road.

Angel Centre refurbished

After our shopping was done, I hurried on ahead of Tigger to Mercer’s. I did stop on the way to take a quick snap of the Angel Centre. Builder’s barriers have been in place for several months hiding the works that have been in progress. The barriers were down today, allowing a view of the results. Not a lot seems to have been done except to add a walkway from one side to the other, passing under the angel’s wings. I will take a closer look another time. The wings, by Wolfgang Buttress, date from 2003. The Council planned to remove them but they were saved as a result of a citizen’s campaign, though I believe some kind of modifications are intended.

Chapel Market

I also took a photo of the street market – such as it was. These days it is but a shadow of what it normally is on a Sunday. What stalls are in operation (and at least one of them is run by the fruit and vegetable shop behind it) seem to be doing good business. A market has been in existence here from the later 19th century but the street has been called Chapel Market only since 1936. Before then, it was known as Chapel Street after the nonconformist chapel, St James’s Pentonville, that was sited here but was demolished long ago.

At Mercer’s, I was the only customer and was therefore served quickly. We had managed to fill up our loyalty card and so received one coffee free of charge. Yay us 🙂

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It was good to have a “normal” outing again. Though I am not fully recovered I think things are moving in the right direction. We have things to do at home today and so that will be our only outing. Tomorrow, though, is another day and we shall see what it brings.