The weather was not promising when we started out this morning.

Cloudy skies in Amwell Street

p>Notwithstanding the cloudy skies, we headed to the deli for coffee and were able to grab a table.

Coffee for two
Photo by Tigger

While we were a-coffeeing, the clouds parted and the sun shone… for a while. It continually alternated between clouds and sunshine.

Upper Street

Afterwards, we set off along Upper Street as we had an errand to run.

Mountain Warehouse

Our destination was a shop selling articles for hikers, campers and climbers.

Inside Mountain Watehouse

This is not really my kind of shop but there was a particular item that I needed. We found it and bought it. (More about that in a later post.)

Aboard the 214

We took our purchases home and then caught a number 214 bus.

Entrance to Parliament Hill Fields

We left the bus in Highgate Road near an entrance to Parliament Hill Fields, part of Hampstead Heath.

Laz Bistro Restaurant

Nearby were two restaurants, Al Parco and Laz. We know both and today plumped for Laz.

Pizza Fiorentina

We chose a vegetarian Fiorentina pizza each. Every pizzeria makes the Fiorentina slightly differently but, whoever makes it, it is usually delicious.

Into the park

Afterwards, we entered the park and climbed up the slope that gives the Hill its name.

Lower pond

The Heath has several ponds and we tarried a while beside this one which is the lowest. We had a few bits and bobs for the ducks and coots which made us popular for a while!

Heron fishing
Photo by Tigger

On a small, possibly artificial, island, we could see a heron watching for fish. It was a long way out so the photo is not very clear.

Pigeon refuge

There were pigeons too but, unlike the ducks and coots who can feed on the water, pigeons can only alight on dry land. Because of the coming and going of people, the pigeons stayed perched on a branch watching enviously as we fed the water fowl. I did managed to give food to one of the pigeons, though.

The hilly path-

Afterwards we had a long climb up a hilly path.

A view of the City

We reached the top where there is a clear view to the distant City whose tall buildings stand on the horizon like a row of broken teeth.

Patches of buttercups

There were flowers in the grass, particularly large patches of bright yellow buttercups.

Looking back

From the top, we continued down towards the streets of Hampstead. In the lower reaches, there were more people sitting out on the grass including some quite large groups.

Out into Nassington Road

We left the Heath by a gate into Nassington Road. This is a long road that slopes upwards and after our previous climb, proceeding up it was hard work.

Hampstead Heath Station-

We emerged at Hampstead Heath Station in the South End Green district of Hampstead. I was relieved that our path was now downhill!

Inside Starbuck’s

We thought of going to a cafe for refreshments and a rest. Most places seemed crowded and we ended up in Starbuck’s which is far from being a favourite of mine though Tigger seems to like it.

Iced coffee and tea

Tigger had iced coffee but I preferred tea to Starbuck’s coffee. Even this was not very good as it was over-strong and stewed. I drank only a small amount.

Drinking fountain, South End Green

We now made for a bus stop, passing this beautiful Victorian (1880) drinking fountain. Unsurprisingly, it is a Grade II listed building.

Aboard the 46

We just missed the bus we wanted but we saw a 46 arrive. This would take us part of the way so we hurried and managed to catch it.

Changing at Kentish Town

We changed buses at Kentish Town. The building on the left with the black superstructure used to be, first, the North-Western Polytechnic and, later, part of the Polytechnic of North London. I was a lecturer here for a number of years before moving to the main precinct in Holloway Road where I spent 9 happy years lecturing in computer science.

Obsolete sign

Although this sign still advertises Indian food, that business it belonged to disappeared years ago. One evening when it still existed, we went in and tried to have a meal. The rather eccentric owner looked us up and down and remarked that he didn’t serve just anybody. In the impasse that followed, I happened to remark that I used to be a lecturer at the poly across the road. Unwittingly, I had pronounced the magic password and he thereupon agreed to serve us! After that one experience, though, we never returned. I shall never know whether my “password” would have worked a second time!

Aboard the 214

A 214 eventually arrived at the stop and we went aboard to be carried back to the Angel, completing today’s outing.

As I recounted in The computer returns, Curry’s returned my Dell laptop to me last Thursday, allegedly repaired. Having used it for a week, am I satisfied that the fault has indeed been put right?

Happily, the answer is yes. I have used the PC every day, sometimes intensively, and the touchpad pointer has shown no tendency to “flutter”.

There remins one small problem which, as far as I know, might be a Windows 10 problem rather than a problem with my laptop. This is that if I use the pointer to click on a link, the pointer remains “charged” for a few seconds afterwards and if, when I move it, it crosses another link, it activates that link without my say-so. I spend a lot of time closing links I didn’t want to open in the first place…

I remarked that months of coping with an unstable pointer had caused me to hate my new PC. Now that the fault has been repaired, has hate turned to love? No, I wouldn’t go that far. I am gradually becoming confident that the pointer no longer flutters and that the PC will do what I tell it to do – well, more or less and with a few hiccups here and there. If money were no object, I would probably sell it and buy something else. I won’t be buying from Dell again, that’s certain, and probably not from Curry’s either. Once bitten, twice shy.

Using Tigger’s Toshiba (which was the same model that I too had been using), was like a pleasant holiday and going back to the Dell was like returning to work. I am now kicking myself for buying a new PC instead of having the old one repaired. I could have had a few more years’ use out of it without the trouble that the Dell has caused me. Wise after the event.

For breakfast today we went to a cafe where we used to go every Sunday until the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our lives and brought about new patterns of behaviour.

Pret A Manger, Angel Central

I refer to the branch of Pret A Manger (no accents, please, we’re British) in the Angel Central shopping centre. There was a strange feeling of familiarity as we trundled the shopping trolley there today.

Fine dining, Pret style

We ordered our trademark coffee and croissants which were tastefully served in paper bags. (Though I joke about it, I find this reasonable as it saves washing up and reduces the risk of person-to-person infection.)

Farmers’ Market

On our way there, we passed by the Sunday Farmers’ Market and…

Fruit stall, Chapel Market

…went through the main Chapel Market. Neither was very busy, perhaps because of the rainy weather.

Tailbacks in Pentonville Road

After lunch, we bravely went out again, despite the unpleasant wet conditions. We first went to a bus stop in Pentonville Road but there was a long gap between buses and quite a crowd had gathered. We knew that the bus, when it eventually turned up, would be full, and the crowd would congest it even further. So we baled out and…

Waiting for a bus in St John Street

…went round to St John Street. Here, far fewer people were waiting and the buses were almost empty.

Aboard the 38

We boarded a number 38 bus and undertook the longish journey to Victoria, the neighbourhood around the railway station of that name. Why? Well, among other thoughts was that the station itself provided an undercover venue of interest and, in the event of heavy rain, we could stay there rather than walking the wet streets.

The bus station at Victoria

The 38 bus stops in the bus station which is just in front of the station, handy indeed for our purposes.

Victoria Station

As London’s railway stations go, Victoria, though not the most beautiful (that title probably goes to St Pancras), is quite fine in its way. It is really a double station (the picture shows only one part), whose parts were built in 1860 and 1862, respectively.

Out in the streets of Victoria

It wasn’t raining too heavily, so we set out to walk a little.

Streets shiny with rain

We walked through streets shiny with rain and were probably becoming shiny with rain ourselves!

Westminster Catholic Cathedral

We passed in front of the Westminster Catholic Cathedral (opened 1903) with its almost preposterously tall tower.

Westminster Council Staff Memorial

You might think on seeing this creation that it was intended as a modern-style work of art. In fact, it is a memorial to Westminster City Council Staff who lost their lives in the 1914-18 war. I can at least say of it that it is rather different from the general run of war memorials.

The Curzon Cinema

Tigger was looking for somewhere to have coffee and, having drawn a blank or two, made decidedly for the Curzon Cinema. She knew that this one, like most these days, had a cafe.

In the Curzon Cinema cafe

We found a nice little table with two comfortable armchairs, from which I took the above view.

Cafe and ticket office
Photo by Tigger

The cafe counter also doubles as the cinema’s ticket office, which, after all, makes sense.

Coffee and cake
Photo by Tigger

We ordered coffee and cake – well, we needed something cheering on such a dull, wet day!

“Little Ben”

One of my favourite objects here is the beautiful miniature clock tower, popularly known as “Little Ben” as it resembles the more famous Big Ben on the Houses of Parliament. (Yes, I know that “Big Ben” theoretically refers to the bell, not to the clock, but by now the whole world calls the clock Big Ben and only tetchy pedants object to this.) Little Ben was first set up in 1892, was removed in 1964 and restored in 1981. Removed again in 2012, it made its triumphal reappearance in 2016. Let’s hope it is now here to stay. (More information here.)

Back to Victoria Station

We now returned to Victoria Station and entered by the part originally built first for the Southern Railway.

Upper shopping area

We went up the escalator to the shopping area and had a look around. As nothing much caught our fancy, we…

Down the scalator

…went down the escalator and exited to the bus station.

Aboard the 38

Here we boarded a number 38 bus for home.

Sadly, the weekend is now drawing to a close (weekends are much too short!) but we at least have the evening ahead of us and will make the most of it.

It’s another fine sunny day, perfect for a carefree ramble.

Tree in flower, Claremont Square

Passing through Claremont Square, we paused to admire this tree covered in flowers. At its base is a tiny garden created by anonymous gardeners. At the moment, it has entered into the spirit of springtime and is magnificently overgrown.

The deli – all tables occupied

We of course called at the deli in Amwell Street for our coffee. Unsurprisingly on such a sunny day, all the tables were occupied.

Myddelton Square Garden

Hot cups in hand, we went along to Myddelton Square and found a bench in the central garden where we enjoyed our coffee in peaceful surroundings.

The pub vine

Afterwards, we walked down Arlington Way, pausing at Myddelton Passage to visit the pub vine which Tigger had not yet seen dressed in its fresh foliage. Tigger also noticed something else.

Tiny grapes have appeared

There were already tiny bunches of grapes forming! The vine is obviously full of life snd ready to produce its fruit. We shall continue to follow its progress through the year.

Old New River HQ

The turreted building that was once the offices of the New River Company (now a residential block) stood out in the sunshine behind its garden now full of flowers.

Saddler’s Wells Theatre

We reached Rosebery Avenue where I noticed that Saddler’s Wells Theatre ha acquired a strange red doorway. I don’t know what its purpose is (and it adds nothing to the aesthetics of the building) but I shall watch developments with interest.

Aboard the 38

We boarded a number 38 bus and sat in the “ejector seats”. Those are the seats beside the wheelchair area. Sitting here on one occasion, we were literally thrown onto the floor when the bus braked suddenly as a cyclist cut across its path. Fortunately, we were not hurt but we are now cautious of sitting here and hold onto the rail, just in case!

New Oxford Street

We left the bus in New Oxford Street and started walking.

Heading for Covent Garden

On foot, we crossed the lower end of High Holbourn towards Covent Garden.

Brightly coloured buildings

A characteristic of this area is that some of the buildings have been painted in unusually bright colours. This is not to everyone’s taste but some will find it cheerful.

Monmouth Street

We had a choice of where to go, Neal Street or Monmouth Street. Both are interesting but we chose Monmouth Street as we go that way less often.

To Neal’s Yard

We branched off Monmouth Street into an alley leading to Neal’s Yard. The Yard is famous and has been imitated elsewhere. It used to contain a lot of odd and “alternative” shops though today the premises seem to be mainly restaurants and takeaway food shops with a “healthy” bias. Each to to his own.

Neal’s Yard

Neal’s Yard today was less crowded and less lively than I remember it. Perhaps the current ethos has worn out and something new is needed to revitalise it.

Seven Dials

Returning to Monmouth Street, we continued to the top where there is a junction of seven streets, called Seven Dials. In the centre is a monument containing sundials. For more complete description, see this Wikipedia article. Traffic has a hard job moving through the junction because of people walking, standing and sitting here.

Caffè Nero

Here there is a small branch of Caffè Nero where we stopped off for refreshments. There is a second room for customers downstairs but it was empty. People preferred the ground floor room despite the cramped conditions.

A continuous queue

There was a continuous queue of new customers but, fortunately, most of these preferred to take their drinks away with them.

Piano as planter

Continuing on along Monmouth Street, we saw an old piano used as a planter and…

Any ghosts in view?

…visited an alley that is reputed to be haunted though we did not meet any ghosts.

St Martin’s Lane

Monmouth Street at last runs into – or, if you prefer, becomes – St Martin’s Lane. We went along here and looked at several eateries to see whether any of them appealed to us.

Brown’s restaurant

Among these was the well known Brown’s restaurant which occupies a building that was once a court of law.

Côte Brasserie

In the end, we chose Côte Brasserie. We had been here once before and on that occasion, I had distinguished myself by falling down in the entrance. I took care to remain vertical today!

Mushroom & Camembert Tart
Photo by Tigger

We both chose the Mushroom & Camembert Tart off the vegetarian menu. It comes with a bowl of cress with a dressing. It was good but not quite what I expected so a little disappointing.

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Walking on, we emerged at the lower end of Charing Cross Road in sight of the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. The church is still extant and in service but the fields in which it once stood disappeared under buildings long ago.

Trafalgar Square in view

Opposite St Martin’s is Trafalgar Square. Its remarkably talk pillar is still in place and is still occupied by an effigy of Sir Horatio Nelson, despite complaints and demands that he be removed because of his allegedly racist attitude. Arguments for and against will rumble on but I think the problem of what to do with the square – and, not least, what to call it – if its present resident were removed, will prevent any action being taken.

A bus to take us home

There was a bus at the stop beside Trafalgar Square and we hurried across to catch it and start our journey home. It was a good outing but it was also pleasant to leave the crowds behind and come home where we could make tea and relax.

Tigger and I agreed to meet for supper at a cafe called Black Olive in Goswell Road. I can reach the cafe either by taking a 153 bus or by walking. According to the Google Maps app on my phone, walking should take me 20 minutes so I chose that route.

Goswell Road at the clock tower

Goswell Road (the name is thought to derive from a well, called God’s Well, that existed hereabouts, though other etymologies have been proposed) splits off City Road, just below the Angel crossroads at the clock tower. The weather today is warm and sunny.

A many-chimneyed house

Just beyond the clock tower is Dalby House. Passing it today, I noticed for the first time what a lot of chimneys it has. There is a group of four in a conventional arrangement but, behind them, are more – an impressive row of 15! When you realise that a densely inhabitant London used coal fires for heating well into the 20th century, it’s no surprise that the city’s nickname was “The Smoke”.

Building with plaques

This building alway evokes a wry smile. I think today it is an office block but I am guessing it once housed a shipping company. That would explain the plaques. However, there is something odd about these. Here are three of them, working from right to left (I have ramped up the contrast to bring out the details):

They are quite nicely done and suited to their purpose of advertising a shipping company (if that is what it was). Here now is the fourth plaque:

Painted black

This plaque, though originally showing a coloured picture like the others, has been obscured by black paint. Why?

As it happens, I saw this plaque before its repainting. It showed a group of “field hands” – aka slaves – in a cotton field. The building’s owners seem to have responded to recent complaints about the displaying of symbols of slavery by obscuring the image. Some will approve while others will accuse them of trying to rewrite history.

Evening sunshine in Goswell Road

Even here, in a relatively quiet district, we are suffering from that contemporary pandemic, developeritis. Unnecessarily tall buildings are springing up, containing “luxury flats”, that do nothing to relieve the housing shortage for ordinary citizens. After recent fires and consequent loss of of life, I cannot imagine how people can reconcile themselves to living in tower blocks from which escape is difficult or even impossible in case of emergency.

Nearly there!

Tigger lets me know she has already arrived at Black Olive, prompting me to speed up. There was a moment of panic when my phone, for some reason, displayed the message “Invalid SIM”, and I was afraid of suddenly not being able to contact Tigger. I switched the phone off and then on again (the old “try this first” tactic) and everything seemed normal again.

Inside Black Olive
Photo by Tigger

I arrived and joined Tigger who was already seated at a table. The menu is a mixture of Turkish, “Mediterranean” and typical British cafe dishes. I made sure to order my favourite, Turkish tea. (This is made by a mysterious process involving a nested pair of kettles.)

Omelette and chips
Photo by Tigger

Today we chose nothing exotic (unless Turkish tea can be described as exotic), just a typical cafe item, omelette and chips.

At the bus stop

Afterwards, we went to the bus stop, handily positioned just outside the cafe, to wait for our bus which should arrive within 6 minutes, according to the bus app on our phones. And it did!

Aboard the 153

We boarded the single-deck 153. The only seats available were the narrow pair behind the driver so we rode with our knees jammed against the bulkhead. The journey was short, fortunately.

Familiar territory, the Angel crossroads

The bus deposited us in familiar territory at the Angel crossroads. It is Friday evening and what is it I often say on Friday evening? Oh, yes, that’s it: “The weekend starts here!”