The weather today was at least dry, which was a blessing because, as I mentioned, my shoes let in the water. I had seriously been thinking of tying plastic bags over my shoes but that was fortunately not necessary. I have ordered new shoes from Vegetarian Shoes in Brighton and they should reach me on Thursday.

The kitten in the window
Photo by Tigger

We passed through Claremont Square and, as usual, looked for the kitten who is sometimes in the window. He was there today, apparently fast asleep.

A promising sky

The sky looked promising with blue showing between white clouds. This gave hope of sunny intervals and no rain.

Coffee at Myddelton’s

By the time we reached Myddelton’s, the weather was suitable for sitting outside with our coffee. However…

Clouds were gathering

…the clouds were beginning to thicken and turn dark. I crossed my fingers that it would not rain.

The marquee has gone

Passing through Lloyd Square, I looked over the railings into the gardens to see how the marquee was progressing (see Shopping and a walk). It had disappeared! So, for whatever purpose it had been erected, that was over and done with. I shall never know what it was for.

Pavement garden

In Granville Street, we came upon this pavement garden. I’ve already mentioned the one in Claremont Square and it now seems that it is not an isolated example, as we shall see.

Granville Square Gardens

Granville Street leads to the square of the same name which has a central garden and a play area for children.

The sun came out in Granville Square

As we walked round the square, the sun made a brief appearance and so, of course, I caught it on camera!

Riceyman Steps

From Granville Square, we descended by Riceyman Steps, location of the fictitious second-hand bookshop in Arnold Bennet’s novel of the same name.

Looking back

The steps are quite dramatic in their way, I suppose, and add an interesting detail to the landscape.

A head in the garden

Riceyman Steps led us down to King’s Cross Road, along which we began walking in the direction of the station. We spied something in a front garden. It looked like a severed head but fortunately it was artificial.

The Prince Albert

To me, there is always something rather sad about a pub that no longer functions as such. This one, on the corner of Acton Street and King’s Cross Road, bears the name of the Prince Albert. The original pub was probably Victorian but the current building dates from 1922. It closed in 2005 (so the pandemic is not to blame) and is now rented out as offices.

Pigeons strike lucky
Photo by Tigger

Residents had been putting out rubbish ready for collection. This pair of pigeons had struck lucky and found food. We were careful not to disturb them by going too close.

Another pavement garden

Further along in Acton Street we found another pavement garden, one of those created around the base of an existing tree. This one has been carefully arranged and tended. Affixed to the tree is a notice which illustrates one of the problems attendant on such gardens: it asks the thief who had stolen plants from the garden to cease doing so. The garden is provided by the community for the pleasure of all and should be respected.

Winged lions above a doorway

I have already indicated that our neighbourhood is a place of many lions, from lion-head door knockers through lion-face plaques to whole-body representations. This building that is currently occupied by a Travelodge hotel had a pair of winged lions above the entrance. And these are winged lions, not griffons, which are half-lion and half-eagle.

Lion-face plaque on a building

In St Chad’s Place we find one of the aforementioned plaques, representing a lion’s face. His mouth is open as though he is roaring but he doesn’t look very fierce.

A glimpse of the Underground

By holding the camera above a wall I was able to obtain a glimpse of the Underground. Despite its name, London Underground, much of this railway system is actually above ground or in cuttings open to the sky.

St Chad’s Place

St Chad’s Place ends in this narrow alley passing through buildings. It brings us back into King’s Cross Road.

Field Street

We also explored this cobbled street called Field Street. It is a cul de sac and short, though not the shortest street in London. There are still quite a few cobbled streets in London. They may not be very comfortable to drive on but they are very durable.

Victorian monograms

The Victorians liked experimenting with fonts and creating clever monograms. Here we have two. One easy to decipher – it is “DA” or “AD” – but what about the other?

The foundation date

The second one is the building’s foundation date, 1888. The number lends itself to symmetrical rearrangement and the designer has taken advantage of this fact.

The weather was pretty abominable this morning and it was pelting with rain but we had a chore to do that we could put off no longer: to take the laundry to the local launderette. To make things worse, my shoes, my only pair, have sprung a leak. Yes, both shoes. Notwithstanding, we set out bravely with the loaded trolley.

Puddles everywhere

The gutters were running like rivers and every slight hollow in the road or pavement had become a pond.

A mournful Claremont Square

The sky was cloudy and the light dull, making for a mournful scene. We had a job to do, though, and pressed on.

Water, water, everywhere

There was water running along roads and running across roads.

Massive puddles collected

Large puddles collected, which would no doubt be used later by the pigeons for bathing. For now, the wildlife, and sensible humans, were taking shelter.

Running across the road

We delivered the laundry and crossed the road to Myddelton’s deli to buy coffee. There was no question of sitting outside today, so, coffee in hand, we hurried home, stopping only to photograph the water running across Inglebert Street.

Around midday, we thought about going out again because Tigger needed to buy socks. We put on our coats and hats and stepped outside. The rain was so heavy that we stepped right back inside again! We decided to have lunch in the hope that the conditions would be more amenable later.

Barely better

We tried again after lunch and found the conditions were barely improved. However, Tigger needed her socks and we would be dry both on the bus and in the shops so we set out.

Aboard the number 30 bus

We caught a number 30 bus which, we hoped, would deliver us more or less to the shops that Tigger wished to visit. If I sound slightly uncertain it is because there have been a lot of bus route changes lately and not always well publicised. Add to that temporary changes and bus stop closures owing to road works, and our uncertainty is understandable.

We left the bus here

We left the bus near Portman Square, quite a posh area of London.

Menswear dept, Marks & Spencer

We went into the nearby branch of Marks & Spencer and took the escalator to the menswear department. This is because Tigger prefers men’s socks to the female variety. She found what she wanted so the expedition was a success.

Down the escalator
Photo by Tigger

We went down the escalator and had a look around though there was nothing else that we wanted.

For eggs, apparently

Among the objects on display was a set of creations in wire. This one is apparently for holding eggs – not sure whether cooked or raw.

Ladies’ fashions

In the way out we passed through the ladies’ fashions department and Tigger amused me by pointing to displays and specifying the period they came from, according to her: “1950s… 1970s… 1990s…” Don’t M&S sell modern clothes at all? 🙂

Oxford Street

We exited into Oxford Street, London’s famous, and therefore busy, shopping street. Any store with pretensions of being important has to have a branch here. As you might imagine, it is not one of my favourite places.

Selfridge’s

We passed in front of Selfridge’s but, happily, did not go in. Perhaps you have seen the TV series about the American Harry Gordon Selfridge who founded the store in 1908 and became rich and famous but died in relatively straightened circumstances in 1947. A lesson of some kind, no doubt.

Gee’s Court

We went into this curious area, called Gee’s Court, in search of coffee. There were several places but we chose the Euphorium Bakery as there were few customers in there.

Inside Euphorium

We sat at a table to drink our coffee, just like in the “old days” (i.e. before Covid).

Sunshine!

While we were sitting there, the sun suddenly put in an appearance and as it was such a rare occurrence, I thought I had better take a photo! I didn’t expect it would last.

Still shining

But, actually, it did and was still shining when we left the cafe, so I took another photo just in case I wasn’t believed!

Walking in Oxford Street

We continued walking along Oxford Street but now looking for a stop where we could catch a bus home.

Today’s pigeon picture

Along the way, we spied a gathering of “my friends”, as Tigger calls them, pigeons, in other words. So I stopped to take a photo.

Aboard a number 73

It wasn’t long before we found a stop where we could board a number 73 bus. It carried us safely back to the Angel, concluding our outings for today.

Originally posted on May 23rd 2021, ed-edited with additions on May 25th 2021.

The weather continues cloudy with showers and a gusty windy that makes it feel colder than the thermometer indicates.

Cloudy skies over White Lion Street

As usual on Sundays, we started the day with a shopping run to Sainsbury’s.

Chapel Market – no tables and chairs

In Chapel Market, both the Farmers’ Market and the usual market were in full swing. One thing was noticeable: the complete absence of tables and chairs in the road in front of the pub and cafes. The pub and the Millennium Cafe had a couple of tables on the pavement but that was all. It’s as though they have all suddenly realised that they are allowed to serve customers inside and no longer need to provide covered seating outside.

Sainsbury’s – averagely busy

Sainsbury’s was averagely busy for a Sunday morning but we were soon finished because this week we needed relatively few items. That was a pity in one sense because I had a voucher for triple points but there is no sense in buying more than you need just to grab points. One can also be happy about spending less!

It’s beginning to rain

As I hurried ahead through the market to buy the coffee, it was beginning to rain, though not heavily. Coffee in hand, we returned home to put away the shopping and have lunch.

Balloons and flag

After lunch, we went out for a walk. In view of the weather, we remained in the local neighbourhood. In Pentonville Road, we spotted several cars decorated with flags. This one also had a collection of balloons on the roof. What was it about? It turns out that tomorrow, May 24th, is the anniversary of Eritrea’s independence (1991) from Ethiopia, and the occupants of the cars were in celebratory mood.

Cruikshank Street

We walked down Cruikshank Street and, along the way, noticed something odd about the numbering of the houses. The numbers were not in sequence. That’s all I can say at present as it will take more research to find out the reason for this.

In Cumberland Gardens

Cruikshank Street becomes Holford Street and leads into Great Percy Street, off which is the pleasant Cumberland Gardens.

Pretty flowers

In front of one of the houses was a bush or shrub full of tiny but beautiful flowers.

A marquee in Lloyd Square

Lloyd Square, you may remember, is one of the few squares whose central garden is still private to residents. The most we can do is to peer over the hedge. Today, we saw that they are in the process of erecting a marquee. Perhaps the square is going to celebrate a festival of some kind.

Wilmington Square Gardens

We later passed by Wilmington Square, one of those whose garden is open to the public. We did not go in on this visit so I made do with a quick photo.

Covered with mirrors
Photo by Tigger

In Merlin Street we spied a strange sight in an upper window. At a quick glance, it looked like a dressmaker’s dummy but closer observation showed that it was covered with reflective tiles or mirrors. I have no idea of its purpose (if, indeed, it has one).

Carriage entrance no more

Further allong is this rather fine arched entrance with a pair of gates. I assume it was origianlly intended as a carriage entrance though that usage has been discontinued by the placing of a bollard in the centre of the passage at the far end.

Hardewixcke Street

We entered Hardwicke Street and I stepped into the road to take a photo avoiding the parked vehicles, A car came round the corner behind me and passed very close, obviously not expecting to find a pedestrian in the way. Near miss!

Decorative lamp with faces

Where Hardwicke Street meets Rosebery Avenue stands a building, now residential, that was once the offices of the New River Company. In front of it is a pair of elegant lamps. I had not previously noticed that they are decorated with human faces.

Wonky lamp

No, I’m not holding the camera crooked! The street lamp is definitely leaning at a drunken angle. Perhaps the roots of the nearby tree have pushed it out of alignment.

War memorial and pigeons, Spa Green

We walked through Span Green Gardens. The pigeons, some perched on the memorial, others on the grass, seemed in happy mood. People feed them and so they are not as anxious to find food as other street pigeons and have more time for socialising.

A pleasant green oasis

Spa Green is quite small as parks go but it is pleasant and provides a welcome green osasis among the built-up streets.

New River Head Gardens

These gardens cover part of the area that originally comprised the New River Head, that is, the terminus of Hugh Myddelton’s aqueduct. I have seen an old photo which shows the area covered by lakes. All water now is confined underground.

The pub vine

We turned into Arlington Way and from there into Myddelton Passage. I thought I was the one who was obsessed by the pub vine but it turns out that Tigger is also! It was she who pointed out that there are already signs of grape clusters growing, still tiny, of course, but visible if you look carefully.

Gate to the viewing platform

The gate was open to the New River Head viewing platform so we went in. There are panels of information and illustrations but…

Obstructed view

…the view is disappointing as it is obstructed by new buildings and the growth of the gardens. There are plans to “develop” the New River Head, making it public access and this will no doubt degrade the historic site even further.

The church screened by foliage

We made our way home, passing through Myddelton Square. The trees are recovering their foliage nicely but the dull conditions do not show the gardens to best advantage. Let’s hope the weather improves soon.

Today we made an outing to Walthamstow. We were meeting a friend later on at the William Morris Gallery which we hoped to visit.

Aboard the 55 bus

We caught a number 55 bus to Walthamstow Central.

Walthamstow Central bus station

The bus brought us to Walthamstow bus station and we walked from there to the Mall.

The Mall

The Mall is one of Walthamstow’s main shopping centres. As we had some time before our friend reached us, we came here for a coffee break.

Pret A Manger

We tried Costa but there were no seats left (seating has been reduced everywhere to enable social distancing to be maintained). So we went to Pret instead.

Walthamstow Market

We walked throughWalthamstow Market which is quite large and was very busy.

Poundland

We visited Poundland (yes, we’re cheapskates 🙂 ) but didn’t buy anything.

Wilko

We also walked round Wilko’s, just to look, really, as we had no purchases in mind.

Hassan’s

This looks more like a tip than a shop, doesn’t it? But it is a shop.

Old Burton’s store

We have seen and photographed this building on previous visits. It’s an old store built by the Burton’s tailors chain. There are foundation stones visible dated 1931.

The cat in the window

We made our way from the Mall to the William Morris Gallery. On the way we spotted a cat at the window of a house and of course took a photo of it! The cat seemed less impressed than we were!

Decorative doorway

We photographed this unusually decorative doorway. It belonged to what is now a residential block. The lettering seems to spell out “Norwood House”. It was apparently built in 1895 by a Mr Norwood, a butcher of Walthamstow.

The Rose and Crown

This fine old pub rejoices in a traditional pub name and has so far escaped the modern fad of giving pubs stupid new names.

The William Morris Gallery

When we reached the William Morris Gallery, our friend had not yet arrived. To visit, we had needed to reserve timed tickets. We had arrived too late for those we had reserved and so did not manage to visit the Gallery on this occasion.

The gallery garden

Behind the house is a large and well kept garden. Today it was full of visitors.

A water feature

There was water in the garden but I didn’t have the opportunity to discover whether it is an artificial body of water or perhaps a live spring or river.

The gallery cafe

The gallery has a cafe, called the Larder, and you can enter this without a timed ticket. We came here to have coffee and wait for our friend.

The Bell

Our friend finally arrived and we started back towards Walthamstow Central and the Mall where we intended to have lunch. On the way we passed a pub called the Bell which bears the date 1906.

The Turkish restaurant

For lunch, we went to the Turkish restaurant called Gökyüzü. We have eaten here several times previously and so we were confident in the quality of the food. We were not disappointed.

In the restaurant

We had my favourite in Turkish cuisine, lentil soup, followed by pide with Turkish tea.

Aboard the 55

Our friend went off in one direction and we in another. We boarded the 55 bus and just in time as it started to rain. During the journey, though, the sky cleared.

Aboard the 38

At Clapton Pond we transferred to a 38 bus which brought us back to the Angel and home.

We were sorry to have missed a chance to revisit the William Morris Gallery but, all being well, there will be other opportunities.

Flowers
Photo by Tigger

We decided that the time had come to have our first post-lockdown meal out, in a restaurant or cafe – an adventure of sorts. Tigger took the above photo as we walked along Pentonville Road.

Not very pleasant weather

The only downer was that the weather was rather unpleasant with rain and a gusty wind that made it feel cold. Gluttons for punishment that we are, we nonetheless set out on foot.

The Angel Crossroads

As today is a weekday, the roads and streets were quite busy. Shops and eateries were open and finding plenty of customers.

Liverpool Road and Upper Street

There is an embarrassment of choice in Upper Street for places to eat as it is lined with restaurants, pubs and takeaway food outlets. We had an idea where to go, provided it wasn’t too busy to accept us.

Upper Street and tram shed

Here we are walking along Upper Street, with the tram shed in the background. It is still enclosed in builders’ screens and we await its next opening with interest.

Islington Green

We passed by Islington Green but the weather was not suitable for sitting or strolling in parks so, like Felix, we kept on walking.

St Mary’s Church

When we reached St Mary’s Church, we could feel that we were well on our way to our goal but there was still some distance to travel.

Leading to Islington Square

I took a photo in passing of this passageway. It possibly has a name but if so, I don’t know what it is. It is one of those leading to Islington Square, the new “development” of shops and entertainment venues that has supplanted the old post office and sorting office. I have yet to explore the area properly but it’s on the list!

The Workers’ Cafe

This is where we had been heading, to the Workers’ Cafe. We used to come here often in the “old days”, before the pandemic, so it seemed reasonable to come here for our first “inside meal”.

There is an extensive menu

Like most cafes of the sort, the Workers’ has a very extensive menu. The photo shows just one side. On the other side is a list of drinks and still more food items. You’d be hard pressed not to find something you like.

Inside the Workers’ Cafe

I was glad to find that the place wasn’t crowded. It was easy to find a table. The decor is simple and basic but clean and as there were several people serving, we did not have to wait long. As it happens, they made a mistake with my order but put it right without any fuss.

Buildings of different dates and designs

After lunch, we had to face the journey home. Once again we walked and so had to confront the wind and rain.

St Mary’s Path
Photo by Tigger

For a variation, we left Upper Street by this leafy lane called St Mary’s Path that runs beside the church of the same name.

Street art by Zabou
Photo by Tigger

From the Path we went by Rothery Street into Gaskin Street where Tigger photographed this piece of street art, signed by Zabou.

Passing Islington Green again

From Gaskin Street into Essex Road where we passed Islington Green again but on the other side.

Camden Passage

We sidelined the main road by going along Camden Passage, once famous for its antiques shops and markets but these days more a foodie’s paradise.

From here we were soon home and I, for one, was glad finally to take refuge from the rain and wind. Let’s hope tomorrow’s weather is better for our planned outing.