As we had been out this morning and had enjoyed a longish ramble in Kentish Town, this afternoon we contented ourselves with a short walk to the deli and back. There were large, slow moving clouds leading to warm, sunny moments and cloudy cooler moments.

Myddelton Square, north side

We went round Myddelton Square, peaceful in the sunshine.

Sunshine in the trees

In the central garden, the trees were full of sunshine, a beautiful sight.

Doorstep flowers
Photo by Tigger

What I call the doorstep flowers (not knowing their proper name) had grown even thicker since I last photographed them.

Electra pedals by
Photo by Tigger

Electra was out, circling the church on her bicycle and Tigger snatched a quick shot of her.

The church in the trees

The church is gradually disappearing behind its screen of trees.

Street lamp and clouds

We decided it was warm enough to drink our coffee at a table outside the deli. From my chair I photographed the cloudy sky silhouetting a street lamp.

Designer fabrics

On the way home, I admired this selection of cheerful designer fabrics in the window of Timorous Beasties.

Strangely quiet

The George and Monkey pub was strangely quiet with no customers at any of the tables. I did notice that on each table was a card bearing a name and a time. That suggests that they may be operating a reservation-only service.

How different will things be from the coming Monday when the next layer of restrictions is removed? We shall be able to go inside pubs, cafes and restaurants. Will there be a huge rush of customers or will people adapt gradually to the new way of life? We shall soon find out!

Kentish Town

This morning we are back in Kentish Town as we have business here. Kentish Town is a lively district in the London Borough of Camden. Once rather run-down, it has in recent years improved its status to become a desirable district in which to live.

The name is thought to derive from Anglo-Saxon tun, “farm”, combined with a the family name Kentish, thus “farm of the Kentish family”. The name could indicate that the family originally came from Kent.

Kelly Street

This is Kelly Street and it is one of our favourites because a many of the houses have been painted in bright colours. Whether this was a project agreed jointly by the inhabitants or whether all the houses have a single owner with an eye for colour, I do not know but the result is cheering.

Well trained hedge

In Bartholomew Road, we admired this well – almost severely – trained hedge. I wonder how long it took to reach this stage of perfection?

The old polytechnic building

I mentioned yesterday that I used to work in Kentish Town, years ago, when the building shown above was formed part of a polytechnic. Nearby is another building that is closely connected with it in my memory.

The Abbey Tavern

I refer to the pub called the Abbey Tavern. I ate most of my workday lunches here, either on my own or with colleagues. In those days it was a very democratic place and the lunchtime crowd would include builders labourers in dirty clothes, smartly suited employees of the local branch of Dunn’s the hatters, students, lecturers and office workers. Many an animated discussion, not necessarily academic, has taken place here!

Blustons

I have written elsewhere about Blustons, a traditional ladies’ clothing store, a survival of an earlier age. I am happy to see that it is now Grade II listed and currently occupied by a charity shop.

Café Renoir
Photo by Tigger

We stopped for coffee at Café Renoir. We have visited this cafe often over the years and seen it change hands several times while remaining a pleasant place for coffee or a meal. Once restrictions are lifted, perhaps we will come here for a meal and sit inside. Today, of course, service was on the terrace only.

A black americano and a latte

Today, we just had coffee, our usual order of black coffee for me and latte for Tigger. No sugar for either of us.

Plenty of space

When we arrived, there was plenty of space. The sole customer already there soon departed, leaving us on our own. But…

Uncomfortably crowded

…it was not long because more people came and the terrace became uncomfortably crowded. Time to drink up and leave!

Walking up Caversham Road

Afterwards, we walked along Caversham Road because Tigger’s sharp eyes had spotted something interesting. Perhaps you can make it out in the distance.

Take a book, leave a book

Along the way, we discovered this community-oriented enterprise: it is a cupboard full of books, bearing a notice enjoining you to “Take a book, leave a book”. Quite a noble enterprise in its own way.

St Luke’s Church

This is what Tigger had spotted and we had come to see: a Victorian church (built 1867-9) but with later additions. We could not go inside, of course, but made do with the view from outside.

The church garden

Beside the church is a small (compared with the church) but pleasant garden.

Expensive mouldings

The houses in this area were obviously intended to be above average quality as can be deduced from their size and the elaborateness of the decoration, such as these detailed mouldings.

Chairs to go!

Today’s give-away is a set of dining chairs (surely there should be four?) but hurry as stocks are limited!

A mixture of cultures

I noticed this school building because it demonstrates something becoming ever more common: a mixture of cultures. In this case the cultures are ancient and modern, respectively: the roof features both an Edwardian bell tower and a modern solar panel.

Fruiterer, KentishTown Station

Soon, we reached The main road again at Kentish Town railway and tube station where we would catch a 214 bus back to the Angel. My last photo was of this market-style fruit stall beside the station. On display is a wide range of produce, making a handsome show in the sunshine.

This afternoon, we visited two places beginning with ‘H’, Highgate and Hampstead. Another similarity is that both are on hills. Highgate is thought to take its name from a toll gate that was here in ancient times and was literally the “high gate”, though other explanations have been suggested. Hampstead derives from Hamestede, meaning, as is easy to see, “homestead”. But whose homestead? That remains uncertain, though it might possibly refer to a manor house that was once hereabouts.

Aboard the 214 to Highgate

Travelling to Highgate from the Angel is easy: just hop on the single-decker 214 bus that terminates at Highgate Village.

Hitherto unvisited alley

We have been to Highgate many times and know it well. Therefore, when we spied this alley that we had never visited before, we of course explored it. Was it interesting? No, not particularly!

St Michael’s Church Highgate
Photo by Tigger

We emerged in Pond Square which, I imagine, did once contain a pond though, if so, the pond is long gone. Opposite, in a street called South Grove, is the Church of St Michael Highgate.

The Angel Inn

Islington does not have a monopoly of angels. These legendary beings are found in other parts of London and Highgate has its own Angel Inn, notable for displaying a headless angel.

Highgate High Street

This photo shows what you might call the top end of the High Street, the highest point in Highgate. All directions away from this point lead downhill.

A view from Hampstead Heath

From Highgate, we caught a 210 bus that took us to what I am tempted to call the top of Hampstead. From this point too, all directions lead downhill. We penetrated briefly into Hampstead Heath from where there are good views of London and, of course, of the Heath itself.

Jack Straw’s Castle

At the crossroads at the summit of the hill stands this strange building. It was once a famous pub but those days are gone, presumably for ever, and today it is residential. As far as I know, it has never had any connection with the Jack Straw of history.

The Horse Pond

Hampstead has a number of ponds, some of which can be used for bathing. This pond, “at the top of Hampstead”, is the highest. It is sometimes called the Whitestone Pond, after the nearby milestone, but I prefer the old name, Horse Pond, which describes its ancient use in watering horses.

Gate of Fenton House

We followed some narrow streets off the main route, looking for a particular building. On the way, the glitter of gold caught my eye. It was the gate of Fenton House, originally a 17th century merchant’s house, now owned by he National Trust.

The Holly Bush

We found the building we were looking for which was the historic Holly Bush, a Grade II listed 18th century house, now a pub. It did not seem to be open so we continued on our way.

Stepped path to the main road

We returned to the main road down a stepped path, one of several between the houses in hilly Hampstead.

The Horse ad Groom

On the main road, we passed another famous pub, the Horse and Groom. It was shut up and silent, quite unlike its glory days. I think it ceased being a pub some years ago. What role it plays now I do not know.

The tube station

An important feature of Hampstead is the tube station. Originally called Heath Street, it was renamed Hampstead, no doubt to avoid confusion. It is London’s deepest tube station.

Looking down Hampstead High Street

The High Street is a main thoroughfare and busy with traffic. We walked down it, hoping to find somewhere to sit and enjoy a coffee.

A view from the terrace

As you see, we found a cafe with a terrace where we could sit and watch the world go by while we enjoyed coffee and hot buttered toast!

A Penfold posting box

We crossed the road and found this Victorian post box designed by Penfold. Sadly, it is no longer in use. It bears a notice dating it to 1870 and stating that it has been retained in place as a historical monument.

Exploring the side streets

We spent some time exploring streets off the main road – this one is called Gayton Road. I imagine it is quite a pleasant area to live in.

Cattle trough

We discovered a cattle trough that was new to me. It bore the name of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association but no date. Neither was there a personal dedication as is sometimes the case, so its precise age is difficult to know.

South End Green fountain

We descended to Pond Street where we intended to catch a bus to start our journey home. I made a detour round South End Green where there is a small enclosed area or small public garden. Its most notable feature is this ornate fountain dedicated in the 1880s by a Miss Crump in memory of her cousin and her uncle who died in 1872 and 1880, respectively.

Old Polytechnic building, Kentish Town

The bus brought us to Kentish Town where we changed to a 214 that carried us back to the Angel. While waiting for the 214, I took a photo of the building (wrapped in builders’ screens) where I worked for a number of years. It was then part of a polytechnic but later became residential. I don’t know what it will become next.

On tthe bus home

After lunch we did go out again. As predicted, I shed a layer of clothing and was still warm enough throughout. The sun, though, obviously thought it had done enough by shining during the morning, and hid behind clouds for the most of the afternoon.

Speeding down Rosebery Avenue

In St John Street, we caught a 341 bus which terminates at Waterloo Station. We occupied front seats upstairs from where I took the above photo as the bus sped down Rosebery Avenue.

Approaching Holborn Viaduct

A few minutes later, I took this photo as we approached Holborn Viaduct, a handsome iron bridge that carries one road over another.

In Fleet Street

Here we are in Fleet Street, named after the River Fleet that runs by here but is now covered over. The name “Fleet Street” was once synonymous with “the press” or, as we would say now, “the media”. All the national newspapers maintained a presence here but most are long gone to more commodious accommodation in areas such as Wapping.

Now in Strand

Fleet Street becomes (the) Strand at a certain point, a famous street that contains, among other notables, the Royal Courts of Justice.

Colourful pub in Lower Marsh

We left the bus at its final stop opposite Waterloo Station and walked to a nearby street with the picturesque name of Lower Marsh where the colourful pub in the photo is to be found. Lower March can be an interesting street but it was boringly quiet today.

Upper Marsh

Lower Marsh leads to a street called Upper Marsh, which is logical, at least. It starts as a tunnel under the railway but then becomes an normal street open to the sky.

Blue pillar box in honour of the NHS

We found ourselves near St Thomas’s Hospital. On the pavement in front of it is a pillar box. It is in use like any other pillar box but has been painted blue with the words “Thank you NHS”, in honour of a service that, overwhelmed at times, nonetheless served us unstintingly throughout the pandemic at a cost of NHS workers’ lives lost to the disease. This debt can never be adequately repaid.

The Thames and Parliament

We reached the Thames here where there is a view of the Houses of Parliament.

Riverside cafe

Reaching Lambeth, we stopped for refreshments at this riverside cafe.

Part of Lambeth Palace

On the opposite side of the road is the sprawling collection of buildings that constitute Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Parts of it date to the 15th century.

Walking along the enbankment

We started to walk along the embankment beside the Thames. Do you notice anything about the wall on the right?

The National Covid Memorial Wall

From a distance, the wall appears pink. This is because it is covered with millions of red hearts, each representing someone who has died from Covid. It is called The National Covid Memorial Wall and is very long so I can only show a pathetically small section of it. Many hearts are inscribed with the names of people who died, testimonials left by those who love them. Facing Parliament, perhaps it will stir a few consciences. (No, I don’t think so, either.)

Westminster Bridge and tower of Big Ben

We reached Westminster Bridge where can be seen possibly the world’s most famous clock, known universally as Big Ben after the name of its largest bell. It is currently wrapped in scaffolding undergoing renovation.

Tunnel under the bridge

We crossed passed under the bridge by this rather insalubrious-looking tunnel.

The London Eye

Continuing along the embankment beyond the bridge, we came to the famous wheel known as the London Eye, currently closed. I have never been on it and have no plans to ride it when it starts up again.

Avenue

We left the river and the Eye by going along this avenue of trees.

Not the stairway to Heaven

To return to Waterloo Station, where we would catch our bus home, we needed to climb this staircase of 37 steps. After a long walk, this was not altogether welcome!

Another tunnel

At the top of the staircase, one passes through the buildings by a tunnel. The shape you see on the right is a tent inhabited by one of London’s many homeless people.

Waterloo Station

We reached Waterloo Station and went out through the exit nearest our bus stop.

The Wellington

Our stop is opposite this handsome pub called the Wellington, which seems awkwardly caught between two railway bridges.

On the bus home

The bus was not long in coming and we were carried speedily back to the Angel. We stayed downstairs this time as we had climbed enough stairs for one day!

You can always trust the British weather to do the unexpected. After several days of grey and chilly conditions, we now have sunshine and temperatures of 18-19°C. Not that I am ungrateful. I hate the cold and welcome the improvement.

Sunshine in Baron Street

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine, Sunday is shopping day, and so we set off as usual at 11am. Despite the bright conditions, I followed the old saying “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out”, and dressed warmly except for swapping my winter coat for a lighter one. I’m glad to say that I was a little too warm. I shall remove a few layers (like a snake shedding its old skin) when we go out again later.

Lively Chapel Market

In Chapel Market, the stalls were out in force, making a fine display in the morning sunlight. It’s beginning to be harder to remember the miserable appearance of the market during lockdown. Let’s hope we have reached the end of that difficult time and that there will be no relapse.

Sainsbury’s – not too busy

Sainsbury’s was about as busy as it usually is on Sunday morning, meaning we had very little difficulty surfing the shelves for our purchases. Working out what you intend to buy before you enter the store also helps.

We didn’t have too long to wait at the checkout, either. The checkouts at Sainsbury’s, as in other shops, are enclosed by transparent screens. This is sensible if a tad claustrophobic. What will happen “after Covid”, I wonder? I suspect that screens in shops and other businesses will remain in place for some time, possibly permanently. I have seen suggestions that masks could also continue in use, for example during flu or other epidemics. Learning from experience is a valuable tool in facing future problems.

Our coffee oasis

As usual, I took the cup holder and hurried ahead to Mercer’s for our coffee reward. Today’s coffees completed a loyalty card: free coffee next time!

As I write this, we are at home, the shopping has been put away and we are having a little rest before lunchtime. What shall we do this afternoon? Whatever it is, I shall be sure to let you know!