After lunch, the weather was a little warmer as I had hoped, but the wind was still cold. We decided to take a trip to the Thames which would involve taking the bus there and back.

Fara, in Pentonville Road, is the only charity shop where I have seen people queueing for admission. I wonder what the big attraction is?

The bus soon came and was almost empty, which was pleasant.

We left the bus on Waterloo Bridge and walked to the stairs (60 steps) that lead down to the Thames by the Southbank Centre. The above photo shows how crowded the area was.

We descended the steps to the river and began to walk along the promenade.

It was very busy, as you might imagine, and we had to keep dodging people who made little attempt to keep their distance, not to mention cyclists riding dangerously among the pedestrians.

I don’t know the origins and history of this sculpted log that seems to have been made to serve as a bench. Nobody had taken up its offer. It is rather low, though.

This view along the Thames shows Blackfriars Bridge and some famous buildings, including the OXO tower (on the right) and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

After walking for a while we came closer to Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s behind it.

This man was using a bucket of liquid and some netting on a stick to blow bubbles. He didn’t seem to have anything to sell so perhaps he was hoping people would give him money for his entertainment value.

This man, playing a guitar, was more obviously in the entertainment business.

We reached the (in)famous Millennium Bridge that connects St Paul’s Cathedral with the Tate Modern art gallery. (Don’t mention wobbles.)

We walked across the bridge dodging people, including joggers, coming in the opposite direction.

As we crossed the bridge, a Thames Clipper passed underneath. We have taken trips on these boats several times.

We reached the end of the bridge at St Paul’s, a shining architectural beauty in the sunshine.

Here, within sight of the elegant slender tower of St Paul’s School, is the stop where we waited for the first of our two buses home.

This bus has three doors and some rear-facing seats. We sat right at the back and watched the landscape slide away as we progressed.

At Moorgate, we changed to a single-deck two-door 153 that brought us back to the Angel.

Tomorrow is another day and we have things to do during it but for now, we have a pleasant evening at home to look forward to.

After yesterday’s pleasant warmth, I had hoped for more of the same today but when I stepped outside, I was shocked by the chill wind that had an icy edge to it.

The weather forecast shows the sun half-hidden by a cloud and this turned out to be accurate. In the photo of Baron Street above, you can see the cloudy sunny conditions but not the biting wind.

The Farmers’ Market was out in force and busy. The pub and the neighbouring cafe had put out their tables (the only way they are allowed to serve customers at present) but there were few takers. Perhaps the relatively early hour has something to do with this.

I had been toying with the idea of suggesting that we had lunch at our favourite Cafe Sizzle but I really can’t imagine sitting out eating in this chill wind.

The main market was busy also with a good turnout of stalls and lots of customers. I have noticed that markets also seem to attract groups of people who just stand about like extras in a film set.

Sainsbury’s was medium-busy, as it tends to be just after opening at 11am on Sundays. Some areas were crowded while others were less so.

Again, as it was early, we found a checkout with only one customer who was just finishing. The lady concerned paid in cash and this made me realise how cash is rapidly becoming redundant in a world where electronic-everything is the norm. How long will it be, I wonder, before humans give up eating messy food and simply plug themselves into the power supply when they feel hungry?

As usual, I hurried ahead to Mercer’s to order coffee. There were customers ahead of me but I did not have to wait long, add to which, as they know me now, I don’t even have to say what I want.

As we hurried home, hot coffee in hand, I saw that a busker had taken up position among the stalls . He was regaling us with a mournful song, performed to a backing tape. He was singing more or less in tune so let’s be grateful for small mercies.

The wind gusted sharply as we hurried on and I was glad to reach home. Later, the temperature will have risen a few degrees so we may go out again. But first, we have lunch – indoors! – to look forward to!

Tigger was out early this morning and during her walk spotted an urban fox.

Urban fox

She managed to grab this photo before he disappeared. He doesn’t seem to be in very good condition, poor thing.

We decided that as it was a warm and sunny day, it would be pleasant to buy coffee and food at Myddelton’s deli and to eat our lunch in Percy Circus, one of our favourite places.

Claremont Square

The above shows a familiar view of Claremont Square with St Mark’s Church in the distance. We made our way through here on the way to the deli.

Claremont Square reservoir

We noticed that the grass on the reservoir had been cut but only in places. Was this so as to leave unharmed the areas where flowers are growing?

The Curvaceous Tree

I went to take a look at my Curvaceous Tree and saw that it was beginning to dress itself in summer green, like its neighbours.

Lemon tree

In a basement area, we spotted this lemon tree growing in a pot. The lemons are quite large. As one who has tried – unsuccessfully – to grow plants from orange, lemon and grapefruit pips, I found them impressive. I wonder whether they bought the lemon tree already mature or whether they grew it from seed. No way to know.

Someone’s watching us…
Photo by Tigger

Tigger noticed that someone was watching us carefully from behind a window! I suppose we are rather suspicious characters, going around taking photos of everything.

Abandoned scooter

As we went round Myddelton Square, we came upon this child’s scooter, apparently abandoned and available to anyone who wants it. It’s strange how many I see in the streets. It must be the toy most often dumped in this manner.

Myddelton Square Gardens

We passed by Myddelton Square Gardens, looking very charming in the sunshine. There were surprisingly few people for such a pleasant day.

Fiery bush

This fiery bush was poking through the railings as if to escape and set fire to the rest of the world.

Goodies on sale in Myddelton’s
Photo by Tigger

We had to queue for a while at Myddelton’s while other shoppers carried out their transactions. Then it was our turn and we could consult the glass-fronted display of food. We choose a baguette loaded with vegetarian French cheese and vegetables with Portuguese custard tarts to follow. The baguette was toasted and cut in two for us.

I carried the coffee and Tigger the food, and we hurried off down the hill to Percy Circus.

Percy Circus

We found a bench in Percy Circus and consumed our lunch while enjoying the quiet, calm environment.

Percy Circus

It is a rather lovely place and it’s surprising how few people come here, though that, of course, is to our advantage.

Bright flowers

We returned by taking the path through Bevin Court. I photographed this group of flowers in a previous post but it was still beautiful so I photographed it again!

Sun shining through blossom

The path through Bevin Court has grass and trees, including this pretty one currently covered in blossom. I photographed it with the sun shining through it.

A meadow

This grassy area was covered in flowers previously and has been left to grow like a meadow. I hope this has been done on purpose for the benefit of wildlife.

Cruikshank Street

We climbed the slope of Cruikshank Street.

Amwell Street in sunshine

We crossed the top end of Amwell Street. From here, we were soon home.

While our baguette was being toasted, we waited outside the shop, sitting at one of the tables. Tigger took a sneaky photo of me. Here it is:

You know who
Photo by Tigger

It’s another fine day today, sunny and warm. This suggested a slightly longer walk, taking in some “roads less travelled” – less travelled by me, that is.

The Chapel Pub

I started along Penton Street and took this photo of the Chapel pub to show you the pleasant conditions.

Landmark – Church on the Corner

When exploring less familiar regions, not possessing Tigger’s topological intuitions (which include her mysterious “Inner Pigeon”), I check the route beforehand on the map and remember various landmarks along the way. The ex-pub “Church on the Corner” was the first of today’s, reminding me to turn left along Copenhagen Street.

Adventure playground

This street borders Barnard Park where there is this, apparently abandoned, children’s adventure playground, reminding me somewhat of those ancient abandoned villages sometimes discovered deep in the jungle. Will it ever be put back in use, I wonder? (Update: according to an email received privately, the playground is still in use at certain times of day.)

Matilda Street

My next landmark was Matilda Street on the right. There were a couple of other turnings first but it was easy to find.

I don’t know who Matilda was, but this street was in existence by 1845, known first as Matilda Place and later becoming Matilda Street.

You can perhaps just make out in the distance the greenery of my destination.

Modest Georgian style houses

The houses are fairly modest three-storey dwellings (including basement) in the Georgian style. The roadway is quite wide and on the side opposite the houses there is first parkland and then a school. Quite a pleasant area in which to live, I imagine.

Thornhill Square Gardens in view

At the end of Matilda Street we reach the inviting greenness of Thornhill Square.

Larger houses in Thornhill Square

The houses in Thornhill Square are larger – three upper storeys plus the usual basement – and obviously designed for a more discerning (i.e. wealthier) clientele. They date from the 1840s and the square’s name comes from George Thornhill (1811-75), then MP for Huntingdon and a High Sheriff, who owned the land on which it was built.

Part of the gardens

The central garden of Thornhill Square is very large, as squares go, and I think it is the largest in Islington. It is shaped rather like a bullet see this map). It has several different areas, including a children’s playground, areas to sit and shady paths for strolling. Here are a few images.

The gardens and spire of St Andrew’s Church

This view includes the spire of St Andrew’s Church (consecrated 1854) at the far end of the square, built on land also provided by George Thornhill.

The tallest tree

I particularly admired this tree in the centre of the garden. I think it is the tallest but with so many fine old trees, it’s hard to be sure.

Caged lions

As I walked back along Matilda Street, I came upon this pair of heraldic lions, apparently caged behind basement railings.

Guarding the door

Then I found their companion, couchant this time, guarding the front door. Were they perhaps spoils from a demolished grand house?

The path with no name

Instead of following Matilda Street to the end, I decided to follow this path through to the next street up. It may have a name, as there are houses fronting on it but, if so, I have yet to discover it.

Hemingford Road and Barnard Park

The path brought me to Hemingford Road and Barnard Park. I thought of walking through the park but, thinking this might take me too far out of my way, left it for another time. (The road is possibly named after the village of Hemingford Abbots in Cambridgeshire.)

Going uphill in Copenhagen Street

I returned to Copenhagen Street which is a bit of an uphill trudge at this point. Happily, it levels out by the time we reach the corner.

Continuing in Copenhagen Street

I could have returned along Barnesbury Road that becomes Penton Street but I remembered a path between houses that would take me to Culpeper Park.

Here it is

It was as I remembered. I had met a friendly cat here but he was not visible today.

Arriving at Culpeper Park

Thus I came to Culpeper Park and from there crossed through Sainsbury’s carpark to Chapel Market.

And you know who is in Chapel Market, don’t you? 🙂

Mercer’s in Chapel Market

I allowed myself to be tempted and went in to buy coffee. (I thought I deserved a reward 🙂 ) It looks as though they have finally completed the new tiling round the door. It took them a while but they finished it in the end.

(I took that photo one-handed – I had a cup of hot coffee in the other hand – and so it’s not bad, considering.)

Coffee in hand I hurried home. This evening I will meet Tigger at the bus stop and we will go to the Banana Tree for a Thai takeaway supper. The weekend starts here!

I was not feeling very adventurous today and didn’t feel like going far. In the circumstances, it being a sunny day and fairly warm, sitting for a while in Percy Circus seemed appealing.

Crossing Amwell Street

I took this photo as I crossed Anwell Street, heading for Great Percy Street. You can see that the sun is on the opposite side of the street from this morning’s photo and also that the pub, the George and Monkey, is doing plenty of business.

Lost shoe

Did a baby Cinderella pass this way? We often see footwear – usually single shoes, never pairs – left on railings. Shoes must be the item of children’s clothing most often lost. Why is that, I wonder? The next most common item we spot is gloves, both children’s and adults’ and again, always singly.

Approaching Percy Circus

Built 1839-40 and named after Robert Percy Smith (1770-1845), a director of the New River Company, Great Percy Street is a broad but quiet residential road. It is also on a gentle but insistent slope which means that it is pleasant to walk down but then you have to confront the hill on the way back!

Percy Circus

The Circus is too broad to photograph so I videoed it to give you an idea of what a pleasant spot it is for a built-up area.

The garden

It’s a fairly plain garden but pleasant all the same, with greenery and fine old trees and a central circular paved area with benches.

The tree in the centre

I sat on a bench and observed the tree in the centre of the garden and the paved area, a very fine tree.

The canopy

It has a well developed canopy with spreading branches. We sometimes see birds in the tree though there were none today. I’m surprised a squirrel hasn’t taken up residence in it but I couldn’t see anything resembling a drey.

Percy Circus houses

The houses of the Circus are separated from the garden by a broad roadway so there is no feeling of being overlooked or crowded by buildings.

Wind-blown seed

The breeze dropped a flying seed on my trousers. I don’t know what plant it comes from. I left it where it was: chance had brought it here and I would leave it to chance to look after it.

It was peaceful in the garden and I spent some time just sitting and absorbing the calm atmosphere. I had to make an effort to leave!

The path to Bevin Court

To return home, I took the path to Bevin Court. Despite the proximity of the “cliff of apartments”, it is pleasanter to follow the path than to walk in the street.

Flowers in he hedgerow

There are flowers in the hedge and on the verge along the path.

Tree in blossom

This tree was positively shining with white blossom.

Almost woodland

This part of the path is almost a woodland with grass and trees. In some of the trees there are boxes with openings at the bottom. This counterintuitive arrangement, we were told, indicates that they are bat boxes. We will come here one evening at dusk to see whether we can spot any bats.

Cruikshank Street

The path led me into Cruikshank Street, another pleasant residential street, where I sometimes meet the tortoiseshell cat. I was unlucky today.

From here, I was soon home where I made tea, relaxed and waited for Tigger to let me know she was on her way back from work.