As usual on the first morning in a new place, my job was to find out how the shower works. All showers are different and can spring nasty surprises on you until you know their little foibles.

The enemy

This shower has two heads. The top one starts cold and then switches to scalding hot water, causing me literally to jump out of the shower compartment to avoid injury. The lower one can also scald you until you work out exactly how to set the knob controlling its temperature. (Clue: this works with delayed action.) In addition, the floor of the shower is slippery so you have to exercise extreme caution when moving or your feet slide out from under you.

Coffee #1 for breakfast

Having played with the shower, we set out on today’s jaunt which, as the title tells you, is to the seaside town of Weymouth. As our train leaves at 9:45, we bought a takeaway breakfast at Coffee #1.

Level crossing closed

Continuing up the High Street, we found the level crossing closed. The train soon came through and the barriers lifted to allow us to go on our way.

Poole Station

We reached an almost deserted Poole Railway Station and settled on a bench to have our breakfast. While we were thus engaged, it started to rain and we both sheltered under Tigger’s umbrella.

Aboard the Weymouth train
Photo by Tigger

The train came (a minute late), bringing welcome shelter. When this photo was taken there was water on both sides of the train!

Dorchester South Station

We broke our journey in Dorchester, a town where Tigger spent time in her youth.

Eldridge Pope Brewery

The town was once famous for its brewing industry, as witness the Eldridge Pope brewery building.

All you need is love
Mike Chapman

This sculpture by Mike Chapman (2018) to commemorate the First World War has two titles, All you need is love and The hug.

The Almshouses

The picturesque almshouses have been repurposed. They were founded in 1615 by Sir Robert Napper.

The old Corn Exchange

This building with a fine clock tower is the Corn Exchange, built 1847-8.

Dorset Museum Cafe

We popped into the museum cafe for refreshments.

Sunshine in South Street

As we made our way back to the station, the sun came out, making a pleasant change from the clouds and rain earlier. Will it stay fine, though?

Victoria Jubilee Clock

To my mind, this colourful clock tower is the symbol of Weymouth. It was erected in 1887 for the jubilee of Queen Victoria.

The sandy beach

Among the attractions of Weymouth are its sandy beach and sea.

Memorial to King George III

King George III visited Weymouth and was fond of the place. In return, the citizens erected a memorial to him.

Sand sculptures

Weymouth, owing to the qualities of its sand, is a well known centre for sand sculpture and hosts a permanent, changing display by various sand artists.

Boat trips

We went for a trip in this boat.

Sitting in the stern

We were two of only six passengers and we had good seats in the stern.

Here are some of the things we saw:

Nothe Fort

Breakwater Fort

Breakwater Lighthouse

A close-up view of the sea!

The sea was quite choppy at times and we were sometimes splashed by waves breaking against the boat.

The Pavilion

We went to the Pavilion (a favourite haunt of Tigger’s in past times) for tea and coffee and stayed quite some time. (We needed to fill in time as we were expecting to meet someone later.)

Carousel, Alexandra Gardens

Afterwards, we walked through Alexandra Gardens where there are amusements for children, including this period-flavour carousel.

Weymouth Harbour

We went to the harbour to take a look at the colourful boats.

The Golden Lion

We passed the Golden Lion pub which has this fine, rather antique-looking, lion as its sign.

Caffè Nero
Photo by Tigger

We stopped off at Caffè Nero to wait for our meeting and there learned that it had been called off.

Weymouth Station

So we walked back to Weymouth’s unlovely modern station.

Aboard the Waterloo train

Here we boarded a train for Waterloo which will take us to Poole and our temporary home.

Level crossing closed – again

We walked home from the station and found the level crossing closed for a second time – possibly for the train we had just left!

Sainsbury’s

We saw a familiar sign announcing the presence of Sainsbury’s and we went in. We bought enough items to make an evening meal and then continued on to our apartment.

Thus ends our outing to Weymouth. Tomorrow is a special day but we will discuss that it due course.

St John Street

It is 8:30 and we have come to the bus stop in St John Street to catch a number 341 bus to Waterloo Station. From there we travel to Poole in Dorset where we will spend four nights, returning home on Friday

Aboard the 341

Though it’s the rush hour, we managed to find seats on the bus. Yes, those are our suitcases, beside the exit door.

Waterloo Station, upper level

We reached Waterloo Station at 9:00, 65 minutes before our train was due to depart. We ascended to the upper level and bought breakfast at a place called The Balcony. Sitting at one of their tables gave us a close-up view of the famous station clock. (Do people still meet “under the clock” in this age of mobile phones?)

Aboard the train

As soon as our train’s platform was confirmed (and they usually don’t give you much warning) we went aboard. We had to travel in the first five coaches as the train divides at Bournemouth. There were very few passengers and we easily found seats at a table. WiFi is available but it’s so slow as to be useless.

Trundling through the suburbs

We trundled through the suburbs to Clapham Junction, where a few more passengers joined the train, and the set off towards our destination at no very great speed. (I read somewhere that today’s train journeys often take longer than the same journeys did in the days of steam.)

The Delfino Lounge

By the time we arrived in Poole, the weather had closed in and it was raining. We hurried to the nearby shopping centre and went into the Delfino Lounge for lunch.

Art on the walls

The walls of the Lounge are covered with an eclectic collection of art.

It’s looking brighter

By the time we had finished lunch, the rain had stopped and the weather was looking brighter.

Costa Coffee

Instead of a hotel room, we have reserved an apartment for our stay. We can access the apartment only at 3 pm. As we cannot leave our luggage with them, as we could at a hotel, we have to keep it with us which is a disincentive to moving around. We have therefore come to Costa and will wait here until the apartment is available.

Sunshine and rain

When the time came, we left Costa and made for the apartment. We found that even though the sun was shining, it was also raining. Gardners and water companies will be glad of the rain after the long drought but it will take more than a few showers to refill the reservoirs.

The key store

To access the apartment it was not necessary to contact a human being. We entered the building by typing a number on a keypad to unlock the front door. In the hallway is this stack of key stores and typing a number into the appropriate one opens it to reveal electronic keys to our apartment. This is on the first floor and there is a lift for when we are feeling lazy.

The lounge

The kitchen corner

To be going on with, here are a couple of snaps of the room which combines the roles of lounge and kitchen.

Old Burton’s

After a little rest, we walked up the High Street, where we spotted this old Burton’s store with a foundation stone dated 1938.

Level crossing

A feature of this town is the railway line that passes through it. High street traffic is periodically halted when the level crossing gates close, though there is a pedestrian bridge if you don’t mind climbing the stairs.

Aboard the 10

We walked to the bus station and boarded a number 10 bus which took us to Westbourne where we were meeting a friend..

The Duck

We entered a cafe bar called the duck where we spent some time.

Poole Road

Afterwards, we went to a bus stop in Poole Road.

Aboard the M2

We boarded an M2 and went for a ride. (We might as well make the most of the all-day bus pass!)

Somewhere in Southbourne

We exited the bus at its terminus at Southbourne.

Back on the M2

As evening was coming on, we did not tarry here and when the bus that brought us here had turned round, boarded it again, to the surprise of the driver!

During the journey, it started raining heavily and then came the thunder and lightning. There was a series of bangs as passengers closed the bus windows to stop the rain coming in.

Poole bus station

After what seemed a long journey, the bus delivered us to the bus station at Poole. In the station was a small but well stocked shop where we bought food for supper.

The final bus

We then boarded our last bus for today which took us near to our apartment so that a few steps brought us home, bringing to an end our first day in Poole.

We did not perform our usual shopping run today for a reason that I will explain later (but that you can perhaps guess – wait and see if you are right!)

Chapel Cafe

We had intended to go the Sizzies Cafe for breakfast but found it closed. That’s the second time this has happened and we are wondering whether it has closed permanently, being a victim of the economic downturn. Instead, we went to the Chapel Cafe that we tried out a few days ago. Service was faster today than last time (see Visiting the Tate Modern) so perhaps we will adopt this cafe until Sizzles comes alive again (if it does).

Angel Central

We did pop into Sainsbury’s though only for a single item and found it strangely quiet. We arrived before they opened and went to sit in Angel Central to wait.

Chapel Market

Afterwards, we set out for a ramble, passing Chapel Market which, in contrast to Sainsbury’s, was very lively.

Pigeons relaxing

As part of our enjoyment of Sunday, we called in at Myddelton’s deli. We had a choice of tables but unfortunately, another customer arrived and sat at the table next to ours where she began pollutung our air by smoking, so we took our coffee to Myddelton Square Garden and drank it in the pleasant company of the resident pigeons.

Artist at work

Tigger is a fan of artist Dan Kitchener and so, as he was at work only a short bus ride away, we went along to take a look.

A work in several parts

The work is commissioned by a hotel. It is in several parts on several separate surfaces, making it impossible to see the whole as a single piece.

Weather faded

This huge piece nearby, by the same artist, was created in winter, against the artist’s advice. As a result, it shows fading at the top through the effects of the inclement weather when it was painted.

Walking in Southampton Row

Two very different façades

Walking along Southampton Row, we saw many designs of buildings, including these two very different types of façade.

Grounds of the Imperial Hotel

We entered the grounds of the Imperial Hotel where we found an unusually styled building with a clock

A grove of sculptures

There was also a grove of Classical-style sculptures.

Old sign

Out in the street again, we passed this old signset into the pavement. It points the way to the Turkish baths though these baths ceased to exist long ago.

Decorative mouldings, Hotel Russell

We arrived at the magnificent Hotel Russell which would deserve an entire blog post to itself alone. The above is just one element in the decorative scheme.

The hotel cafe bar

We entered the cafe bar, which is open to the public.

Tea for two

We ordered tea for two which came in separate one-person teapots.

Russell Square Underground Station

After our tea break, we walked past Russell Square tube station with its unusual blue name plate. Though London’s tube stations share a “family resemblance”, each is unique and different from all the others.

Brunswick Centre

We entered the Brunswick Centre, an estate of apartments and shops. The shopping mall was very busy.

Picnic lunch

We bought a picnic lunch in Waitrose.

The Marchmont Community Garden

We took our purchases to the Marchmont Community Garden and settled on a vacant bench to enjoy our lunch in pleasant surroundings.

Cartwright Gardens

After lunch we walked along Marchmont Street and Cartwright Gardens – familiar territory to us from when we used to wash our laundry at the launderette here.

The British Library

We reached the Euston Road and the British Library where there is a bus stop.

Aboard the 73

We soon caught a number 73 bus which carried us up the hill to the Angel and home.

At home now, we have a few jobs to do to finish preparing for… well, for what comes next. All being well, I shall be able to tell you all about it!

This morning started, as mornings often do, with a visit to the deli for coffee.

The Curvaceous Tree

I paid a visit to my “friend” the Curvaceous Tree in its corner in Myddelton Square Garden.

At the deli

We found a table outside the deli where we could sit and enjoy our coffee while watching the comings and goings in Amwell Street.

Passing the end of Exmouth Market

We passed the end of Exmouth Market but didn’t visit it today.

The Bowler

We passed the pub called the Bowler, which probably dates from Victorian times and saw that they are covering its elegant original façade with a modern cladding. It’s such a shame when this is done as the modern decor is never as pleasing as the original. Even though the original tiling is still in place it will have been damaged by fixing the cladding.

Great Delicatessen

We stopped off at this Greek deli and cafe called (a little boastfully, perhaps) the Great Delicatessen.

Pink lemonade

We both had pink lemonade from the cold cabinet. You may be able to see that the lettering moulded in the bottle glass is Greek.

Inside the Great Delicatessen

Leaving the deli we caught a bus.

Farringdon Street

The bus brought us to Farringdon Street in the City of London.

Office block staircase

We walked along Farringdon Street and found this staircase which I was glad not to have to climb. The building also had a lift but it was out of order. We saw someone coming down the stairs with several suitcases. He had to make several trips up and down to bring them all to street-level.

The lone survivor

On one side of the street was a large building site. Over a broad area, all existing buildings had been razed except this one. How has it survived? Perhaps the owner was the only one to refuse to sell ti the developers. Good fir him or her, if so, for not giving in to greedy developers.

Unearthly faces

This building was extensively decorated with various figures including faces. Space constraints meant we could only photograph part of the façade and we chose the doorway. The faces look unearthly, even slightly demonic.

Holborn Viaduct

“Underneath the arches…”

Our path led us under Holborn Viaduct, a very decorative road bridge built between 1863 and 1869 and still an essential part of the road network.

A canopy past its best

We were now approaching Smithfield Market, in years gone by London’s biggest meat market where thousands, perhaps millions, of cattle came to be slaughtered. This canopy, now in a sad state of decay, links two building, providing a path between them protected from the weather.

Closed toilets

This triangular building, now shuttered and perhaps destined for demolition, probably held toilets for market porters.

Smithfield Market

The main entrance

The market building has domed towers. If you didn’t know its true nature you might think it served a more noble purpose than a place of slaughter.

Cloth Fair

This street is called Cloth Fair which betrays what activity once took place here.

Church of St Bartholomew the Great

One side of the medieval Church of St Bartholomew the Great. The founder of the church, Rahere, also founded the nearby St Bartholomew’s Hospital (known popularly as St Barts).

Founders Company’s Coat of Arms

In this area many livery companies have their halls. This is a representation of the coat of arms of the Founders Company done, interestingly enough, in Coade Stone, one of several artificial stone materials, which proved more long-lasting and resistant to decay than natural stone. The original recipe was lost but there are claims that ut has been redeveloped.

The Wax Chandlers’ Hall

Nearby is the Wax Chandlers’ Hall with its coat of arms above the door.

Lunch

We went to Marks & Spencer to buy a picnic lunch. We took it to the churchyard of St Mary-le-Bow where there are tables and seats.

St Mary-le-Bow-

And yes, this is the Bow Church within the sound of whose bells you need to be born in order to be considered a Cockney.

FestLatAm at the Guildhall

A Latin American festival, called FestLatAm, was taking place at the London Guildhall. Tigger wanted to take a look. When we arrived, we found that there was a fee for entry and as there didn’t a lot to see, we gave it a miss.

St Mary’s Aldermanbury

We passed this seemingly isolated tower. It is the remains of the Church of St Mary’s Aldermanbury. Dating from medieval times, the church was gutted in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, it was again gutted by fire in 1940. The walls were removed to the US, leaving the tower alone.

Pret A Manger

We made a final pitstop at a branch of Pret A Manger and then walked to Barbican Station and caught a bus home, ending today’s jaunt.

We are not shopping today for once but have postponed it till tomorrow which is a bank holiday. To start our day, we set out for the deli, only to find it…

The deli – closed

…closed! That was rather a surprise and we wonder what the reason is.

Exmouth Market

So we walked along Exmouth Market and…

Caffè Nero

…entered the branch of Caffè Nero there.

Strawberry Jam Croisants and coffee

For a change we had strawberry jam croissants with our coffee. They are definitely moreish!

Aboard the 63

Next we boarded a 63 bus. Buses are supposed to be on strike today but it appears that some at least are running. (In fact, we had no trouble catching buses throughout the day. If the strike is taking place, it isn’t obvious on the routes we travelled.)

Down by the Thames

Mudlarks under Blackfriars Bridge
Photo by Tigger

We left the bus at Blackfriars Bridge and walked east along the Thames, passing under the bridge where we saw mudlarks in action..

Bankside Gallery

We visited the Bankside Gallery which is a retail art outlet.

Art for sale

I don’t know how “affordable” the art is (I didn’t look at the prices) but we were not buying in any case, just looking.

The Tate Modern

We next visited the Tate Modern art gallery in its dramatic recycled building.

Entrance at the Turbine Hall

Entry is through the Turbine Hall which, as the name suggests, held the turbines when the building was a power station (designed by Gilbert Scott).

Inside the Turbine Hall

We entered this huge space which is bigger, I think, than most cathedrals.

Projected art

We went into a gallery called The Tanks where all the exhibits were projections. I captured this snippet to give you an idea.

A view from the 4th floor

Seen from the fourth floor, the turbine hall looks even bigger than it does at ground level.

Collaborative art project

At the far end is a interactive art project in which the public can take part. It’s by Yayoi Kusama and is entitled The Obliteration Room.

You are probably expecting some photos of art works so I include a few below. As a sceptic where modern art is concerned, I couldn’t be bothered to hunt down the labels. If you want details, you’ll probably find them on the Tate Modern website.

Random artworks

I did what I usually do in an art gallery which is to let my eyes scan over the artworks until something grabs my attention (if it does). On this occasion, nothing did. To my mind,, it was a very dull and uninteresting slew of meaningless lumps of material. I had difficulty believing that someone had spent time and effort putting these constructs together.

Hopton’s Almshouses

We started for home, passing by the Grade II* listed Hopton’s Almshouses.

Bus stop on Blackfriars Bridge

We hurried to the bus stop on Blackfriars Bridge and just missed a bus. Fortunately, it wasn’t ling before a 63 turned up.

King’s Cross Station

The 63 carried us to King’s Cross Station where we changed to a 73.

Aboard the 73

The 73 brought us nearly to Chapel Market where we hoped to have lunch at Cafe Sizzles, one of our favourites. Unfortunately, it was closed.

Chapel Cafe

Instead, we went to the Chapel Cafe. The food was OK but the service was rather slow, for which they apologised. Whether or not we go there again remains to be seen.