As I recounted on July 29th (see A week to forget), I took my Dell laptop back to Curry’s because the original fault – which they claimed to have repaired – had reappeared. By dint of insistence, I managed to get them to take it in for repair again. I was told by text yesterday that the laptop was ready for collection.

Morning in Chapel Market

This morning, I went first to the post office in Chapel Market. Curry’s had persuaded me, against my better judgement, to pay for one month of “Currys Care”, supposedly because that would gain me certain benefits if ever they failed to repair the computer within 10 days. I then received a letter saying that they would be taking monthly premiums from my bank account until July 2028! Unless, that is, I notified them in writing to discontinue the policy. Hence my visit to the post office – to send the required letter by “Signed-for” post to be sure that they could not pretend never to have received it.

Aboard the 73

Having done that, off I went on the number 73 bus to Tottenham Court Road.

Arriving at Curry’s

I reached the store just after 10 am when they open. I half expected them to be closed just to frustrate me. Guess what happened next.

Frustrated again

I went to the repairs counter and found the above notice. I called for a manager. The manager could do nothing to help (well, what do you expect at Curry’s?). He did say that there should be someone available to hand back my computer after midday. In the meantime, I have returned home again. I will have lunch and then try again.

The intelligent thing to do would be to phone the store and ask if there is now someone available but… have you ever tried phoning Curry’s? They do not reveal any phone numbers for individual stores. Going down several layers on their website, you can find a general number: 0344 561 0000.

This gets you into the familiar “Press 1 for this”, “Press 2 for that”, etc spiral. I tried various combinations and eventually, after typing in the repair number and my phone twice, was connected to a person. I explained that all I wanted was to know whether there was someone at the store able to hand me back my computer. The answer was only to be expected: “Er, we can’t actually contact individual stores…”

If there were such a thing as an industry prize for How Not To Run Customer Services, Curry’s would win with special mention in the category How to Frustrate the Customer.

There was nothing for it but to take the bus again…

I reached Curry’s and found a queue at the counter but at least there was someone on duty there. After a longish wait, it was my turn. I collected the hated laptop and went home.

p>Last time, they replaced drivers. This time they have replaced the touchpad and updated the BIOS. Do you get the impression, as I do, that they are stabbing in the dark, hoping to repair it more or less by accident? Time will tell whether they’ve been lucky this time around.

The title of this post has a double meaning, as you will see. It refers, first, to the fact that we have done very little today – little worth recounting, at least – and so it is a short post.

Chapel Market

At 11 am we set off via Chapel Market for our local Sainsbury’s supermarket to do our weekly shopping. The market was quite busy and recently seems to have recovered from the doldrums of the pandemic and returned to something more like its old size and vigour. Perhaps the weather too has something to do with it: I imagine that spending hours in cold, wet winter weather tending a stall is an uncomfortable pastime while in better weather it is more appealing.

In Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s was averagely busy for a Sunday morning. As usual, we knew what we wanted and each collected a list of items so that we had soon finished.

I did notice one worrying detail, however. This is that a number of products were not in their usual places and we had to hunt around for them. So what, you might ask? Stores often reorganise their shelves so that customers will see products they don’t usually buy and perhaps be tempted to try new things. I hope that’s the reason but it, together with other indications, makes me suspect that the real reason was to spread out the stock to fill shelves left empty by products that are unobtainable. As we head into recession, amid the chaos resulting from Brexit, I fear we shall face more and more such problems. We also see the upward creep of prices.

Carrying home the coffee

As usual, we called in at Mercer’s on the way home to pick up our coffees. Last week, I exchanged a full loyalty card for a free coffee but forgot to ask for a new one. This time, I obtained my new card, stamped to record last week’s purchase as well as this week’s. It’s nice when shops treat you both kindly and honestly.

So what about the second meaning of “short”? Here it is 🙂

”A number 4 all over”

Yes, it was time again to set shears to head for a haircut. We both have our hair cut at the same time. Among other things, it helps us remember when we last visited the barber and when lengthening hair requires another visit. They know us now and how we want the job done. Mine is simple: “a number 4 all over”. The digit refers to the length of the cutting blade used which, as you can see from the photo, cuts very closely. This gives me a couple of months of trouble-free hair care when even a comb is superfluous.

We are bracing ourselves for another heatwave in the coming week. We have things to do, though, and cannot stay at home with the electric fans, much as we might like to. If I find the energy, I will let you know what we get up to.

We made a late start today as we had a visit planned for later and had no need to hurry.

Myddelton Square Garden

We started by calling in at Myddelton’s deli for our ritual coffee. All the tables were occupied and so we carried our cups to Myddelton Square Garden where we found a bench in the shade. We spent some time here as it was pleasant and we could watch the pigeons, squirrels and other denizens.

The pub vine

As the hour of our visit approached we set off, passing along Myddelton Passage to see how the famous (well, famous to us, anyway) vine was getting on. It was looking very good.

Bunches of grapes

There were plenty of grapes, developing nicely.

A few days ago, I spoke to the pub landlord about the vine. He told me that it had been planted in the 1960s (when the pub was rebuilt) and has been thriving ever since. It stretches round the pub garden and even right to the top of the big old tree next to the pub. I asked about the grapes: they are too sour to eat raw but a lady living nearby uses them for cooking.

Spa Green

We walked through Spa Green where the grass, as you can see, is suffering from the prolonged heat and has turned dry and brown. We are being urged to save water and to use watering cans rather than hosepipes in the garden. I am sure it will become worse yet.

Exmouth Market

Our way took us along Exmouth Market which was very busy. All the eateries, of which there are many, had tables outside and customers sitting at them.

Caffè Nero

As it was hot and we had a little time to spare, we went into Caffè Nero and ordered ice tea.

Spa Fields

Leaving Caffè Nero, we crossed through Spa Fields. There was still plenty of greenery and flowers in the park but the grass, as elsewhere, is dried like hay.

London Metropolitan Archives

Our planned visit was to the London Metropolitan Archives which is currently holding an exhibition entitled Magnificent Maps of London. Tigger is an enthusiast of maps, knows a lot about them and, yes, knows how to use them correctly. While I am prepared to use a map when it is useful to do so, I do not share Tigger’s passion, so I followed her quietly around the exhibits.

Maps on the stairs

The exhibition is on the first floor where the information and study area is but there were already maps and other displays in the small entrance and along the staircase.

London. The Bastion of Liberty, c. 1950

There are all kinds of maps, from very ancient to modern, that show London through the ages and from different aspects. For example, one can overlay a bomb damage map from the Second World War. For more about The Bastion of Liberty, see Mappig London.

Large scale map by R. Horwood, 1792-99

This enlarged map by famous map maker R. Horwood shows the London of the day in amazing detail.

Large computer screens, study area

There is a large study area where members of the public can view maps and overlays on large format computer monitors. Staff are on hand to help with enquiries and we found them both knowledgeable and helpful.

On the wall screen…

We asked about the development of Myddelton Passage (site of, among other things, the pub vine) through the centuries. We were shown a series of maps through the years which gave a good idea of its history.

…on the computer

A computer was then loaded with maps so that we could explore for ourselves. It is a remarkable facility.

A treasury of information

There are shelves loaded with books and maps to explore.

Photo by Tigger

We returned to Exmouth Market to look for lunch. We found it in Gail’s. For dessert, we selected two and shared them.

Back through Exmouth Market

After lunch, we walked back through Exmouth Market. As Tigger did not have her bus pass with her, we were going to walk home.

Wilmington Square Garden
Photo by Tigger

As we were not in a hurry, we took the “scenic route” and when we reached Wilmington Square, found a shaded bench to sit on in the garden. We spent a while here before confronting the hill to home. (At the map exhibition, we found that this was in times past known as “Islington Hill”, a name that has since fallen out of use.)

Cumberland Gardens

On the way, we passed through the pleasant little street (pedestrian only at one end) called Cumberland Gardens which we have not visited for a while.

From Cumberland Gardens, we were soon home where we made tea and where I rather think we will now stay for the rest of the day.

Tigger has a half-day holiday today. I am travelling to her place of work to meet her when she leaves at 11:30.

St John Street

It’s another sunny day today but so far not too warm, quite pleasant in fact. It’ll probably heat up as the day progresses, though.

Aboard the 153

I’ve chosen to catch the 153 from the stop in St John Street. It’s a quieter, pleasanter ride than on the busy 205.

London Wall

I have to change to the 100 at All Hallows Church in London Wall. According to my bus app, there was a 15-minute wait for the next bus. Fortunately, I stayed by the stop because a bus arrived, unannounced by the app, a couple of minutes later.

Waiting at Aldgate

Having reached Aldgate, it was announced that the bus was early and would wait here for a while. This is a not uncommon annoyance on London Transport buses. What was slightly unusual was that the driver left the bus to visit the toilet!

The Highway

Fortunately, I was early and so the delay didn’t trouble me. In due course, we arrived here in a street called The Highway where I left the bus.

St Katharine Docks

As I was early, I went down, as I usually do, to take a look at St Katharine Docks. If I had hoped to see some ducks and coots and perhaps even a cormorant, I was disappointed as wildlife seems to have somehow been banished from the dock.

Human spiders

As I made my way back to the offices, I spied two window cleaners dangling on the ends of cables like a pair of human spiders.

The atrium

I entered Tigger’s office block and sat down to wait in the atrium which reaches all the way to the top of the building.

Double deck chairs

Near the office is an open space within a buildings complex where there are deck chairs. These chairs are double, that is, they seat two people.

Picnic lunch

Tigger had procured us a picnic lunch to which we added freshly made chips. We also bought a couple of cups of tea.

Dancing fountains

There were also fountains that went through quiet periods and then would suddenly start performing various patterns of what might be described as “spray dancing”.

School clock tower

After lunch, we went for a ramble though I didn’t find the area very interesting. There was a picturesque school with a clock tower but it was fenced off (these days schools resemble fortresses) and I could only catch this glimpse of the clock tower.

Wilton’s Music Hall

We passed by Wilton’s Music Hall which is hard to photograph as it resides in a narrow alley. You can find out more about this venerable institution from its website.

Commercial Road

We eventually reached Commercial Road where we caught a bus.

Aboard the 108

A number 108 bus carried us to Poplar.

Library or “Ideas Store”?

In Poplar we visited what, for my money, is a public library. For whatever reason, it has been renamed “Ideas Store”. Why? Public libraries have always changed to meet contemporary needs and continue to do so. They don’t need to be given twee new names to reflect this fact.

Chrisp Street Market

We visited the Chrisp Street Market which takes place under…

Chrisp Street Clock Tower

…the benevolent gaze of the Grade II listed Chrisp Street Clock Tower.

Bow Church – St Mary’s

Another bus ride brought us to Bow Church, also known as St Mary and Holy Trinity.

We had not come to visit the church but to visit the nearby Nunnery Art Gallery. We come here from time to time as the artworks on show continually change.

Garden in a wheelbarrow

We were disappointed as there was not a lot to be seen this time and nothing that really grabbed our attention. I photographed this amusing piece, a gardener at work in a garden, all contained in a wheelbarrow. Curiously, we couldn’t find any information about it and don’t know who the artist is.

Embroidery on a Old Sweater
Woo Jin Joo

I also photographed this piece which was at least colourful. Like all the exhibits, it is for sale. If you want it, it will cost you £3,200. A snip?

Aboard the 153
Photo by Tigger

We now set off to return home, first catching a crowded 205 and then, at Liverpool Street Station, changing to a 153.

River Street

We changed buses to bring us closer to Amwell Street as we wanted to call in at Myddelton’s deli for coffee to round off our outing. River Street is opposite the deli and, for once, given the hour, was illuminated by sunshine and so deserved to be photographed.

During the week, when Tigger is at work and I am on my own, I try to make myself go out for a walk at least once a day. Going out for a walk of course begs a question: where shall I go? For someone like me, who has difficulty making decisions, that can be hard to answer! Today, however, I decided to walk to Euston Station. Why? Well, why not? 🙂

The weather today might be described as “cloudy with occasional sunny intervals”. The temperature is in the mid-20s C, inducing me to pace myself and not hurry.

Pentonville Road

I set off along Pentonville Road, a busy main thoroughfare that connects Islington with King’s Cross. Originally part of what was first called New Road, it is named after Henry Penton the Younger who developed the area in the later 18th century.

The most famous institution in the area is perhaps Pentonville Prison. The rather grim-looking bulding is not in Pentonville Road, as you might expect, but in Caledonian Road.

Affleck Street

I passed this cul-de-sac which must be one of the shortest streets in Islington. It is called Affleck Street and is named after Admiral Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-88).

Strange sculpture

I noticed the large sculpture affixed to the side of a building though I have no idea what it represents. Is it art or a business logo? I have no idea.

St Pancras Station

At the bottom of the gentle slope of Pentonville Road, one comes in sight of what might be mistaken for a fairytale palace but is in fact the beautiful St Pancras Station. Designed by William Henry Barlow for the Midland Railway, it opened in 1868. It was nearly destroyed by developers but was saved after vigorous public protest led by Sir John Betjeman.

King’s Cross Station

Face-to-face with St Pancras stands the very differently styled King’s Cross Station. Though rather more “modern” and utilitarian in manner, this station, designed by Lewis Cubitt, is the earlier of the pair and opened in 1852.

Euston Road

From St Pancras onwards, this stretch of what was originally New Road is now called Euston Road. You might wonder where the seemingly strange name, Euston, comes from. There is an easy answer: in Anglo-Saxon times, a man had a farm (tun, in Anglo-Saxon) hereabouts. The man was called Efe and his name, albeit slightly modified, has stayed with the place through the centuries.

Entrance, St Pancras Hotel

Within St Pancras Station is a hotel and also apartments. We have had tea in the hotel a couple of times. Today, though, I stopped only long enough to take a photo.

Courtyard, British Library

I stepped into the large courtyard of the British Library where Eduardo Paolozzi’s Newton sits with dividers, measuring out the universe. I wonder what Sir Isaac would think of our modern concept of the universe, which is as beautiful as his but far stranger.

St Pancras Station peers over the wall

From here too we have a glimpse of the turrets of St Pancras Station that seems to peer over the wall into the courtyard.

Euston Fire Station

Just before arriving at Euston Station, you pass Euston Fire Station. It is a pretty building built in 1901-2 but today the view was blocked by a number of vehicles parked in front.

Partial view of the façade

I managed to see a partial view of the handsome façade. The building by is Grade II* listed and quite rightly so.

Euston War Memorial

Entering the station from Euston Road, you pass the war memorial which is now slightly awkwardly placed on a roundabout to be negotiated by incoming buses. It was unveiled in 1921 in honour of the fallen of that 1914-18 war.

Euston Station

Euston Station is unlikely to win any beauty competitions. The current version, which dates from the 1960s, is functional and performs the role assigned to it – that much we can say in praise of it. In front is a large open area with coffee bars and eateries.

Euston Bus Station

I did not tarry in the railway station but went straight to the adjoining bus station. Here I could catch several buses back to the Angel.

Aboard the 73

I caught a number 73 and found a seat at the rear of the bus from where I took this photo. Should I have walked home rather than taken the bus? Perhaps I should, but retracing one’s steps is less entertaining than the outward journey, and riding the bus is also fun!

Tugger is working the early shift today and so we will meet for coffee. She will take the bus to the Islington Green stop where I will meet her. From there it is but a step or two to Caffè Nero.

Chapel Market closing

Tigger left work at 4 pm and kept in contact with me via text. We have this down to a fine art: Tigger changes buses in Moorgate and tells me when she is aboard the number 43 bus. That’s my signal to start walking! I passed through Chapel Market whose stalls, at this hour, are beginning to close for the day.

Angel Central

I crossed through Angel Central. Going via the market and the shopping centre cuts the corner, as it were, avoiding a stretch of busy main road.

Lovely trees, Islington Green

I rejoined Upper Street near Islington Green where I paused to photograph the lovely trees.

Caffè Nero

I met Tigger off the bus and we walked to nearby Caffè Nero.

Coffee is served!

We settled down with our coffee and relaxed.

When we had finished our coffee, Tigger checked her bus app for the next number 30. It was due in one minute! We had to cross the busy main road and as we did so, the bus arrived at the stop. Fortunately, several people wanted to leave the bus, giving us time to reach it before it departed again.

Aboard the 30

Safely aboard, we were carried back to the Angel and home. We have a restful evening in view.