This is the weather picture presented by the Met Office today:
Met Office forecast
I felt I should make the most of it, especially as there are rumours of an approaching cold snap.
Features detailed by the sunlight
On arriving at the Angel crossroads, I was struck by how the sunshine was at just the right angle to pick out the details in the design of this building.
Modern buildings, making a contrast
On the opposite corner, these modern buildings made a contrast with the above though the sunshine enhanced their appeal also.
Duncan Terrace Gardens
Crossing City Road, I went into Duncan Terrace Gardens. Here too the sunshine enlivened the scene.
Red flowers
As if to emphasise the feeling that spring almost here, these red flowers added an engaging splash of colour.
Natural chiaoscuro
The low sun cast long shadows, creating a scene of charming natural chiaroscuro. (And yes, I remembered to hide my shadow!)
Regent’s Canal, still visible through the trees
At the end of the gardens, I crossed the road to take a look at the Regent’s Canal, still visible through the trees, as yet bare from winter.
At this point, the notion entered my head to take a walk along the canal, following the left, sunny, tow path. Why wasn’t that a good idea?
A steep path
The path from the street down to the canal is quite steep. I can imagine that in wet weather and, worse still, icy conditions, it could be treacherous. Even today, I preferred to keep my hand on the rail as I went down.
On reaching the tow path, I had second thoughts: the path was crowded with people! I should have guessed it would be from the number of people in the gardens.
The Islington Tunnel
I contented myself with a quick photo of the entrance to the Islington Tunnel, albeit from a not very favourable angle, and made for the path again.
Some people were behaving circumspectly, leaving space between themselves and others, but quite a few were behaving as though they had never heard of Covid. I stood back and waited until the path was clear but, inevitably, I met people coming down.
Paddington Bear peers through the fanlight
Casting about to see where to go next, I happened to glance at this door in Vincent Terrace. Behind the fanlight I saw Paddington Bear looking out at me!
Colebrooke Row Gardens
I entered the second part of the gardens which changes its name here to Colebrooke Row Gardens. These gardens, perhaps you recall, follow the course of the New River that now runs below them. This part is characterised by its collection of rocks.
Wood pigeon
While these gardens are visited by feral pigeons, they also have their resident wood pigeons, like this plump individual. Wood pigeons are heavier and less quick on the wing than their streetwise cousins. Perhaps the pressures of living among people and traffic have made to latter more agile.
Walking the rabbit
A little further along, I saw this man carefully place something on the grass and then stand back to watch. I assumed it was a small dog but no, it was a rabbit!
He told me that he brought the rabbit to the park every few days for her to run about. He added that he had to time it carefully for when there were no people with dogs! The rabbit hopped about, nibbling a leaf here and there. I wondered whether she had come to expect these outings and to look forward to them.
People are contrary
Why is it that people can’t seem do as they are asked, even the things that are sensible and easy to do?
Old St Peter’s Church
This church with the unusually slender spire is or was St Peter’s, a Grade II listed church. Decommissioned as a place of worship, it is now an apartment block.
Old St Peter’s Church
Built immediately before the beginning of the Victotorian era, it is still an impressive sight. I wonder what the apartments are like.
The Duke of Cambridge
Where there’s a church, there’s usually a pub – at least one! – not far away. Near St Peter’s is the Duke of Cambridge, still closed, of course. What amused me, though, was that there were a couple of people sitting at he outside tables just as though the pub were open as usual.
Bell not working, please knock
Here is another case where modern technology has failed, causing a return to old-fashioned and more reliable methods. Unfortunately, the door knocker was removed at some time in the past, meaning that callers have to rap on te door with their knuckles.
Landscape with people
I took this photo to remind myself how crowded it was in some places and how irritable this made me though, of course, if there were too many people about, I was one of those people and others possibly found my presence as annoying as I found theirs!
Here is a happier note to end on: I spotted this squirrel busy among the branches apparently enjoying what he found there.
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