Chapel Market
It was sunny when we set out this morning, though Chapel Market, owing to its east-west orientation, was caught in a trough of shadow.
St Mark’s Church
It was still sunny when we went out after lunch and passed through Myddelton Square where St Mark’s Church was cheerfully illuminated.
Exmouth Market
We found the deli closed and so we continued on down to Exmouth Market. I was not too sorry as it was rather chilly to sit outside with our coffee.
Caffè Nero
We entered Caffè Nero in Exmouth Market and had our coffee there, comfortably seated in the warm.
At the bus stop
Afterwards, we went to the nearby bus stop. It was still dry at this point and I was hoping it would stay dry as I hate both the cold and the wet.
Aboard the 19
We caught a number 19 bus and sat in the rear-facing seats at the back.
Hyde Park Corner
As our journey progressed, I began to notice through the bus window people with open umbrellas – yes, it had started to rain. We left the bus at Hyde Park Corner.
The Wellington Arch
Here, a large island, surrounded by roads, has been chosen as a site for war memorials. What is probably the oldest item there is the Wellington Arch. It was built in 1826-30 and moved here half a century later. Looking at it, you may wonder why it is associated with Wellington. The answer is that originally, there was an equestrian statue of the Duke atop the arch and this prompted the name. That statue is now elsewhere – in Aldershot, I believe.
Royal Artillery Memorial
There are a lot of memorials on this site and we toured them all though I only photographed the Wellington Arch and this one, the Royal Artillery Memorial, which refers to the First World and was unveiled in 1925.
I find war memorials depressing at the best of times and doubly so at the moment in view of the horrible war of aggression being waged by Russia in the Ukraine. All wars are as stupid as they are wicked and as long as nations maintain armies and stockpile weapons any praise of humanity’s supposed achievements must have a hollow ring.
The bus stop for home
It was a relief to make our way across the road to the return bus stop. Happily, we had only a couple of minutes to wait for our bus.
Aboard the 19
We boarded a number 19 bus and sat in the middle, but still rear-facing, seats this time and were carried through the gloomy rain-swept city back to the Angel.
Our weekend is nearly over, unfortunately, and tomorrow Tigger returns to work. At least we still have the evening ahead of us and will make the most of it.
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