It’s a sunny-cloudy day but supposedly dry. We have no definite plan except for the usual starting point:
Myddelton’s delicatessen
We went to the deli for coffee and, though it was a little chilly, we were able to sit outside.
Aboard the 341
Afterwards, we walked down to Rosebury Avenue and caught a number 341 bus. This wasn’t planned: we simply took the first bus to arrive.
Crossing Waterloo Bridge
Photo by Tigger
We crossed Waterloo Bridge and arrived at the bus’s terminus in front of Waterloo Station.
Waterloo Station
We walked through the station but did not tarry there as our goal was elsewhere.
Christmas Trees on sale
We entered Lower Marsh where I saw Christmas trees on sale – the first time this year.
Marie’s Cafe
We were heading for Marie’s Cafe in Lower Marsh where we thought to have lunch,
In Marie’s
The cafe seems popular but the service is efficient and we were soon served.
Walking along Lower Marsh
After lunch, we walked along Lower Marsh. Strangely, despite it being Saturday and Christmas being in the offing, the street was not busy.
Passage down
When we came to this downward-sloping passage, we followed it down.
Leake Street
It brought us into Leake Street, known popularly as the graffiti tunnel. It was once a normal road carrying traffic under Waterloo Station but is now closed to traffic and turned over the street artists to paint the walls and ceiling (and perhaps even the floor sometimes) without penalty.
Artists at work
There were several artists at work. Down here they don’t mind being photographed whereas if they are working in the street they don’t like to be identified as they may be painting without permission.
Ouroboros tiger
This painting struck us particularly, partly because it was well done but also because it seems to marry a tiger with the concept of the Ouroboros. (A tiger is always going to capture my interest, of course!)
Paintings in Leake Street
There are a couple more of the paintings we saw. Interpret them as you will.
York Road
We emerged from Leake Street into York Road..
Aboard the 77
…where we caught a number 77 bus.
Mitcham Road, Tooting
Though we managed to find seats, the bus was very crowded and was a relief to leave it in Mitcham Road in Tooting.
In Wilko
We visited the local branch of Wilko for Tigger to find materials for a project she is involved in at work.
Victorian street lamp
We admired this Victorian street lamp which also doubles as a signpost.
King Edward VII
We sympathised with King Edward VII for being continually on duty in front of Tooting Broadway tube station, albeit only as a bronze statue.
Caffè Nero
We then retired to Caffè Nero for refreshments.
Aboard the 44
Tooting is an interesting district but on a dull, chilly day, walking the streets was not an attractive proposition and so we caught a number 44 bus to Victoria. The journey was rather long and the bus was crowded so it wasn’t the most enjoyable of trips.
Crossing Battersea Bridge
Photo by Tigger
It was some relief to cross Battersea Bridge as it indicated that we were approaching the end of the ride.
Victoria Bus Station
On reaching Victoria, we went straight to the bus station and the platform for the 38 buses.
Aboard the 38
The 38 carried us through the busy streets where Christmas shopping seems to be in full swing among the brightly decorated shops.
The Angel Crossroads
We bus deposited us in familiar territory and I took a last photo as we crossed through the Angel Crossroads from where a short stroll brought us home. I am now looking forward to a quiet evening at home with Tigger.
Posts
SilverTiger 