Posted on by Janice

Dark November Days – digging out from the doldrums?

Friday 30 November, 2018

Doldrums for the weather and for my blog. Hopefully, the photos will tell the story of what’s been happening during this mostly dreary month. With any luck my ennui won’t show!

Taken early in November. The bark is going and the leaves getting sparse
Taken early in November from my window. The bark is going and the leaves getting sparse
Street art in the back streets of Dalston - ethereal, magical
Street art in the back streets of Dalston – ethereal, magical
A catfish noodle salad box at Bánh Mì Hội-An, Hackney Central
A catfish noodle salad box at Bánh Mì Hội-An, Hackney Central – Passable, cheap, not really a salad!

Behind the counter at Bánh Mì Hội-An, Hackney Central
Behind the counter at Bánh Mì Hội-An, Hackney Central


At St Pancras, a tree from Tiffanys
At St Pancras, a tree from Tiffanys

St Pancras upper level was so busy. Rarely seen it like this - Christmas starts early!
St Pancras upper level was so busy. Rarely seen it like this – Christmas starts early!
But then there are the Christmas biscuits - at Carluccio's, where baked goods are art
But then there are the Christmas biscuits – at Carluccio’s, where baked goods are art
Sue had angel biscuits, Carluccios, St Pancras
Sue had angel biscuits, Carluccios, St Pancras
Kings Cross, not as busy as expected! Trains were cancelled that day due to wind, and power cuts
Kings Cross, not as busy as expected! Trains were cancelled that day due to rain with high winds, and power cuts
Stunned - should I be - at the commercialisation, Yes, people are paying
Stunned – should I be – at the commercialisation, Yes, people are paying
A fairly disappointing risotto at Drake & Morgan, Kings Cross
A fairly disappointing risotto at Drake & Morgan, Kings Cross
I finished off my final Turin doll and wasn't too pleased with it
I finished off my final Turin doll and wasn’t too pleased with it

And there are changes afoot in Hackney. On the Narroway, in a narrow space, there’s a hoarding about a new building behind the Old Town Hall and to the left of St Augustine’s Tower! Living there would be weird.As well, some changes that may not be welcome.

New flats going up in the Narroway
New flats going up in the Narroway
Have I only just noticed the ugly tagging at the bottom of the Peace Mural? This makes me sad
Have I only just noticed the ugly tagging at the bottom of the Peace Mural? This makes me sad
On one side of Kingsland Road, the old shopping mall - full of oldfashoned shops, darkness and cheap stalls
On one side of Kingsland Road, the old shopping mall – full of oldfashoned shops, darkness and cheap stalls
On the other side of Kingsland Road, the future - New flats and a smart new-brand M&S
On the other side of Kingsland Road, the future – New flats and a smart new-brand M&S

I made a trip to Spitalfields and Brick Lane with an old friend and discovered new street art. It will always be changing but so too is the area, with some new flats slated to be built somewhere on Hanbuy Street, if developers get their way…and they probably will. Tower Hamlets council is known for being ruthless.

Liverpool Street Station, not so busy yet
Liverpool Street Station, not so busy or decorated yet
The queue at Dennis Severs House. I toyed with the idea of another candlelit Christmas tour
The queue at Dennis Severs House. I toyed with the idea of another candlelit Christmas tour

But Christmas is coming. And the beginning of something brighter and more colourful…! Dollmaking, decorating, merrymaking, and the various artificial lights are beckoning.

I hardly ever go in McDonald's but she made my visit worthwhile!
I hardly ever go in McDonald’s but she made my visit worthwhile!
I made a Christmas doll. She makes me smile
I made a Christmas doll. She makes me smile
In the distance, from the kitchen window, the Shard and other buildings are dotted with red Christmassy light, although my camera won't show it
In the distance, from the kitchen window, the Shard and other buildings are dotted with red Christmassy light, although my camera won’t show it
In the dark kitchen, we have a colourful string of lights that stays there all year. Right now it's a cheerful sight
In the dark kitchen, we have a colourful string of lights that stays there all year. Right now it’s a cheerful sight