Today I woke up to a very cold, windy and wet day. The skies are dark and I’m glad I have nowhere special to go. I’ve decided to document my neighbourhood a bit by taking a walk in different directions and doing a pictorial essay.
I’m planning several so if this is not your thing, move along!
My first walk was to the Tesco supermarket yesterday and nothing could be more routine than that. Explanations in the captions under each photo.
Leaving the house – my window view at ground levelWalking towards Hackney Central on my street. I love that it’s curved – somehow I always find that shape romanticThis house on my street always has its tree decorated. Gives me a smile every timeTowards the railway bridge. There’s another just around the corner – the two lines are closeUnder the railway bridge are the ‘arches.’ with space at a premium, many businesses start up here. Sometimes they’re rough, like these body shops but often they are trendy (more of those another time)A lot of Caribbean cooking in these parts. This the spot I can pick up plantain – yum!There’s a five point junction at the top of the street. In the centre is the refurbished 19th century Pembury Tavern. You can also some of the many busesOn the other side of my street, the disappointing selection of shops, including the worst Chinese food anywhere, a burger (from frozen) joint, and a sushi place run by not-Japanese peopleHackney Central is slowly gentrifying. Soon everything will look like thisAs a contrast – on the left an old estate building and on the right an old building that has been reclad
Old homes on the left, estate on the rightAnother curved street off the main roadThe Mess Cafe where you can build your own breakfast and get a three-scoop milkshake. It was the first less traditional food place on the street, although the menu seems ordinary enough.Preloved – vintage shop. Love this place. The owner takes a lot of pride in how it looks inside and out – at Christmas it outshone all others in the neighbourhoodAfter the entire corner had major fire and structural damage, up went a new hotel next to the station (on the right)The Junction of Amhurst Road and Mare Street – one turns into the other, The railway bridge marks the neighbourhoodI made a quick detour into Marks and Spencer (M&S). So glad we have one in our neighbourhood
Things like this are what makes me hang in with Marks and Spencer.Their food is fresh and inventiveThe best thing is coming at the right time for the marked down food. Some of the tags make it really worthwhile.I love a bargain!Leaving M&S and headed onto Mare Street for TescoTesco Morning Lane – not the nicest but the closest!From Tesco looking out to Morning Lane, slowly gentrifying although not visibly so hereWelcome to TescoSuch a good idea and I see children taking the fruit so that’s great!Sunday pandemonium at the tillsThe reason we are fat! Look at these prices!The selection of cheese at such good prices is amazingOn my way home – A new kebab shop is opening – with the usual offerings. Not a fan but I might give it a go!My bus stop if I’m lazy or laden down but today, as often, the next bus was ages awayWhere the wood is there was a big fire. It consumed Dixy Chicken. Now Londoners love their fried chicken so it was a major disaster! 🙂 On the right, ahead, is a building I find really ugly and Krish admiresThis is Academy Place – I love alleys like thisExtraordinary number of barber shops and hair salons. The barbers are often open late into the nightAlmost homeHome! ‘Our’ tree is now completely bare so we have more light
