An Urban Wander around Islington, London N1 (part 3)

So finally, here's the third and final installment of my recent urban wander around Islington, London N1. Follow the links to read part one or part two if you missed them. Before I start, and before someone points it out and embarrasses me, the pictures towards the end of this final post are not technically in Islington and you'll see a bit of Finsbury and Clerkenwell appearing, but I decided against changing the post title as it would have become a bit of a mouthful. Also it's a bit longer than the previous two installments, but I was determined not to stretch the wander to a fourth.

Narrow passageway, Islington, London N1

Beyond the main street that runs through Islington, it really does have a bit of everything. I was particularly impressed by this work of urban topiary on Cross Street. 

Urban Topiary, Islington, London N1

Narrow passageway, Islington, London N1

I'm always a sucker for an old car, and Citroens in particular. I am however not any sort of car officiando, so apart from telling you it's an old Citroen I can offer no further information.

Old Citroen, Islington, London N1

There is so much street art in London, and a lot of it not photo worthy, but I did like this one. A Warhol-esque which I assume is Madonna, but I could easily be wrong, complete with its own, overlaid installation of what looks to be some sort of fencing.

Street Art, Islington, London N1

I had to stand in the middle of the road to get this picture, but I think it was worth it. Fortunately most of the ghost sign is legible, but alas the left hand side has disappeared completely.

??? ZALIA

??? NIGHT CURE FOR

CATARRH

COLDS IN THE HEAD

??? INFLUENZA

???

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

This is quite possibly my favourite ghost sign, spotted on a café in Islington.

Old sign, Islington, London N1

I'm not sure if these are actually bird boxes, and if they are whether they are functional or simply artistic. Either way they caught my eye and I like them.

Bird boxes, Islington, London N1

I had no idea what LATE BLAND was, but a bit of internet research suggests that this was previously a butcher's shop, owned by John Bland.

Old sign, Islington, London N1

This next selection of pictures are all from the same building, Lloyd's Diary on the corner of River Street and Amwell Street. Not only is there some fantastic signage above the windows and doorway, but there was also a doorway mosaic.

DAIRY FARMERS

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

LLOYD & SON

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

HIGH CLASS DAIRY PRODUCE

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

LLOYD'S

DAIRY

Doorway mosaic, Islington, London N1

My wander had by now definitely drifted into Finsbury, as can be seen by the Sign above this café in Pine Street.

Café Postou, Finsbury, London EC1

These next three old signs in Clerkenwell Close are interesting. They are on the former, central storehouse of the Works Department of the London School Board.

STATIONERY DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

NEEDLEWORK DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

FURNITURE DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

And finally for this wander, is an old sign for the

YANNEDIS & CO

BRASS

FOUNDRY

LOCKS

but I struggled to find any information about this ... and it's lunchtime.

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

    

An Urban Wander around Hampstead, London NW3 (part 2)

Reasonably hot on the heals of part one of my Urban Wander around Hampstead is, as you might expect, part two. This part of the wander features the landscape as I drifted in a south westerly direction in a loose attempt to get back to Paddington. I could easily have spent hours here, looking at each street, alleyway, lane, yard, house and doorway in more detail. The selection below is by no means exhaustive and has whetted my appetite for a return visit, hopefully with a more striking sky.

Ginsberg Yard, Hampstead, London NW3

Golden Yard, Hampstead, London NW3

 Golden Yard, Hampstead, London NW3

I'm always a bit of a sucker for outdoor stairways. Shame about the over exposure on this one but I was taking the picture in to the weak sun. Somehow the view from the top of the stairs didn't look so appealing.

Flight of Stairs, Hampstead, London NW3

Narrow passageway, Hampstead, London NW3

  

A cheeky peak into someone's garden, from the road of course.

View into garden, Hampstead, London NW3

Narrow street, Hampstead, London NW3

Alleyway, Hampstead, London NW3

Holly Berry Lane, Hampstead, London NW3

My favourite of this part of my drift. I'm not sure whether these doors had all been recently painted, or just well looked after, but they were a striking sight on this rather dull day.

Brightly coloured doors, Holly Walk, Hampstead, London NW3

 Holly Walk, Hampstead, London NW3

Holly Walk, Hampstead, London NW3