Estorick Museum in Islington

One of my first discoveries in Islington was the Estorick Collection, a small private museum focusing on modern Italian art. I followed Upper Street, one of the main thoroughfares in Islington, up to Canonbury Square where the museum is housed.

Upper Street

Upper Street church and practically next door the neighborhood atheists

Canonbury Square

The courtyard of the Estorick Museum

I had expected to see work by Giorgio Morandi, a painter I have long known and loved, and there was,indeed, one small oil on display. But his stunning etchings were the surprise discovery for me. In some ways, especially in his signature still lifes of bottles and various vessels, the severity of black and white is almost more expressive.

Each small viewing room had one of these exquisite benches. too beautiful to sit on

A sculpture by Emilio Greco

Spring day on the Embankment

Lucky day, I got one of those front seats upstairs on the bus, on my way to the Embankment and the Tate Modern.

Fleet Street

Victoria herself

more signs of spring
View of the Embankment from Waterloo Bridge

Golden Jubilee Bridge with the London Eye in the background

The river is as busy as it was in the time of Elizabeth I

Millenium Bridge and the Gherkin in the background

The front of Ben's building, Bevin Court, taken from the walkway to his apartment

Supper at Wenlock

Nice supper last night at Ben's pub, weekdays are quiet and pleasant

Downstairs, another great bathroom with an old tile floor and wooden stalls

Cinema night at Islington's local theatre, Ben arriving

Friday night at the pub with Ben

By daylight, an ordinary Islington corner.

Inside, this old door was lovely with the evening neons reflected.

Idling with Ben in Islington

Ben's looking great (despite his cold). We dropped off my bags and walked over to the Clerkenwell area for one his favorie lunch places.

another shot, with the whole outfit...well minus the tweed jacket and the flatcap.

Ben's office is on this road.

Sainsbury the local supermarket, a favorite daily stop. Across the street, the brandname shopping centre