Westminster to Ampthill

centre of Ampthill

Not an auspicious start.

No bus for 25 minutes – a later train.

No 11 bus very slow to Westminster.

Walked back to the Jewel Tower – in the background the media circus waiting for coalition news. “Look, it's that Welsh one … Kinnock !”

setting off from the Jewel Tower

bus past the Palace of Westminster

Bought a couple of postcards in the Tower, then took a bus along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.

Then after a comfort stop, the 29 bendy bus to Wood Green.

Past the site of the Alhambra, past theatreland, and a huge demolition site on the corner of Tottenham Court Road.

Prince of Wales Passage, Mornington Crescent. Camden High Street, with every charity shop known to man, kebabs and Chinese Medicine. Holloway Prison, Seven Sisters, Finsbury Park – a real park, vast acres of green, and then the less green Green Lanes, traffic crawling to Turnpike Lane and Wood Green Shopping City.

No sign of the 217, walked back to the shops. Took the next 121 towards Enfield. Circuitous route. Took a couple of pictures, then walked through to the 313 – took me back to Enfield Chase, then through increasingly open country to Potters Bar.

Short wait in the bus station for the 84 to St Albans. London Colney, where the Kings Road milestone read London 18 miles.

Clock Tower St Albans

Time in St Albans – 30 minutes rather than the two hours anticipated to call in to the tourist office, buy a paper and take the photograph at the Clock Tower.

Dunstable Priory

Amici teatime

Sunshine on the 84, though a grumpy driver. Flamstead, M1 Dunstable. Plenty of time here for a cup of tea [Amici coffee bar, with blueberry cheesecake muffin] and a stroll to the Priory. A pleasant drive out via Houghton Regis and Toddington – not just Services, but an imposing parish church - St George of England.

In Flitwick guided to the bus shelter by a passenger deputed to the task by the driver who didn't fancy going over the bridge …

An earlier bus to Ampthill, though not to the door of the Prince of Wales.

Checked in, tea, stroll including the header photograph at the central pump and Waitrose for tomorrow's lunchtime sandwich.

table at the Prince of Wales

Evening meal, with mixed company, of Black Pudding, Pie and Mash and Lavender crème Brulée -Henry VIII would have approved.

The first day over – all five calling points visited and photographed – the only day on which that can happen.

First footnote on names.

Two trading names – in North London, the Carsi. Obviously a convenience store: “I’m just popping out to the Carsi ...”

And in Dunstable, The Mouth. A Chinese takeaway. “And down in The Mouth this week ...”