This year I am determined to explore more of London, and on Sunday February 15th, I headed up to Islington to have a look around the area. Islington has many fine shops and restaurants to offer, but I found the areas slightly away from the upmarket hub to be of more interest to me.

Islington has a vibrant cafe scene, and care had been taken to have a few flowers on each outside table.

Whilst another cafe preferred the more 'lived in' look!

Just a few strides away found the imposing blocks of flats, gathered together. Although the architecture may not be to everyone's taste, they are interesting all the same.

Tall and sky domineering, you can't fail to be impressed by their solid, rugged exterior. Not the most pleasing of colour palettes but the buildings do make a bold statement!

Although architecturally similar, the occupants make their homes individual if only in the variety of things on display in their balcony area, and the relative size of their satellite dish!

Just when you aren't expecting it, a very modern building pops up, with a more pleasing choice of exterior colour scheme.

It was refreshing to see a building not wholly designed with a straight rule, as the Angel Building's curved frontage shows here.

I think it is safe to say that this isn't the neatest bit of wiring I have ever seen!

The good old magazine kiosk, with something to read for everyone, added a bit of colour to the shopping area.

An interesting area of London, and one I would like to go back to investigate further, as I am sure there is much more to see and explore.