Oxford With John and Belinda

Before I start, a quick shout out to the guys at work holding down the fort while I'm on holiday.

Today might have been the day I have been most looking forward to of my trip.

A little backstory. Ten years ago, we went on a vacation to France, with Belinda, who was the maid of honor at our wedding, and her family. They brought her father-in-law, John. He is a retired, British diplomat, who has also had positions at Oxford University. More importantly, he has wonderful stories and is great fun.

I saw him last New Years with Belinda's family at Silverstar. I mentioned that I might be in Oxford for a couple of nights, would he be able to hang out? He said he would and that is the introduction to my day.

John and I met up about 9 and started our day in a drizzle that became a downpour. We walked along a series of side streets stopping to look into the courtyards of various colleges.

We then went outside the old city walls and walked through a park.

We had done our first of a number of loops. Through a passageway, out into another college, John said there are 29 colleges that make up Oxford University.

I think the initial plan was to go Blackwell's bookstore and get a coffee, but since it was 10:30 on a Sunday, it wasn't open, yet. So we went to a pub and got a pint. It was really an opportunity to get out of the weather and dry off.

We went to Blackwell's and wandered through the store, then decided to go find lunch (at another pub). I had a steak and onion pie.

From there we walked to a park and sat by a cricket pitch. It was the first break in the weather that day.

About 2:30, we went back to the center of town and met Belinda. She took us out to the Mitford house where it was the first day of a sculpture exhibit. Since it was now 3:00, it started with tea.

We walked through half the exhibit, but I was getting a little tired, plus, storm clouds were on the way.

Back to the car, and, since there was construction the other way on the way out, we went a different way back crossing over a private 5p toll bridge.

We dropped off John, then Belinda took me to her house where she made sausages, mashed potatoes and grilled onions for Sholto (her son) and me. Delicious.

The final triumph of the day, Belinda drove me back to the hotel in Mark's (her husband) new sports car. 

The day was a huge success, but I was too tired to post, so I am writing this on the bus trip to Winchcombe.