The Bathers come to visit

The other weekend we had Henry and Sonja come and visit us from Bath. Oxford was gracious enough to put on a good show and we were able to spend most of the weekend out and about enjoying the lovely spring weather. We’ve also been rather sneaky in attempting to spread out all the touristy things in Oxford so that we always have something new to do when visitors come. Our evil master plan has been working out just fine so this time Sonja got to go up to the top of St Mary’s Church with me and Henry got to watch the SJC MCR football team in their victorious final league-winning match (well, it was a draw but they ended up winning the league anyway...). St Mary’s is a stunning gothic church in the middle of town and it was great to head up and see the views over lots of the colleges. I had no idea that sundials were such a predominant feature so I think I will have to make a comparative study so I can actually work out how to read them all!

I took them on a tour of St John’s as well (once all the kerfuffle over the Thai Prime Minister’s visit died down – we’re in pretty good company of some illustrious personages here!). Sonja pointed out to me in the little garden to the side of the library that there was some flax, a kowhai and even a feijoa tree!! There must be a New Zealander on the gardening staff... I was very excited about the whole feijoa thing until Sonja told me that you need a boy and a girl plant to have fruit. I think I’ll have to find that NZer and see if there are any extra stocks they can plant somewhere! Henry, as a good architecture student, also pointed out all sorts of interesting architectural elements in college that I would never have noticed before, and I now know the difference between all the brick types (just don’t quiz me on it!).



Lisa’s flat had an early St Patrick’s day party which was great fun on Saturday night and we managed to find some interesting beer from the Grog Shop down the road (I kid you not, that is it’s actual name) to celebrate with. Not exactly Irish, but I think the chilli beer with a massive whole chilli inside it was my definite favourite.


The following day we met up with two of Sonja’s friends from Wellington (one of whom is in some of my classes! Small world...) and went for a big long walk in Port Meadow. I’ve talked about that before, but it’s a big common area of mainly pasture near to our house. We walked along the Thames path up to the pub at the other end and joined the throngs of Oxfordonians (or Oxfordites? I will have to find that one out) who were out enjoying the spring weather. It was even warm enough for shorts and t-shirts!


I took lots of photos, so check them out.