London, center of the world

From time to time I gripe about being so far from home, but the fact is, living so close to London, it's not unusual when home comes to us! In the past few weeks we've had a whole lot of visitors - some have stayed for a day, some for a week and some have just passed through for a meal. Regardless of the duration, it's always incredible to see those friendly faces.

Today my old friend Kyle and his adorable girlfriend Katie passed through London on a quick layover en route to Kigale. how awesome is that. check out some of the dear friends we've gotten to say hello to lately:

Two of my best gals and awesome their hubbies joined us for a couple nights of good food and relaxing in Ox:

And then we all hopped off to Barcelona for a few days:

It is often said that I run into people I know wherever I go, but even I was pretty shocked to run into an fellow wakeboarding coach from Muskoka Woods at the Sagrada Familia (hi Brendan!):

A day after we got back my buddy Jordan passed through Oxford for the evening - I finally got to meet his stunning girlfriend Liz:

Everyone moved along except Julie who stuck around and joined me for a couple days in Edinburgh and a few in London where we met up with the lovely Warnock gals for dinner and a show (which was just as good the second time):

Before we were even back from London, the next house guest had arrived. it was good to have a few days with Dean's best bud Fred:

And finally today's travelers, heading back to Heathrow to begin their African adventure:

We've already got two more sets of visitors lined up for August, and Dean's parents will be here next week. So for a little while at least, homesickness is banished!

rollin on a river

One of Oxford's most charming features is the networks of rivers and canals that snakes through its parks and fields and under its many bridges.

This town has a lot of quirky ancient traditions but, thanks to the Thames, the Cherwell and all the little waterways inbetween, the best one involves a picnic lunch, a bottle of champagne and a 1,000lb flat-bottomed boat called a punt.

A punt is really just England's version of a gondola - the punter uses a long pole to push and steer the boat, while fellow Oxford students sit and sit their bubbly and talk about Derrida or classic mythology. it's all a very civilized affair... until a few bottles of Pimms have been consumed and then all bets are off :) It's not uncommon to see barebummed undergraduates hauling themselves up out of the murky river water after a spontaneous dip.

This week we finally enjoyed that Oxford rite of passage and went out for a ride, courtesy of our friends Chris and Heather who, conveniently, have a punting harbour right outside their window at Wolfson College. We passed up the picnic in favour of a local riverside pub. and we managed to stay mostly dry.

Chris punts like he's been doing this his whole life. And Fred chills like he's been cool his whole life.

Heather and I were happy to watch.

Hero shot under Marston Ferry Road

cutie Ewerts

Dean's turn started out a little rocky (or bush-y...)


But he caught on soon enough.

life status: returned to owner

This morning our dear friend and most recent houseguest, Fred, walked with me to the London-bound bus. For once it wasn't me who was boarding.

I went to the grocery store after and, as he packed my bags the clerk said to me: "I usually see you in the evening." A casual comment that is actually pretty revealing for two reasons:

1. my life pattern of the last year has officially changed
2. at least one person in Oxford recognises me :)

I often say that the thing I miss most about Aberdeen is walking down the street and running into familiar faces. Maybe, at some point, I'll have that here in Oxford as well.

So, for nearly two weeks I've been officially unemployed. But that doesn't mean I've not been busy (steady guests and now doing contract work for the business school). On my last day of work I was sufficiently spoiled (in fact, I think I might be onto a good thing with this 'leaving' a job but still working for the company) and then arrived in Ox to celebrate Rachel's birthday at Jamie's Italian with five of my favourite people.

The next morning the six of us hopped off to Barcelona for five days of sun and food and Gaudi, of course.

I was home again just long enough to launder and repack before traveling the length of England by train and enjoying a night with Jules in Edinburgh, and two more with herself in Londontown. Somewhere in that time we also got to have the pleasure of dinner with two more Vancouver friends - Jordan and Liz - and a couple days later our current houseguest arrived to keep Dean company while I was on my girly adventure. whew!

Yesterday Jules went back to Vancouver while the boys and I proceeded to Windsor for a day at the Queen's house.

Seems I'm making up for my year of no fun already.

souvenirs of paris

The French do magazines right. these little beauties have been sitting on the coffee table for three whole weeks waiting to be devoured.

Yesterday was my last Wednesday as a full time employee at the business school which means in a week's time I can fritter away whole afternoons on pretty publications - if I wish.

britain's got talent

subtitle: Simon's "favourite dance act ever"

Tonight Dean and I are doing something we never do: watching primetime UK television. Halfway through the finals of Britain's got Talent and frankly, in awe/laughing our butts off.

By now Susan Boyle and Shaheen Jafargholi (my predicted winner) have made it around the world on YouTube, but not nearly enough attention has been paid the most entertaining of all the acts: Stavros Flatley. It would be a shame if all of you north americans were deprived of the privilege of watching the most charming father and son in Britain, so here you are! watch the final performance here, but pee first.

they're watching me...

England wasn't always the personal security/terrorism obsessed nation it is today, but before CCTV cameras popped up on every city street corner, there were other means of keeping the baddies at bay: gargoyles.

Now, in popular culture we think of these stone monsters as building guardians, ensuring no evil may trespass church walls. But, and I hate to break it to you all, gargoyles are actually just a beautiful, and sometimes frightening, drainage system: they are essentially elaborate water spouts.

Oxford is full of gargoyles of all sorts: hippos, wrestlers, camels, you name it - I'm inclined to think the city's stonemasons were having a bit of a laugh most of the time. They are a big part of this town's charm.

These little guys keep an eye on me as I walk past the Bodleian library every day on my way to the bus. When I finish at the business school (in just over a week!!!) I'll miss seeing their, errr, leering faces each morning.