Easter

This weekend, Matt and I went to France. We caught the late night ferry in Dover then drove all night to the Loire Valley. Although it was tiring, especially for Matt the designated driver, we had lovely weather and little traffic for the most part.
Our first day in Bourges we walked up to the cathedral before retiring to the Ibis for some much needed sleep.
A view of Bourges cathedral early on Saturday morning.
We spent the day driving through the Loire, which was beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures. We stopped in Blois for the night. This is the view from our table when we had our morning coffee.
For some mad reason, we thought it would be fun to drive into Paris. It wasn't. Matt did an admirable job of coping with the traffic; I did not.
The river Seine near the Louvre
Les Jardins Tuileries, where we had a nice break in the shade.
Fearless driver and personal hero.
On our way out of Paris, a view of an apartment taken through the sunroof.
We arrived in Amiens later that evening. The cathedral was spectacular.
A detail from the cathedral of various people, some of whom lost their heads.
After doing a little shopping (i.e. stocking up on cheap wine), we caught the ferry from Calais. This is the boat that went before us.
A view of the port at Calais as we set out to sea.
The white-ish cliffs of Dover.
Back in the UK, the port at Dover.

London

We were in London this weekend and went up on the Eye.
A detail from the Eye.
A view of London, can't remember which direction.
View of St Paul's from the Millenium Bridge.

St Ives

Birdwatching

Although this heron seemed poised for action, it had little success finding fish. The Thames is still running high and March is roaring like a lion. Very cold here.

St Patrick's Day

Not a big deal here. Which isn't surprising when one considers its unlawful for either the monarch or prime minister to marry a Catholic. I did notice a few people stumbling out of oirish pub who seemed fairly fluid in Guiness. Nor much else to report. We're enjoying a quiet weekend at home. Freak snowstorm is predicted for next week.

Street Fire

Broad Street was transformed on Friday night, filled with candles and braziers. The street lights had been turned off, making it feel slightly medieval--provided one ignored the glow of cell phones and the odor from overheated scented candles.

In Bud

The force that through the green fuse drives the flower /
Drives my green age --Dylan Thomas

View inside Rad

This didn't come out quite as I'd hoped, but I'm posting it anyway.

Garden

This isn't my garden. It's a plot across the street that caught my eye. No one really looks after the student properties, but it's amazing to see what thrives despite the neglect.

Restoration

Restoration work is ongoing around the Bod. It was quiet today, but last month it sounded like the crew was playing leapfrog up above us.

Oxfordshire

Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill, in Woodstock, just outside Oxford.
The view from our lovely b&b. After dinner at a local pub, we watched the lunar eclipse from a nearby field.
On Sunday, we drove a short distance from North Leigh and walked down to site of 2 AD Roman villa.
A view of the villa foundations. On this site, extensive mosaic floors were uncovered. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any pictures as the tiles are sheltered by a locked structure.

Crocuses

Unlike the prairie crocus, these come up early and are very bright. I spotted them outside the Faculty underneath some trees.

London

This weekend Matt and I went up to London. Although I took lots of pictures, unfortunately I lost my camera. Here's one I pinched from the web. We walked up to the top of the Monument on Saturday afternoon. It was intense: a tight spiral with just over 300 steps. Great views though!

Commute

Another day, another virgin train.

Valentine's Day

Detail from a lovely bunch of roses.

Shelving

It is never ending.

Cotswolds

At the end of the day, Matt and I went for a walk through the fields. It was very muddy and the water is incredibly high.

Last of the Snow

The tragic remains of a snow man: his nose, pipe and eyes. It's almost surreal how the grass is so green and lush, despite the snow.

Minster Lovell

We started out day out in the beautiful Cotswold town. We walked around the remains of the 15th century manor home. It was very boggy by the service buildings, so I'm sure it wasn't an easy place to live. It must have been very damp.

Dry Stone Walls

Reading

Reading may be as old as anywhere in England, but it always feels like a Victorian city to me. The red brick of the county office pretty much sums it up.

Tulips II

Heavy Snow Day

Essential Fluids and Unguents

Coffee, cola, lip balm: all essential elements on the road to writing.

Library Work

A view from my chair this afternoon.

Tulips

Lucky me. Someone brought me tulips. I can't wait for spring!

February Morning

I took this picture on my way back from running some errands this morning. As you can see it's a pretty bleak misty winter's day. But there are still touches of green at the edges. Winter without snow can be very confusing!

Frost Survivor

It went down to -2 in the night. Some things seem to have died off but this little violet, or is it a pansy, seems to have weathered the cold. The photo quality isn't great I'm afraid, since it's been enlarged.

Sunset

I went for a walk around the Thames yesterday. It was a beautiful afternoon. As always, the birds seem so peaceful on the water.