Greyhound

My latest, and possibly most ill-advised, ebay purchase: the pewter keyring in the shape of a greyhound. I need to get out more.

Kite Flying

It was a beautiful day on Sunday. Somewhere high up in the sky is a stunt kite, catching the wind.

Trashing

Friday after exams, it looks like someone got hit by a feather pillow among other things. Magpie Lane was a fragrant mess on Saturday afternoon--eggs, cheap wine and other stuff I'd rather not think about.

Lib

I took a sneaky pic inside while reading.

Typical Tuesday

Woke up early for a change, but I was still second in the shower. Someone hit the road at 7.00 this morning. After my shift in the library, I walked down to the post office then stopped for a coffee and a moment to read. Back at home now and getting ready to gear up again.

Monument

I found this monument near the church at St Cross.

Sushi

It's been another rainy day here, although I swear I saw the sun this morning when I woke up. Not sure where it's gone, but hopefully we'll get another dose of summer in June.

Golden Cross

Some believe Shakespeare and his company of actors performed Hamlet here in 1593. Golden Cross dates back to twelfth century. It was once a coaching inn but is now a Pizza Express.

Rainy Day

Yet another wet day here. I found this snail inching its way across the stoop.

Yellow Roses

Another rainy day here. I spotted these lovely yellow roses on my way to buy a Sunday paper. It's a bank holiday weekend here but there are a surprising number of students still around.

Wallflowers

As always, my eye is drawn to plant life whenever I'm out.

Foliage

Surely it's too early for the leaves to be changing colour? Is this little elm offshoot on a different timetable?

TATS

My lunch courtesy of the fine men and women at the alternative tuckshop on Holywell. Without them, I would be scraping cold beans out of a tin. Big writing day. Hugely tired but must press on.

Back Garden Views

It's been awhile since I've posted a picture. This is largely due to the weather. It's been raining off and on for over a week now. I stepped out into the back garden this evening and took a few shots. There is a canal running along the back of the property.

Gosslings

While walking along the river, I spotted these gosslings huddled for warmth. It was very cold today. Just outside of the frame are another three adults, which suggests they're co-parenting.

Lilacs

I walk past this lilac bush nearly every day, but it looked especially nice tonight.

Phone Box

Another sign of spring, the phone box gets a new coat of paint.

Blue Scooter

So cute. Wouldn't it be fun to hop on and drive away?

Outhouse

A bit grim but this butterfly caught in the web caught my eye.

Freesias

Poppies

Spotted these lovely yellow poppies fluttering in the breeze while walking this morning.

White Van

Depending on your view of marriage, the notice on this van could have one of two effects. It might encourage one to keep a careful distance out of respect for the precious cargo contained within. Or it might create an overwhelming desire to ram into the back repeatedly until the windscreen was a thick blur of white icing. It really just depends on the person. Or the given day, I suppose!

More Signs of Spring

Earlier today, I went for a walk around town. It was warm and the scent of blossoms was on the air. At this time of year, Oxford seems like an idyll.
I spotted these daisies on the grass near the English Faculty.
This lilac bush is just starting to bloom.
These irises are growing in the front yard.

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.