MONDAY to THURSDAY

WE travelled from Glasgow to London to avoid any train changes.We settled in for a long journey,watched a movie on my iPad and they served us lunch!Once we arrived in London,we had to change train stations and booked a train to Oxford.

Our hotel was a 5 minute walk from the station in Oxford and it was Porterhouse Grill and Rooms.WE had another 2 story climb(our last before Home).We had a large room by European Standards and a wonderful breakfast …. a mixed grill (without blood pudding) eggs and toast.

Oxford was sort of an old stomping ground from our many visits to Rachel and Chris and then came Jake.We had many memories of wondering the streets,visiting museums and walking.

WE contacted Kathleen to finalize our evening plans.We then wandered into town to see some of the old and familiar haunts.WE got caught in a downpour,slipped into a small shop for coffee,food. and shelter…neither of us had brought our umbrellas.Once the rain had passed,we went to visit the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

It had an interesting Remembrance Plaque of the martyr’s of the Reformation,both the Catholic and the Protestant who were brought to Oxford for Execution.

We met Wylder and Kathleen at the Lamb and Flag pub on St. Giles St. WE shared some beers and had long conversations about our trip,Kathleen’s PhD project that was to take her back to Kenya in January for a few months and back to Halifax for some of the summer.Wylder brought up to date with his job in Oxford and his plan to return to Halifax(very soon) for employment in his previous job.He expected different responsibilities and the two would be doing some cross the pond travelling.We solved many problems of the universe before moving to have dinner

WE went on to the restaurant “Pierre Victoire”,a French Restaurant which neither had been to.The food was outstanding and I had breast of pigeon in a lovely red wine sauce……finally a purpose!Our conversation continued with wine ,dessert and scotch.I must make apologies,but the photographer was too distracted by the evening to get any pictures…my bad.We shared a long walk home and said our good byes till the Holidays.

The next morning ,after I completed my Glasgow Blog,we visited the Christ Church Meadows and the Church.The Meadows extends well behind the church and is just one example of the outdoor public gardens and meadows…one can walk forever,surrounded still by lush greenery.

We walked past the Bodleian Library as well as the Sheldonian Theatre and the Radcliffe Square….memories from the past.

I had not seen the Bridge of Sigh in Oxford,that just connected a new and an old part of the same complex.

Michael was hunting for the perfect meat pie.His research on Google sent us to the Indoor Market…Pie Master….success at last.On our way home we wandered through an outdoor market.It was. mostly fruits,meat ,vegetables,treats and wonderful smells of home cooked food!

Tomorrow will be our last train ride as we head to London for our final few days of the odyssey . Only 5 more sleeps till home…..