Day 117

When all else fails, take a picture of the cat. more...

Day 116

This is something I've never seen at a university before. more...

Day 115

Today's project: three jars of lovely bramble jelly. One of these is reserved for the first people to come visit us from overseas. The next visitors might get one, if they get here before we eat it up. So hurry up and get those plane tickets booked! ;) more...

Day 114

The cat and the jade plant, both basking in the sun. more...

Day 113

The poor kitty's been ill this week, which has meant three trips to the vet and twice-daily capsules. This is the last one, thank goodness. (And I got it down him all by myself!) more...

Day 112

Moby looks unimpressed. more...

Day 111

Supper or sculpture? more...

Day 110

The orchid I bought in the houseplant sale at the uni. It smells lovely. more...

Day 109

After yesterday's excesses of blackberry-apple crumble and custard, brown rice sounded good tonight - and it was an reason to use the pretty blue Le Creuset and my favourite bamboo spoon. more...

Day 108

Sunshine again! We walked over to Kirkstall Abbey in the afternoon, and collected another pound of blackberries on the way. more...

Day 107

Sunshine!!! A perfect chance to go brambling in the countryside.




Looking down at East Keswick, a village that was listed in the Domesday Book.




Such a gorgeous autumn day.
more...

Day 106

A hedgehog! I have seen a hedgehog at last!!!

I was trying to lure him into the light where I could get a better photo, but that didn't succeed. So all I got was a picture of his back end retreating into the shrubbery. But that's one thing I can tick off my list of things to do in England! more...

Day 105

Attempting to sit down at the table for a civilised dinner. With candles, even! more...

Day 104

I finally finished my fellowship application yesterday, so today I got to clean off my desk and chuck all my notes in the recycling bin. Believe it or not, the application was only three pages! more...

Day 103

Some days you just need a nice cup of cocoa. more...

Day 102

This is about two blocks from our house. I did see plenty of small children heading that way, so hopefully it won't be too loud until too late. more...

Day 101

Going to seed. more...

Day 100

Thirty candles being blown out.

Happy birthday, Jeremy! more...

Day 99

I got my critter from the critter swap today! Isn't he adorable?!!




And here's the one that I made. He's now living happily in northern Scotland. more...

Day 98

Some days are made bearable only by liberal applications of tea. more...

Day 97

It's a good thing we had a pretty sunset tonight, because I forgot to take a photo at the dentist. Such an exciting day. more...

Day 96

These batteries are not charging very well. It's beginning to be a problem. more...

Day 95, Part II: Oxford

Punts below Magdalen Bridge.




Looking across Christ Church Meadow to Christ Church College.




Folly Bridge.




St Aldate's, seen from the top of Carfax Tower.




Magdalen Tower rising above the Botanic Gardens.




A sundial in the Botanic Gardens, with Tolkien's favourite tree in the background.




And just for fun, Portrait of a Duck.
more...

Day 95, Part I: End of the boat trip

Making an early start from Duke's Lock in order to get back by 9.30 am.






All neat and ship-shape, ready to be returned right on time. Given the adventures we'd had, this was astonishing!
more...

Day 94

This was one of the best views the entire trip, coming up through Somerton Deep Lock.




Setting out on a misty morning.




Autumn is on its way!




One of many lovely bridges we saw.




Somerton Deep Lock - 12 feet deep!




Ducks, geese, and boats.




A lift bridge: the bane of my existence.




The sun came out, for a few seconds anyway!




The boatyard and moorings at Thrupp, a very pretty little village.
more...

Day 93

The church at Shipton-on-Cherwell from the canal.




I couldn't resist stopping to have a look at it.




Intriguing carvings around the doorway.




The interior was simple and peaceful.




Cruising through a tunnel of green.




Up close and personal with the High Bush Bridge.




Someone found a lovely spot to moor.




Our galley even came equipped with a little vase, so of course I had to fill it!
more...