An Afternoon Ride Through the Cotswolds

After a walking tour through Oxford University with a graduate from thirty years ago from the Law College turned journalist in the morning, we made our way through the Cotswolds in the afternoon. We were in search of speckled pigs but could not find them. We did however, come across some ancient Roman ruins, some beautiful countryside, and many single lane roads. It has been a stretch of very sunny and hot days, and the townsfolk are apologetic about the dried grass. Everyone has sunburns. We ended the day at an inn for dinner. Each day has been better than the one behind it. It is a joy to leave the navigation and planning to others, for which I am eternally grateful! 

In Search of a Fan in Oxford

We left Winchester this morning for Oxford after a lovely walk to see the actual "round table" and a stroll through the city center. It took about an hour and a half. We arrived at our inn, ate lunch, met a lurcher - looks like a greyhound- and took a cab to the University to plan the next day excursion. I almost fainted during the walk in the heat. It is unnaturally hot and sunny here. Although it is very scenic we still needed a fan. When we hailed a cab to take us home, we asked the driver to stop someplace that we could buy a fan as no place around here is air conditioned. Staples sold out yesterday. The hotel does not have any. We are in for another hot and sleepless night. So much for traveling- even if it's beautiful and historic Oxford. I much prefer comfort, convenience and air conditioning. I miss Washington DC! But I do love our company here. 

The Animals of Winchester, Chawton, and Newbury

It was a delightful stroll through the meadows in Winchester where we came upon swans and two fluffy cygnets, a rat under a bridge - not so delightful - a few cows, a heron, and a growling dog. Just down the road from Jane Austen's house in Chawton was a very large flock of sheep next to a grade school that is still in session. The kids get six weeks of summer vacation. For lunch we stopped at the Feather and Fur. There is a chicken coop filled with hens out back that supply the eggs. On to Highclere Castle in Newbury where Downtown Abbey is filmed with more sheep, goats and horses. I really love animals as they are entertaining and useful! What better places to serve as backdrops to these wonderful creatures. 

Jane Austen and Winchester Cathedral

I usually stay away from the typical touristy places and we are fortunate to have friends that can take us to interesting spots off the beaten path. We left our friends in Buckinghamshire and joined our friends from the US and drove to Winchester. There, the most important author - to me- died and is buried. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite novel and we have watched the PBS version more times than I can count. So it was with a great deal of respect that we visited Winchester Cathedral that is Jane Austen's final resting place. We also saw the house where she died and observed along the paths we walked the scenes she must have observed. What a treat to be in this place. My only complaint is that we are croaking from the heat as there is no air conditioning or fan. It is called the Wykeham Arms. I didn't like him in the novel and I definitely don't like him now, even though I am sure the name is purely coincidental. For this alone I miss the good 'ole US of A. I'm simply too practical to travel outside of it!

The Dogs of Cookham, England

Today we took a little ride to Cookham from Buckinghamshire, where our friends live. There is the River Thames, and locks, and restaurants. It doesn't matter where I go, the one thing that captures my attention is a dog of any size or shape. I like to draw their portraits on my Ipad, and hang them in the Wagtime Shop on Capitol Hill, and take special orders on my Etsy shop. I've had requests as far away as Australia. We had two dogs in Milwaukee - a golden retriever named Natasha, and a Borzoi named Tatiana. I much prefer large furry dogs to small, yippee ones. My husband  asks me if I think we would ever get another one. We have not decided, but in the meantime I will continue to be enchanted by these friendly creatures wherever they live. 

The Signs of London

If you are interested in a sperm donor, the number to call us on the subway sign. The impending royal birth seems to be of more interest to Americans than British. If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan the red phone booth is filled, cleaned, and refilled with notes to him right outside St. Bartholomew's Hospital which is over 1000 years old. Streets are named after whatever was happening on them so long ago - milk, bread, and love among other things. I still can't get used to the driver on the right side of the car and the street reminds you to look right. I don't think it helps! The toilets are available downstairs, and the way to St. Paul's is clear. Our day in London was very enjoyable with our friends who live in Buckinghamshire and more friends who joined us from Paris. They are colleagues of my husband who all went to medical school in Iran. They have a lot to talk about - all in Farsi, with a little French and English in the mix.  

The Trip From Hell

We were stopped at the United counter at Dulles because they thought we needed a visa to travel to England. My husband is originally from Iran and thank goodness the passport proves his US citizenship! We were supposed to leave at 10 PM, but were delayed because the baggage count did not match the passenger count, so we had to wait for 3 passengers late from a connecting flight. During that time a huge rainstorm erupted leaving us in the plane next to the terminal for FOUR hours in the cattle section. Our narrow window to escape closed. The first class passengers lost their Internet access so the system had to be rebooted about 6 times. Several mechanics were running to the rear of the plane to do we don't know what. When we finally took off it was 2 AM. On the way up the plane was hit by lightning. The stewardess stopped mid sentence and everyone was a bit uncomfortable. The captain finally came on to say all the electrical was working. Everyone was very cooperative because they were asleep. I can only say there was a lot of turbulence and it was the worst flight I've been on. We very happy to finally land after our almost 11 hour flight to London. Please give me a reason why people like this inconvenience. I hope I forget it soon so we can enjoy the time with our friends who are there on the other side of the ocean.