England

A good friend of Kath’s from Uni was getting married in Oxford so we flew over for a long weekend. We picked up a rental car at Gatwick and drove west across to my Aunt and Uncle’s house in Gloucestershire. It is a very beautiful area of the English countryside. Tiny villages dot the rolling hills and the occasional manor hides behind dry stone walls (including those of Prince Charles and Princess Anne). We arrived just in time for a snack before heading out for a delightful dinner in an old country pub. It was so old that the doorframe came up to my chin – obviously the average height of the patrons has changed over the years. Next morning we headed across country to Oxford and headed to the wedding after dropping off our rental car.

The ceremony was held in the beautiful old chapel of Magdalene College (where the couple had met) followed by a reception in the Randolph Hotel. The Randolph apparently has a good name but served up the worst main dish I have ever been given. Risotto is not a complicated dish but was well beyond the capabilities of the kitchen staff that night. I really liked the town of Oxford – the students and bicycles give it a very relaxed feel and the old buildings and the river provide a picturesque backdrop.

Next day we endured a series of crossed wires and miscommunications that proved that five people should never try to do anything without a clear plan decided beforehand. The result was that Pete, Kath and I ended up in Bath for the night. Pete’s friend Jacko came and joined us for a look around the town and the Roman baths. Next day Kath and I caught a train back to London and after enduring a brief trip on the Underground (I can never understand how anyone can put up with the crowds on a daily basis) met up with Dave and Gosia at their house in Clapham. We caught up over a quite meal and few beers before enjoying a relatively early night. Next day we left early for our flight back Milan – arriving late afternoon to warmer weather than London.