Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

John attended a conference in Oxford this week and the organizers rented a hop-on-hop-off bus for a tour of Oxford. I was delighted for the opportunity to join the tour and be a tourist in my own town. I learned all kinds of things I didn't know about Oxford. I also loved seeing the streets of Oxford from the top of the bus. It's a great perspective being eye-to-eye with the gargoyles.

 The view from the back of the bus

An amazing roof-top pad on the High Street

When I can't look in the shop windows suddenly I notice the color of the building above

The colorful High Street

Up Close with the Gargoyles

Empty punts on the Cherwell

Queens College on the High Street

Holywell Street

The Broad Street -- looking towards Debenhams

Turl Street

Broad and Catte Street

Broad Street -- looking toward Hertford College

How To Speak British

I love Anglophenia's videos.  They are a fun way to learn about all things confusing about Great Britain.  

The Lake District - Northern Lakes

Two weeks ago, on our way back from Scotland, John and I drove through one of our many favorite places in the U.K. -- the Lake District.  This time we visited the northern lakes where we hadn't been before.  It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with lakes, mountains, villages and hamlets nestled amongst magnificent landscape. It is one of those places where I just can't get enough of the English countryside.  I could have happily stayed for weeks exploring the myriad of walking trails.  It was quickly added to our list of favorite places that we must come back to.   

Derwent Water near Keswick

Buttermere Lake

Scotland's Historic Vote: Independence or Unity?

On September 18, Scottish citizen's living in Scotland (those who live in England or elsewhere are not allowed to vote) will decide whether to continue a 307-year partnership with England or declare independence from the United Kingdom. Either way, this vote will be history in the making.

John and I were in Scotland last week for a few days.  Everywhere we went there were signs for the vote.  There were 10 times more "Yes"  than "No" signs. But when we asked people we met how they intended to vote, everyone we asked said they would vote "No".  Confusing?  It gets worse.  One day the polls have the "Yes" vote for independence leading.  The next day, the polls say that unity will win and the "No" vote is ahead.  It is a white knuckle, neck to neck, razor close race and everyone in the U.K. feels passionate about about the outcome, whether they can vote or not. 

Here is an analogy for my American friends:  Imagine if Texas (or California, or your state) arranged an up-or-down vote to secede from the United Sates. The only people who could vote would be Texans living in Texas and the outcome of the vote would be binding and would forever change the definition and boundaries of the United States as well as the newly formed country of 5 million people.  That is roughly what the United Kingdom is facing on September 18.  If Scotland secedes, there will be all kinds of changes for both Scotland and for what remains of the United Kingdom. If the vote is to stay united, the issues that divide the voters will not soon go away, there will be continued tension and, for half the country, deep passionate regret. This opportunity to vote for independence won't come again in any of the voters' lifetime.  At the same time, if Scotland votes for independence, there is no going back.  

I've listened to many debates, read pro-independence and pro-united articles, and have felt the bludgeoning force of the political threats (i.e. Bank of Scotland and many other corporation claim they will leave Scotland if it becomes independent) and even I can see the merits of both sides of the arguments. Even so, if I could vote I would vote for the U.K. to remain united but with more self-governing powers going to Scotland.  At the same time I can see why the Scots want their independence and the opportunity to govern themselves. It has been fascinating to watch this process, think about all the questions this vote has and will continue to bring to the forefront,  and to realize that I care deeply about the outcome. 

For more information: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/world/europe/many-questions-arise-from-scottish-independence-vote.html?_r=0

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/09/15/scotlands_independence_vote_seen_as_razor-close_123973.html 

If you could, how would you vote?  What does this election mean to you? 

Prince William (sans Kate) visits St Hugh's College, Oxford

One of the reasons I love living in Oxford is that there are always unexpected  and delightful surprises.  Today's surprise was a visit from Prince William. 

He came without Kate due to the fact that she is suffering from acute morning sickness and just announced her pregnancy to the media this morning. It is all over the news here!  Nine months of baby madness to come.   

The occasion of William's visit was the official opening of the new Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Center at St. Hugh's College.  The official greeter was lovely 5-year-old Bethlily Barton who had a bunch of flowers for William and a stuffed animal for Prince George.  

William was both taller and leaner than I expected.  He was also as gracious as could be and tried to make sure everyone there had a wave or a smile or a handshake.  

It was over in a flash -- William was whisked inside the college and the crowds disbursed.  As I walked away, the conversations I overheard were not about William or his visit here -- they were all about the new baby to come.  

Congratulations, William and Kate!

Spiders, spiders everywhere!

This time of of year in England it seems that there are spiders everywhere. The cooler weather encourages them to seek warmer places (i.e. our home). To my chagrin, they are moving in and making themselves very comfortable!   Fortunately most of them are harmless and they make spectacular webs in our garden. 

For more about the annual invasion of spiders: 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/8102105/Spiders-come-out-in-the-autumn.html

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/the-autumn-invasion-of-spiders-into-our-homes-1-3810660