Finally

The fall students are finally here! I was so happy to see the coach pull up in front the houses today. I've certainly enjoyed my alone time, but it has been a bit lonely. I may not be quite ready for classes to begin, but I am glad for things to get underway.

Hertford Bridge (Bridge of Sighs)

I had a fun, yet hectic, week. The Morgans worked me like a slave! Okay, not quite, but we sure did work hard. We had to make sure that every bedroom and kitchen had all of the correct items, and then go and buy anything that was missing.

Thankfully I was payed in food. What a fantastic payment. We had chicken Korma (left over from our International Feast :D) and then us ladies watched Sense and Sensibility. The next evening Jacque and I went to Al-Shami, a Lebanese restaurant in Jericho. My meal, Shish Taouq, was amazing. We came back to houses and put on a cute little movie called Serendipity while we enjoyed tea and biscuits.

I am so proud of myself, because I gave correct directions to someone this afternoon in town. I'm glad I know where the Randolph Hotel is. I am disappointed that the Pitt Rivers museum will not open until 2009. So sad, but I suppose I'll be able to find other things to do here. In fact, I found out today about a horse show that will be held at Blenheim Palace. Hmm, now that sounds like a fun day out.

Monkey gargoyle

Relaxing in Derbyshire & Cheshire

I spent this last week with some family friends at their house in Macclesfield, which is just outside of Manchester. I had a wonderful, relaxing time. Well, as relaxing as a time can be in a house with a three-year old.

I was proud of myself for flying from Ireland to Manchester by myself. My first solo flight, and it was international! Thankfully everything went smoothly and I had a friendly face to pick me up from the airport. My meals during my stay were fantastic. The husband is from Glasgow, Scotland, where his family owns a farm. Our Sunday roast was straight from his farm and complete with potatoes, parsnips, leeks and yorkshire pudding.

On my first day, we drove to Chatsworth, a wonderful stately home that is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The drive up there was lovely as the road winds through the Peak District National Park, amidst fields of sheep and purple heather. We also drove through Bakewell, home of the scrumptious Bakewell Tarts! The interior of Chatsworth is very interesting, though I cannot quite imagine living in such a large house. Wood paneling in many of the rooms darkens the rooms and leaves them with a sort of unwelcoming ambiance.

Chatsworth

Mr. Darcy

The gardens are extensive and quite stunning. The outside of Chatsworth is much more well known to me as it serves as Pemberley in the Keira Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice. I feel like a true Pride and Prejudice fan now. I even watched the BBC adaptation of the novel with the McCoulls.

Later in the week we headed to Lyme Park, yet another mansion house. It's role in the BBC Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley drew us in. It is also very beautiful, but dark inside.

Lyme Park

The day before I left we visited the beautiful village of Prestbury. I spent some time praying and reading inside St. Peter's church, one of the oldest Parish churches in the country. I also walked around the church grounds and took advantage of my solitary state to sing a little. There is a Norman chapel on the site and fragments of a Saxon Cross, both very interesting.

I had a wonderful week, and had a ton of fun playing with little Rhianna. I am so thankful for this family and their willingness to put me for a week (and put up with me for a week).

Now I'm back in Oxford, waiting for the fall student to come over. I'm a bit lonely right now, but this freedom has been very relaxing. I'll spend this week helping to get the houses ready for everyone. Thankfully, I'm already all settled in.

The Emerald Isle

What a time I've had in Ireland! It was a wonderful week, though I must admit parting with my family was difficult. I know I am doing this later that many people, but it's all new to me.

We flew into Dublin in a slight drizzle, and the rain barely stopped from that point onward. We spent the next day touring Dublin. This included a visit to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. I absolutely love tis illuminated manuscript. We saw bog bodies at the museum and P45 and P46 in the Chester Beatty Library. Papyrus 46 is one of the oldest New Testament manuscripts known to exist and contains Paul's letters.

We spent the next day driving to our cottage in Ballyvaughan. We stopped at Glendalough, a monastic complex, and saw its round tower, which is unique to Irish monasteries. Unfortunately the rain slowed us down, even forcing us to turn around at one point because the road was flooded. Upon our arrival at the cottage we discovered that the caretaker had lit a lovely peat fire for us. This was a welcome warmth and we proceeded to light fires every night of our stay.

Sunlight on the Burren

Our cottage was in the heart of the Burren, a barren rocky landscape in the west of Ireland. Monday was spent driving around the Burren - visiting megalithic tombs, old stone circle forts and high crosses. The day was rainy, but the historical monuments we viewed were well worth it. In Kilfenora, a village with several high cross, I had the best chowder I have ever tasted. The seafood all around was delicious, and I even had mussels once!

Sky Road, Co. Galway

We spent another day up in Connemara. This drive included some of the most beautiful scenery of our entire stay. Thankfully the rain let up enough for us to hike in Connemara National Park. I was joyful to see some Connemara Ponies inside the park. Later in the day we went horseback riding along some beaches. It was amazing! The beaches were gorgeous, and I had so much fun with my horse Monty.

Wednesday we went out and watched the enormous waves crash into Doolin Point. That evening we went to Monks, had amazing desserts and listened to live Irish music. 

On Thursday, we ventured out to Cork and Blarney Castle. The day began without a cloud in the sky. Heavy mist in the valleys gave the country a surreal, sort of magical feel. I kissed the Blarney Stone, which is supposed to give me the "gift of gab". It was an interesting experience, anyway. We ended our day with a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. These majestic cliffs plummet drastically into the ocean. Unfortunately we didn't see any puffins at the Cliffs of Insanity.

The Cliffs of Moher

Ireland was so beautiful, like a place straight out of a fairy tale. The rain was a bit annoying. We knew Ireland would be rainy - hence it's green expanses. But leave it the Childers to be there during one of the rainiest times in history (it was reported. that the floods in Dublin were the second worst ever recorded).

The Oldest College

I cannot believe that this month has gone by so fast! Tomorrow is our last day of class. Thursday we leave Oxford at 7:00 am and head to London to board various planes. My family will be off to Ireland for a week, along with the Rankins. Most of the group, however, will be flying back to Dallas. I won't see any of them again until December. I've had a lot of fun these past few weeks, and I'm thankful for the friendships that have been forged. I, for one, am not ready for this to end.

I'm thinking Treebeard

On to more fun things, today my family toured the Merton library. It was fantastic! The library dates back to the 14th century. It is the oldest continuously functioning library in the UK. Dad and I decided that Yankee should make a "musty library" scented candle. The grounds are beautiful and the chapel is lovely. Perhaps of interest is the fact that Merton is J.R.R. Tokien's college (I'm sure that's why Dad chose to study there).

Merton Tower

Yesterday, we ventured into the Botanic Gardens. This is an interesting conglomeration of native and exotic plants. Interestingly, the exotic plants include cacti! I've been doing a lot of reading and writing for my classes, and now I'm looking forward to a few weeks of break. I presented my final project for the Symposium today, and I think it went nicely.

Botanic Gardens