Zzzzzzzzz

Basically blogging with my eyes closed... I'm sleepy.

Cooler again, but layered it up and wore lighter colors to make me feel summery.


And hidden underneath were my new sandals from Primark. Last pair, size 6, on sale for £4. sweet.


Getting to work was nightmare. Rotten luck with buses today. I don't want to relive it. But at least there was yummy cake after lunch... With candy and sparkles!


And dinner was a challenge again. Went back to Cafe Coco. Ordered mushroom pizza with pepperoni. And a drink while I wait. Elderflower and mint might be my fav thing ever right now. Got to get my hands on some at home. Anyways... Kitchen out of pepperoni. No biggie, just give me mushroom pizza. 5 min later... Out of mushrooms too. Hot damn, just give me food! Ended up with spinach Parm cream calzone again. And ate every last bit.


No knitting, busy working.
Excuse me while I pass out. My eyes are burning and my brain hurts.

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Adventureland

The weather continues to be cool. Certainly glad that I brought cardigans although I wish I would have packed some lighter colors. After review of my wardrobe, the amount of black, gray, and purple is alarming.


I wish I could say I have another adventure for you, but I have been boring yet again. After work, I realized that after yesterday's venture out for dinner wasn't so painful I decided to do it again. I returned back to the
Ink Giraffe to try something else. I had the Chicken with Sate sauce that was a little bit spicy but had a nice surprise of pineapple in it.


I ate the entire thing with chopsticks. I have gotten pretty good at them given all the Asian/Thai food I have eaten the last 2weeks!
I was also surprised to see that I got a fortune cookie. This is the first one I have seen over here.


Yep... I'm good with that.

Return home to watch Friends and then The Rock. I love that movie. I saw it was on and was so excited. Almost as excited about the fact that Twilight will be on on Sunday! Chillaxin' on the couch doing a little bit of work and then knitting. First full repeat of lace complete on the shawl. 2 more left. Looks good!

::end scene::

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Feeling Fishy

The weather took a turn for the cooler again. Back to cardigans and layers.


Nothing terribly exciting today. New project I am working on that should keep me insanely busy for the next 3 days.
I did venture out today and actually ate a meal in a restaurant. Not takeaway. I went to a local seafood place- Fishers. Luckily it wasn't terribly busy till I was almost finished so I didn't feel too awkward sitting there with my wine and book. (new book... I like it so far. ROOM was great!)


I did however feel a bit weird when these were delivered to the table...


I did eat one...to try. It wasn't terrible. But I don't know that I want to make a habit of eating fresh sardines.
Enjoyed a delicious dinner of fish and chips. (served with mushy peas and gherkins... Only in England I suppose) it was super yummy and I quite enjoyed it. Plus I didn't have to carry food back to my flat and have dishes to watch afterwards! Even better.


Finally made progress on the test knit I am working on for Mindy. It would really help if I knew how to count. Once I got my numbers straight it was smooth sailing. I got 5 rows of lace done tonight.


My knitting smells minty now... my lifeline is mint floss. A knitter will improvise with whatever they have and we all know how much I NEED my lifelines :)

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When Jaws Attacks

Apologies for lack of adventure yesterday. I know you were all dying to know what I wore on the hottest day I have experienced in Oxford.


I did make it out for a small bit of adventure. Some walking but for the most part my aching calves didn't want to have any of it. So you are probably wondering what in the he'll this shark is that I have talked about. Well I went up to the Headington Shops to take a few closer photos for you.


"The headless sculpture, with the label "Untitled 1986" fixed to the gate to the house, was erected on the 41st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Created by the sculptor John Buckley, it is made of fibreglass, weighs four hundredweight, and is 25 feet long."
- From http://www.headington.org.uk/shark/


It caused quite a commotion and was highly controversial. But yet today it remains there. I hear most of the locals don't really even notice it anymore but when you aren't from around here and see Jaws dive bombing a house like a Loon getting a snack... It's certainly not normal.


Forgive the heinous flash and wild hair. The sun was so bright and it was flippin' hot out there!

Post adventure I decided to go relax and attempt to soak up some sun. (with sunscreen of course. I didn't want a repeat performance of Saturday)


The sky had turned the most amazing shade of blue and the park near Headington Hill wasn't too crowded. Some footballers, some people playing guitar and just hanging out. I ate ice cream and knitted and sat there in total peace. No sunburn either which made it even sweeter. I could have hoped for a bit more color though. I'm seriously almost see through.


And today was another hot morning, tried my hand at layering. I think it turned out pretty cute. And comfortable! Why don't I wear dresses to work more often?!


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Over the rainbow

Thanks for showing up in unexpected places.
I cant believe it has been 2 years.
I miss you more and more every day.

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Woodstock, Blenheim, Churchill

Warning: long post with LOTS of pictures.

Today was certainly an adventure. I left dressed in layers (which was a very smart thing it was both chilly and hot at times.) with the intention of taking the bus OUTSIDE of Oxford to head up to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace. Left the flat at 10 and caught the bus at 10:27.





I will warn you now... I took over 300 pictures. I will try to take it easy.

The palace did charge admission but I think it was well worth it. Plus there was a promo where I upgraded my pass for free so I can come back if Mr. Buckeye or Mom want to visit when they come. I walked... A lot. It was at least a quarter mile to get to the palace from the gate. But once I arrived, it was breathtaking.





I made it my mission to do as much as physically possible while I was there. And I succeeded. First up I walked through the palace. Sadly no photography allowed but there were countless portraits, tapestries, pieces of china, and beautiful things to look at. I went through the Winston Churchill exhibit. Did you know he never actually lived here? He was born here though and I visited the room where he was born, he also proposed to his wife here in the gardens. Then I hopped in with the tour tomfollow through the rest of the palace. I know a lot about the Marlboroughs and Churchills and Spencers now. Really interesting. I really wish I could have taken pictures of the long library. It was amazing, 10,000 volumes and the ceiling was gorgeous.
After walking through the chapel I headed outside to the Water Terraces.

















Past the temple of Diana and up to the Rose Garden.





I felt like Alice in Wonderland!

















Then another looong walk to the Cascade where there was a beautiful bridge and waterfall.











Followed by a nice walk by the River.





At this point I hadn't eaten all day so I had some lunch at the water terrace. Cream of Carrot soup with croutons and a roll.





After mustering up some more energy it was time for the gardens. First up- the secret garden.

















And then a trip back inside to tour the upstairs, only it ended up being a story type tour with rooms where you listened to the story of the first Duchess' lady's maid traveling through the ages and learning more about the palace.
I then decided to go outside the palace gates to walk up to the Column of Victory. Again, another long walk. This is about half way up the field.





And about halfway from the palace on the path. Actually standing on the bridge over the Queen's pond.








Sheep! Getting up to the Column was like walking through a minefield.










Of course when I got there I had to walk back. So I stopped to rest once I reached the pond again.



Last up was to head over to the pleasure garden. It is pretty much the family garden and there are activities and games and such for kids. I walked through the Butterfly garden and had to go through the hedge maze. Got lost in there for 30 minutes.



Once I made it to one of the bridges I could scout my way out.



And my trip to Blenheim Palace had come to a close.

But my day wasn't over. I decided to go off the beaten path and walk to the village of Bladon to visit Winston Churchill's grave. It was a good idea in theory... It wasn't until I was walking back that I had embarked on the longest walk of my life. I really thought I was lost but then I started to find things I saw on the bus so I knew it was the right direction... Just way out of the way.



I didn't quite know where I was going and stopped to look at this memorial statue. I saw a little church up at the top of the hill to the left of that building and decided to go take some aerial photos.



Only I had walked to the church where the grave was instead! Thank goodness I stopped for that photo.









Headstone of Churchhill's father. His mother and brother are here as well.



Heading back. I was really way out there...



At least I was going the right direction!



Getting closer!



Whoo hoo! I made it... Over an hour of walking later.



Then of course the bus was 20 minutes late so I waited and waited. But I made it back a little after 8:30. had delicious penne bolognese and soaked in the bath. But oops. Apparently I had some skin showing for the whole day and got sunburned.



Now it's some Bridget Jones time and relaxing with my CEP Compression socks on. My calves are killing me.

Update: I walked approx. 7 miles yesterday in Woodstock/Bladon. Not including walking to and from the bus, the maze and the palace tour upstairs and down... I know this because I have just mapped it. no wonder my legs ache this morning.


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