Oxford June 16, 2007 We arrived in Oxford yesterday. We took a bus from the train station to our accommodations and arrived at the Acorn Guest House on Iffley Road. It seems to be the nicest B and B we’ve experienced so far; the rooms are light and clean and pleasant. We headed out right away for a bite to eat in town and a guided tour of the University, with our guide, Christine, who is married to a Professor of Literature at St. John’s College. She knew a great deal about Oxford and was able to take us inside many places not usually open to the public. As a Brit, my colleague Lucy says it seems strange to tour Oxford as a tourist. She said it would be like taking visitors to America to ... read more

Bath, Sunday June 11, 2006 St Clair Hotel Today we had our first B & B breakfast, an event of great interest to many of the students. We began with a self-serve buffet offering various cereals and mueslis, including extra topping options of assorted nuts and dried fruit. Also fresh fruit, juice, and yogurt. Then most ordered the “full English breakfast.” Eggs, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, mushrooms and baked beans, with the obligatory accompaniment of dry toast in a rack, and all the coffee or tea you could drink. A good fueling up for the day ahead, to say the least. A coach picked us up just outside our door at 8:45 for a trip to Stonehenge. The drive through the countryside was really beautiful. Extremely hilly and winding, with breathtaking vistas appearing unexpectedly as ... read more

Bob’s birthday today, the same day as Tom Jones, Liam Neeson, and Prince. (Draw your own conclusions.) I took a break from my frantic travel preparations to hike Black Mountain in Dummerston with Ruth. I had never done this hike before. A nice, easy 15-minute walk to the top for a beautiful view. Lovely day, about 70, nice breeze. Little league and T-ball games this evening. We’ve decided on banana splits instead of birthday cake for a change of pace. Practicing with the complete blogging process: take photos, load onto laptop, then to thumb drive, post with text to web site. If you’re reading this, it works! I leave Saturday and hope to post a day or so later from Bath, England! ... read more