My visit to Oxford was very brief; we arrived at the train station from Wales and quickly caught a bus through town and up the hill to where Jess lives. We did get a front seat on top of the double-decker bus which was fun! But this was about all of Oxford that I saw:
It was a really pretty small city, loaded with big old marble stone buildings and lots of parks and green spaces. It was evening by the time we got there so all we had energy to do was run to the …
Today I left Wales. The circumstances worked out well; I got a ride with Jess to Oxford, where she works, and am staying with her for the night before meeting my friend in London in the morning. That meant I got the proper send off, complete with flowers tossed at the car as we headed down the drive!
I teared up because I was so grateful that I was able to spend the last 3 weeks there, and was so thankful and attached to the family. I’m sure I will return someday!
To close out this …
Well, I’ve been back in Wales for two and a half weeks, and am now feeling the closeness of leaving. It has been a blessing to find a home here. The pace of life, appreciation for healthy land and fresh food, and the landscape all remind me of Vermont, the State that I love. Replace the Green Mountains with a breathtaking coast line, and replace some of the cows with sheep, and here you are. It has truly been a home away from home, and a lesson for me, to feel that.
Kayaking off …
Well, I haven’t taken many pictures this week, but here are a few of the grounds, and an idea of what my days have been like!
Tuesday: Arrived from Ireland in afternoon. Cleaned (de-spidered) barn room where I will be staying. Had tea and sweet bread. Played badminton with Renie (the matriarch), Jess (one of the daughters), and Mario (a BnB-er from outside Montreal). Washed up. Went with family to have dinner at Laura’s (another daughter) mexican food cart. Helped clean up food cart. Came home. Ice cream and wine. Sleep.
Wednesday: Had a leisurely breakfast …
I asked a few local people that I met where else I should go for a day trip, and they told me Killarney. So away I went! I wasn’t sure what to expect because I was told to go to the National Park, and to watch my wallet, two things that don’t often intersect. The town itself is really cute; brightly colored buildings, little side streets, jam-packed with old pubs, ice cream booths, and little shops. But pretty touristy, hence the ‘watch your pockets,’ although I doubt it’s really a problem.
I headed out to the …