Day 2 - Oxford-Libraries Galore(13 Dec 2022)

13 December 2022, Oxford

It's soooo dark!! We really had to use all our will power to crawl out of our comfy beds!! Lennie and Sharon took some time off work to hang out with us. Finley, decided to join us too…a cheeky wee day off school!! We decided to travel to Oxford today, since the Shaws have not explored it themselves yet. 

 

Our hour-long journey,  in FREEZING conditions, took us through a magic wonderland. It was -2 degrees Celsius, for goodness sakes!!! Sharon was our travel-guide and led us straight into a downtown-underground parking bay. Thank you!!! A short walk further, took us into our first Christmas market, albeit an English one. With out German travelling guest, and the prospect of experiencing proper German Christmas markets around Christmas, we sort of walked very fast through it… 

 

We prebook our "Free Walking" tour with the Footprints Company. Our guide, Steph, a post grad law student, engaged our attention and creating mind-pictures of mid-evil times with her great talent of story-telling. 

She walked us through the rivalry between the two oldest colleges (amongst the 39), Ballliol and Trinity. Balliol College was established in 1255. The greatest competition between these two took place in the from of a race……not rowing, like we all expected….but a tortoise race!!!! Unfortunately, Balliol's prised animal disappeared unexplainable in 2004. Faull play expected from Trinity off course!! Revenge then followed in the shape of midnight 'un-gardening' of their pristine lawns, also to be followed with sheep 1,2 and 4 invasion (they searched for days…sheep 3 never to be found!!)

Furthermore we were taken to The Weston Library. (At least it was a little bit warmer inside…for a moment.) We were entertained with the thoughts about the robots, who can bring you any book you might want out of the 13 000 000 (!!!!) books, which make up the Bodleian Libraries( the 28 connected over and undergrounded book-maize of libraries), within an hour. The Bodleian library was build in the 15th century and opened it's doors to scholars in 1602. 

 

Next stop was the courtyard of the Divinity Hall and The Round Theatre (this is where graduation for all Oxford students happens a few times per year)

 

In the Divinity School was the venue where early century students had to present their dissertations - ready to be questioned by their tutors. Sometimes this could lasts up to 3 days!! in the more modern days, this Hall  gained more fame as a popular movie set. A few scenes out of the Harry Potter films were shoot here.

By this stage we started jumping around and swinging our arms, because the bitter wind plus the dropping temperature were a little bit distracting…!!

 

We were led to the most photographed spot in Oxford - the Bridge of Sighs. Cambridge had an 'over-bridge', to connect two parts of the college over the river…. Even though Oxford, does not have a river, they had to keep up with their counterparts. Just on the other side of the little bridge, an ally leads to the bespoken Turf Tavern - a pub, just outside the ancient city-wall, famous as a drinking joint for the likes of Bill Clinton, Tony Blaire and others….

 

Last but not least, Steph led us to the Radcliffe Camera, a building designed  by James Gibbs in 1737, to host the Radcliffe Science Library. This round building was especially designed to let in natural light, because scientist were not allowed to study by candle light ( in case they might cause an accidental fire) 

Close by, we were shown the special 'Narnia door', which inspired C.S Lewis's Aslan (main character in the Narnia Chronicles). When we turned around, the famous 'Narnia lamppost' was behind us!!! 

 

Albeit the cold, we enjoyed our Oxford experience so much. A huge shout-out to our guide, Steph. You made history became real!!

 

Back in Swindon with family Shaw, we continued the shenanigans around the dinner table, trumped by the Argentina siege over Croatia in the FIFA Football World cup.

 

So thankful to be inside…in a heated house, with the BIG FREEZE of 2022 happening outside.

Day 1 Welcome England - Traveling with Teens (11-12 Des 2022)

12 December 2022 Swindon 

 What a wonderful wonderful privilege to be travelling again with our beautiful family!! Or at least to start our European adventure with 3 out of 4 of our brood! (but more about that later..)

 After months and months of working hard at our day-jobs, copious numbers of hours researching and planning, vision casting, declarations and ….and heaps and heaps of godly unmerited favour…..we stepped onto our BA flight, departing Cape Town, in a humungous thunder shower!! When we left our hometown of Riebeek Kasteel, the thermometer touched-touched on 30 degrees Centigrade. A portfolio of instructions, was left on the kitchen table to brief the team of house-sitters, who offered to move in whilst we are away. Our bags were jam packed by the best packer in the world…me…and we were on our way. 

 Without any hassle we were quickly checked in. We even had time to sit down for dinner before we had to board our plane. Those of you who have travelled with children, will understand the relief of a relaxed, un-rushed start to journey like this…for sure, Arno and I were thankful, because we have experience the other side on numerous occasions in the past. But, THIS TIME…we are travelling with teenagers, for the first time…and we are loveing it!!!!. No one falling off trolleys, nappies to be changed or tired crying!! Sjo…we have arrived in the promised land!!! The joy is real, people!!! 

 Thomas was flying on a one-way ticket to England, so we had to check him in separately.  Arno could not pre-book his seat, because he is still under-age (younger than 18) BUT, we got the best support of the BA ground personnel. They went out of their way to help us to all sit together. Well done!! 

Nina and Philippa was so excited about our flight...and were not disappointed. A lovely new aircraft, with state of the art inflight entertainment, excellent crew and on-board service. On arrival, we picked-up our luggage, excited terminal 3, straight on to a rental-car shuttle bus, which swooped us to the Alamo port.(We did layered up before leaving the airport buildings, because the African heat was now replaced with a frosty situation!! We later heard that, because of the extreme weather conditions, may flights were delayed or suspended and the trains were also cancelled!!) Arno upgraded our car to a Ford Galaxy, because our five plus 1 bag…was maybe a bit too big for our initial choice of a Volkswagen 7 seater. Again we got the best early morning service and assistance from Andrew. He was still smiling and waving as Arno was ‘hopping’ us away, as he was getting the hang of the brake-acceleration combination!!

 We made our way over to Reading, hoping that we could pop into an activity gear shop called , Decathlon, quickly. But alas, after negotiating the now nine o’clock traffic, it took us a while longer than expected. The plan was to pick up a few pairs of gloves, ski-socks and most importantly, water prove shoes for Nina and Thomas. Success!! Next up, car-pick-nick. The bag of ‘Spens-en-Pootjies’ beskuit was fished out of a carry-on bag ,together with McD’s hot chocolates and coffees it went down a treat. Onwards to Swindon!!

 We’ve met Sharon and Lennie in 2006. From Kilmarnock, Scotland, they have moved down to England in 2016. We were so excited to see them again. Their son, Findlay, attends a little Christian school and now they have found a new South African community of friends! So much so, that Sharon’s favourite shop is now the South African shop around the corner!!! With long hugs, Lennie welcomed us into their cosy three story house. Before long, Robert and Doreen, his parents(whom we also know) popped in with arms filled with fruit loaves, soup and treats!! A proper British welcome.

 Just before nightfall, at 4:30pm( yes that’s when the northern hemisphere is starting to turn the streetlamps on) we braved the minus 2, icy footpaths, and took Chester (the Shaw’s four-legged friend) to the park. Sharon and Findlay were still on their way home after school. Schools start at 8:30am and finish up at 3:30 pm. A long day, leaving home in the dark and returning home in the dark, at this time of the year. But the dancing bright Christmas lights and decorations everywhere, give a streets and house a very enchanting feel. Cold and dark outside, warm and light and cosy and happy inside. So special. 

 With all the cancelled trains, we were waiting for news from our precious Alana through-out the day. At last she confirmed that she will be arriving at the Swindon station at 5pm. Our excitement to be re-united with her, after 10 months, knew no bounds. Arno and Lennie went to pick her and Linea (her German travelling 'sister') up. What a surreal moment, when she stepped over the threshold…. Familiarity kicked in straight away, but also still… the weirdness of actually being able to hold her in my arms and hugging her…it was just wonderful!! 

 With the whole family Shaw at home, and the Therons re-united, cooking started while we caught up. We laughed until our tummies hurt, sharing memories and connecting our stories from way back till the present. What a first day!! All glory to God for keeping our Alana safe and blessing us with a smooth journey from South Africa to England.