White Horse Hill

Last Saturday we went for a hike on a warm - but incredibly windy - day up White Horse Hill. In the side of the hill is a chalked form of a horse over 374 feet in length. There used to be a castle atop one of these hills. It was a fun hike up these rolling green hills with sheep grazing and horseback riders surrounded by farmland.

Our Neighborhood

Some of you (my parents really) have asked to see pictures of our walk to school. Austin is attending Elms Road Nursery school which is a 3/4 mile walk from our house. I make this trip twice a day, five days a week totaling 3 miles of walking. It's great when it's not raining and I get in a workout!
Here is the first picture, heading down our street, then through the hedges on the footpath.



Then around the a few corners through the neighborhood. Most of these homes have beautiful flowers year-round. Daffodils and crocus, then tulips and hyacinths. Now lilacs, phlox, daisies, forget-me-nots, roses, magnolias.....just to name a few. My favorite is a house with wisteria overhanging one end. The beautiful purple flowers that look like grape clusters. So pretty!


Around the next corner and past our bus stop we take into the city. I had to take a picture of this cottage. We walk by it each day. You don't see many of these in the city!


Down the busy street, past another bus stop and the Botley shops. Then Elms road on which the school is located.


Here is Austin in front of the school. Of course the day I bring the camera they are busy repairing the shingles or something! Austin loves his new school hat too which he's required to wear on sunny days while at school.

Springtime

The last 2 weeks have been spectacular here in England with temperatures in the 70s, plenty of sunshine and little or no rain. We've been enjoying time outside, going for walks and the flowers blooming everywhere. I've posted a few pictures from the local areas we've visited.
These were taken at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Some flowers around the area.



Yesterday, for Mother's day, we went to the park and then for a walk in Stokewood forest where the forest floor is covered with bluebells.

THE LAST 8 MONTHS IN A NUTSHELL

On September 4th, 2007 we arrived at our new assignment. Oxford, England.
Devin's new job - to be a full-time student earning his PhD in jet turbine engine turbine blades..........?? You may want to ask him.
Within the first 2 weeks we found a house, purchased a car, toured the city, experienced punting and ate at the Eagle and Child where the inklings met (C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien writers group).
What a beautiful city with warm fall weather! We were excited for our new adventures!

In October we took a day trip to Bath, England and drove by Stonehenge.









In December we took a quick trip to Stratford on Avon to Shakespeare's home and then to Warwick Castle.

In January we had the opportunity to tour the home of C.S. Lewis in Oxford.


In March we went to Milton Keynes where the city is somewhat "Americanized" with wider streets and 4-way intersections. They even have a TGI Fridays! We toured Bletchley park which was the former HQ for the U.K.'s version of the N.S.A.


In April we spent a day in London touring the city. We took a ride on The London Eye and a boat tour down the Thames, followed by a tour of the Tower of London.