OXFORD

As Oxford is only an hour by train I thought it would be worth a look...and it certainly was...home to many greats of course; C S Lewis, Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, William Morris, John Ruskin and of course some of our own spent time there... memorable but not "great" would you say, Bob Hawke and Tony Abbott to name but a few.

Still no resolution to the impass...even Anthony Green has no answer!!!

SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE

Ben and I went to see "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at The Globe Theatre last night...the production was fantastic as was the calibre of the acting,direction and audience...it was like a big party...everyone felt very much a part of it all and thoroughly enjoyed themselves .(It is official that I have now used up my years ration of theatre tickets in 5 weeks)...

And just for good measure earlier in the day...a new exhibition commemorating 40 years since Jimi died...

Ireland

Spent 5 days in Kilkee County Clare on the west coast of Ireland visiting friends Shirley and Robbie and their kids Isobelle and Rory....I had not seen them for 15 years and had never met the kids so it was great to have the time with them.
Getting around by car made things a lot more accessible and easier..so we went up nd down the coast of Clare and admired it's wild and very Irish landscape of  stone walls and cottages, very green fields and dramatic coast of dark and brooding cliffs....the weather was of course cold and a bit damp...although they tell me it was good weather for summer and it certainly didn't stop them all getting out on the beach and swimming (mostly in wet suits) in what I would call winter weather. I never removed my shoes and socks and fleecy jacket!

DUN ANOGHASA, INIS MOR

The Aran Islands was a highlight...so beautiful and wild. We hired a pony and trap to take us up to the circular celtic stone fort Dun Anoghasa ....so spectacular ...the rock there is bloody hard as this thing has stood for 4000 years....no sandstone here. They all speak Gaelic on the island...as did our pony and trap owner/driver...one of the last places in Ireland to do so.

DOOLIN