The Whole Rhythm Section Was the Purple Gang

Today we were booked for Oxford's Prison and Castle.  Everywhere is very socially distanced and you have to book a time slot. 

Because I was feeling so confident about the leg - i wanted to re-do the shops and pathways which I was deprived of on Saturday.   So I set off at pace down the road.  Turns out I was so distracted by the pain that I had all of Oxford in the wrong direction in my head. 

But eventually turning in the opposite direction we found Bodleian Library, the Camera, The Bridge of Sighs,  - the High Street, the Turf Tavern - hints of The Three Broomsticks... could not however find the Coffee Shop which I had spotted from the bus, called "Queen Anne Lane" which was established in 1654..... (you'd think the name would give me a hint)

We went for a coffee in Vault and Vine - part of the old church.  We sat in a lane leading into the Bodleian - and people watched.   A whole wedding party arrived in fits and starts... all walking. Was beautiful. 

We headed in the other direction, and en route to the Prison, we stopped off at Christchurch Meadows.  - The only meadow in the UK where Cows are allowed to graze.  *According to a lady on the boat last night :-). 

The Prison was amazing a real history lesson - I didn't do the 101 step climb to the top of the tower.  I didn't think that the broken leg would cope.  But they gave me a lovely video to watch while everyone else ran up. 

There was supposed to be a haunted bit, but I'll tell you now. It wasn't.  

The most disturbing thing about the place was that it was still in use in 1996.  

A Nap was called for after all the walking... It took me and Si another 30 minutes to walk to the bus stop - another 12000 steps.   I spotted the coffee shop from the bus.... Still confused about where it was.  But it WAS on the bus route. 

In the evening, we were going to "Jericho".   This is an area of Oxford, and also very lovely it was too. 

The Jericho Tavern was our destination and we had a lovely Portuguese taxi driver who was slightly sad that they had lost the previous night,  but as he said, "it's only a game, I can still support England".  Pity more Scots can't take that attitude. 

Once more, we were checked in, sanitize, and the typical wait for Tooli - I love how this gal has turned out.  No rush about her at all.  Has not a care in the world.  Lovely. 

We had a bit of a wait for food - all of these pubs are working Deliveroo and Justeat had have a massive backlog of meals to pump out to both the dining room and carry out.  It's nonstop for them.  I'm glad! 

Food was worth the wait.    Spain were playing Croatia - and we had a Spaniard at the next table.  We all cheered for him.    Next, France and Switzerland.   The mood of the pub swung between both teams.  Every attempt got a cheer, every foul got a boo.  When it went to Penalties every one was cheering every attempt.

Again, I wish Scotland was more like that.  In Scotland - you can only support Scotland, or whoever is playing against England.  

After dinner, Tooli and I swapped to Cocktails.   Oh we did have a lovely time. 

At Closing time - Tooli headed off walking, whilst we got in a taxi.   He kindly slowed down and let us wave to Tooli on route.     

Why is it, no matter how old they get, when you are nearby,  you don't stop worrying about whether they get home safe or not.  (we sleep like babies when they are all away from home :-D