Up at 8 to glorious sunshine. Coffee, shower, ***** and shave. The Noblet said he needed a break from revision. Could we have a day out?
Roof down on the car, ne'er a cloud in the sky.
Headed south through Warwickshire where the countryside was a patchwork of fresh green and vibrant gold. Into Oxfordshire where the views were even more bite-the-back-of-your-hand picturesque.
Found the cemetery where JRR Tolkien's buried. Very touching. Next to his wife's name on the headstone it says "Luthien" and by his it says "Beren" Awwww. Some geek had placed an elvish text (on lamb-skin parchment) by the grave. Not sure about that
On into the centre of Oxford; parked at St Giles and sauntered around a few colleges and the Bodleian Library, then a cooling hour rowing on the Thames.
Went to the Eagle & Child Pub ("The Bird & Baby") and sat in the Rabbit Room where Tolkien & CS Lewis (the self-styled "Inklings") would boozily debate the merits of Middle-Earth vs Narnia. On the wall there was a charming note written in 1949 in rather wobbly handwriting saying "We the undersigned, having enjoyed the wares of the landlord, drink to his health" and signed by JRRT, Lewis & Tolkien Jr.
There we enjoyed a pint of ale and a plate of steak & taters. Nom nom nom.
Drove back along country lanes and accompanied the bird-song with the squeal of over-steer
A few cold cheeky beers in the garden with a good book rounded the day off nicely.
Now that, pilgrims, was a fUckin' good day