EUROPE & DC '23 • Day 27: Oxford, UK
- Bob Aron
- Sep 25, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 11, 2023
THE BIG MOVE
DRIVING A VAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD
So this trip all started with the idea that we would come to London to help Sarah move her stuff to Oxford to start her masters studies. We constantly are asked what she is studying and have a tough time, as the program has a really long name. These days I simply say; policy evaluation. But her actual study is:
• Masters of Science in Evidence Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation •
After 3 weeks of traveling the big day has arrived.
Sorry, not too many photos today as we spent the morning just packing up the van for the drive to Oxford. After 3 years in London, she's collected a lot of stuff, especially since she has been finding older furniture and doing some refinishing. Yeah! Woodworking! She's really lucky to have had a large room and can leave a bit of the furniture behind for the year while she's away. She also has been able to store a small number of boxes with friends. Still, the pile of stuff looks modestly large considering the size of her college housing is a little unclear. Fingers crossed.
While Sarah finished up the last little packing and some errands, Yvette and I were off to pick up the van. Luckily only a small van was needed, since I'd have to drive it through London back to Sarah's flat. But, no problem. I've now driven in England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland so the other side of the road is no biggie. Kind of fun actually. Cargo van did mean less visibility though, so a little extra concentration was in order in the city. It worked out perfectly for us though; 3 seats and room for our luggage as well, meant a simple 90 minute drive to Oxford.
It's been 30 years since we've been to Oxford, I think it was actually my first trip to Europe, which included Switzerland and was supposed to include Paris. But, go figure, there was a big trucker strike in France at that time, and the rail lines were blocked, so we just jumped straight the England. I had a favorite green Oxford sweatshirt from that trip the I lost years ago. Maybe I can get another one this time!
Sarah was able to secure university housing, so it was straight to St. Anthony's college. I thought maybe my days of moving a ton of stuff to a 3rd story dorm room were over, but I was wrong. The good news, the room was not as small as feared, so all her stuff would fit comfortably. And what a great view from her window!
Checked in to hote (conveniently located 2 minutes from the train station we'll use to the airport early Friday morning). Met Sarah for dinner, and then enjoyed a nice evening playing our favorite: Terraforming Mars, at a local board game cafe.
Mission Accomplished! Now a couple days to explore Oxford again and just hang out with Sarah before the work begins.
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