More Neighbourhood Exploration

On Saturday morning, I awoke bright and early (OK, it was like 10 am) to be greeted by a beautiful day. The sun was shining and I headed outside wearing only a sweatshirt, hat and gloves. Instead of walking south towards City Centre, I walked north along the canal, parallel to the railway tracks. There were several sections completely void of any houseboats, including the first set of locks I had found on the canal thus far.

It had frozen the night before so the path was pretty much frozen mud with some frozen puddles scattered along the way. No matter how quietly one tried to walk, the sounds of crunching ice was in the air.


The canal was freely flowing (I even saw a few kayakers push off and start paddling down the river) but this little separate pond area shown in the picture below was completely frozen over. I whacked at it with a stick a fwe times but wasn't brave enough to run home and grab my ice skates (I also don't actually have any ice skates).

At one point, there was a sign that indicated the rest of the west side path was closed, so I crossed the bridge and headed down a bridle path. After about five minutes of walking, I stumbled across two pastures and the largest horse I have ever seen in my life. I know that the picture does not do this massive thing justice but just take my word that it was large from far away so I shudder to think what its size was close up. I didn't stay to find out.


I found myself in the Wolvercote area and wandered around the little neighborhood, past beautiful little houses, a pub called the Plough, St. Peter's Church (shown below) and a little school. Following the bus stops of route 6 (my usual route), I eventually found myself back on Woodstock Road and walked the rest of the way home.


Back in my room, I was greeted to an interesting view from the window. Keble College's training ground is right outside my window and my sister and I sat and watched a few minutes of a football match- without having to leave the warm, cozy house.


Monday morning, although bright and clear again, startled me with a surprise. Apparently it had snowed the night before and although it didn't stick, the ground was covered in a light brushing of snow.



I spent this morning wandering through Jericho, which is another way towards City Centre. I stopped at several little book shops and thrift stores and, of course, had to stop to take a picture of the crucifix outside of St. Margaret's Church, which I'm sure can be a little frightening on a late night.

I love exploring my beautiful little neighborhood!!!