London 2003/2004

24/25 December | 24 Dec 2003

Thurs. 25 Dec. Thank you, Lord, for Christmas!!! Special gift from Des to Rose – a cute little white soft-centred bear. Rose had previously concerned Des when she would not allow her to unpack for her on arrival in London. This was now discovered to be because Des’s present of Justine special cream was hidden in the suitcase. Special muffins baked by Tammy for breakfast. Calan and Rachel arrived at 12 o’clock and then we opened presents. Very Spoilt by all. Enjoyed a cooked lunch, mainly by Vaughn. Had ham, as the duck was rotten – shame!! Afterwards Vaughn, Tamlyn, Rachel and Murray walked in scotch mist to Primrose Hill. Calan, Des and Rose stayed home – pooped.

Fri. 26 Dec. Went to Calan and Rachel at Finchley Central at 11 o’clock. A rainy day. Thence to Oxford by car, mostly on highways. Managed to find parking after a while, then meandered about fascinating old buildings, including the church of St. Michael at the North Gate, mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Saxon tower is Oxford’s oldest building, from circa.1040 (!). It was later connected to the Bocardo prison, which held the bishops
Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer, who were burnt at the stake by Queen Mary for refusing to convert to Roman Catholicism. The medallions in the window above the altar in the church date from 1290, and the 15th Century pulpit from which John Wesley preached the Michaelmas sermon in 1726, is still in use today.
Had coffee and sandwiches, then drove to Henley-on-Thames. Too dark to see much – but their Christmas lights were very pretty and all colours. Thence to the place where Calan and Rachel live, and had supper. Calan brought us home at 9. Des now sick with stomach pain as well, .But still keeping on keeping on.

Locations Visited: None specified.

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