Our 2014 UK Adventure Begins - Day 1 - Aug 13th

The plane flight was a bit bumpy for the first hour or so.  Found out later it was due to the remnants of Hurricane Bertha along the NY coast.  We’d not even CONSIDERED that until the  UK weather forecasters talked about flooding and residual rains from Bertha hitting the UK!

We arrived at London Heathrow airport, breezed thru customs and boarded The Airline 11am bus for the hour and 90 minute trip to Oxford.  (pic on the right is us on the bus)  It was great seeing all the familiar countryside along the way.  Our past experiences had us alighting at St Aldates which puts us a scant block from our destination (vs the bus station which is 6 blocks away.)

The Master at Campion Hall (part of the University of Oxford) was not available so the Secretary gave us our keys and we used the lift (which only goes to the 2nd floor), then Jim carried our heavy luggage up the last flight to our penthouse Apt B.  We declined the dinner invite feeling our jetlag would leave us unsociable. 

Since we’d only had a breakfast snack on the plane and no lunch we headed out to the Swan & Castle  for a 2pm brunch.  Afterwards we strolled the Oxford downtown area to see what shops had changed.  Most importantly, we purchased UK sim cards for our iPhones.  We now have local UK phone numbers with texting (so can call and text locally and to each other) along with unlimited data (internet).  We are back in technology heaven.  The past 2 trips we’d not used our phones at all—felt like the dark ages.

This time I counted the stairs from the back street level door up to our 3rd level (equivalent to US 4th floor) .  Correct, the elevator is only for luggage/handicapped and only goes 2 floors, so we always take the stairs.  63 of them to be exact - the number easily remembered as Robin Williams’ age at his death.

Back to the flat to unpack groceries and our luggage. then out again for dinner. 

Of course we headed over to The White Horse pub for fish and chips.  Was disappointed that they served regular peas with it instead of mushy peas, but the food was good as were the hand-pumped cask ales. 

If you are familiar with the British show - Inspector Morse (set in Oxford) - We were able to sit in his  regular table (at the back of the pub and up 3 steps).  pic on the left  - was taken by our wait person.

Had planned for an early night but didn’t happen.  On our walk back, we passed The Bear Inn/Pub that had live music.  The only table in the small main room of the bar was empty so we sat and drank a pint and thoroughly enjoyed the music.  Nick Breakspear played acoustic guitar and sang many song we knew and love.  A free concert to welcome us to the UK!

Then finally back to the flat and fell into bed.