​16th february 2013

My visit to meet Lizzy in Oxfordshire​

Been a brave girl, On Wednesday I set off for Oxfordshire. I was lucky the bus was about to pull out but he saw me dragging my bag and waited for me. Took the bus to Wembley Park to catch the underground train. Was going to get the metropolitan train but it was jammed packed so hopped on the Jubilee to Baker st. I wanted to get the Bakerloo line to Paddington but they had a long diversion to the platform I needed so took the Ham & City line instead. Well I just about managed to squeeze myself on to the train, felt like I was in a tin of sardines. Two stops later I arrived at Paddington, bit of a nightmare as there was poor signage telling me where to go. Had to ask a couple of customer service personnel to guide me, they were all very helpful. Bought my ticket and waited for my train to be called. Again I had spoken to a couple more staff and they all treated me with respect. I managed to find a seat which was lucky because the seat reservation service was faulty and no seats could be reserved. Then I spent a pleasant hour forty minute train journey across the British countryside, It was very misty and the ground and trees were a frosty white. It all looked very pretty, then I saw to young deer scampering across a field so cute. Well I arrived at Charlbury just before 11 am. I had received a text from Lizzy that she would be delayed in meeting me as the bus she intended to catch had had a wee accident. Driver had managed to swipe the side of a parked taxi, so she would be another 30 minutes. But she had arranged for her friend Pippa to come meet me. I only had a ten minute wait before Pippa arrived and then we made are way to a quaint Tea house for a hot drink and a bite to eat. We had not been there long and Lizzy turned up. Well me had a good chat took some photos and then went to wait for the bus to take us to Chipping Norton. Pippa had some business to do there and came with us. A 20 minute bus ride through the villages and narrow country lanes later we arrived in the small town of Chipping Norton. We said bye to Pippa and headed to The King's Arms pub where I would be staying for the night. I checked in and was taken to a cozy room where I dropped my bag off and returned to the bar. We spent an hour or so chatting over drinks and her Friend Dee joined us and bought us coffee. Then Lizzy showed me around Chipping before going to her place she likes to call the vestry. Oh my she has a cute little appartment with lots of stuff she has collected over the years spread out around the room and on the walls. Lots of interesting and unique ornaments, dolls, birds and animals & religious images and crosses. all very delightful and all the cushions and drapes were made by Lizzy. We then chilled out listening to some music, Lizzy showed me some of her lovely laser printed photos. seeing them posted on facebook does not do them justice as they are lovely pieces of art and they look amazing on photographic paper. Then we walked back to town in the freezing cold and I took Lizzy for a meal in an Indian restaurant. We both had Chicken madras and rice washed down with a bottle of red wine. The curry was delicious, the sauce was very spicy and we needed water to cool us down. The staff were ever so nice to us and we had a lovely meal. We then went back to my room for a coffee and listen to some classical music on the radio until about 9 pm. Lizzy then went home and I got ready for bed and was soon drifting in to the land of dreams. 3 hours later I was wide awake and could not get back to sleep, think it was because it was so quiet :-). In the morning I shaved washed and showered and put my makeup on and went down for breakfast. I had a full English breakfast which was very nice. At 10 am Lizzy came to meet me, poor thing I don't think she was truly awake as she is more a night person. So I suggested I buy her  a coffee, there was a coffee shop close by, The staff were lovely and through out the two days I felt welcomed and was pleasantly surprised that i did not receive any real negative responses while there or whilst I was traveling. This trip has been a good confidence building exercise for me. Well after coffee Lizzy took me on a walk around the outskirts of town across snow and ice covered fields and woodland. It was fun even when we did get a bit stuck and are boots and shoes started to sink in a few boggy areas. We managed to negotiate are way out of the bog land and after negotiated climbing over a fence in my long dress we found solid ground. Then we walked to get a view of the tweed mill, what an impressive building it is. We had taken a few photos on our walk but the cold icy wind was taking it's toll so we headed back in to town. I was hoping to visit the small museum but it was not open until two, so we headed back to the pub for a drink and a meal. A nice cozy fire was awaiting us and we found a table quite close to it. A welcome respite from the bitter cold outside, we both ordered soup served with hot bread, followed by a prawn salad. A treated myself to a point of the local real ale which was rather delicious, not often I will drink beer but it made a pleasant change. Then it was time to leave I collected my things and then went to catch the bus which was thankfully waiting. Lizzy came with me as I was not to sure how to get to the station at Charlbury as it is a bit of a trek from where the bus drops us. Poor Lizzy was in need of the restroom but when we arrived at the station the waiting room and toilets were locked. I had about a 40 minute wait for my train and it stated to snow lightly. Well eventually the train arrived and I hugged Lizzy goodbye, I had a really lovely time and hope I may get a chance to visit again in the summer. My journey home was uneventful and quick and was home by 5.30 pm. I was shattered and was not long before I was changed and washed and ready for bed. I slept well and woke up about 3 am. So made quick work of clearing a mountain of dishes a cups and pans that my dear family had left me. Somethings never change Lol.