Back at the Boathouse

We've decided to make a more regular event of an evening punt on the tranquil Oxford rivers.  This time we did it properly, casting off with a jug of Pimms and a picnic to enjoy on the banks of the River Cherwell.  Our expert punter navigated a peaceful yet entertaining ride down the river and back.

Note our feathered friend

Note background punter

Oxford Museum of Natural History

The kids and I needed an outing today, so we stopped into the natural history museum.  The building itself was beautiful to look at, in all its Victorian, industrial splendor.  The specimens were also fascinating.  The kids enjoyed the dinosaur skeletons, the "please touch" areas, and the dodo.  Both recalled stories where they had heard of the dodo!

Happy Independence Day!

Our 4th of July celebration was small-scale this year.  What with settling into a new space, D. going to work, and... well... no local celebrations of American independence, we had to have some quiet fun!

One local said to us: "Ah, you are American... this is your day of independence, then.  Ah.  [pause]  Well, it was bound to happen one way or another."  Ha!

No Stars and Stripes around, so we made our own

American dinner: burgers, beer and corn on the cob

The beer is an American Red Ale (brewed in Scotland...)

Isis Meadow on the Thames

Tintern Abbey

As we drove through Wales on our way back to Oxford, we stopped at Tintern Abbey.  It's another Cistercian abbey, founded in the 12th century, fell to ruin after Henry VIII dissolution of monasteries... similar to Jerpoint Abbey in my last post.  Tintern Abbey is much bigger in scale, though, so the ruins are all the more impressive.  See how tiny we look in the second picture!

It's situated on the River Wye, and the steep, forested slope to the river valley provides a very scenic backdrop.  Wandering though the sunlit cathedral and monks' quarters was very peaceful and serene.  The light-filled space would have looked much different, though, with a roof and intact walls!

Ferry Back to Wales

Monday morning was our ferry trip back to the UK.  These ferries were both huge, probably the biggest boat we'd been on.  The trip to Belfast was very crowded onboard, but this trip from Rosslare (Ireland) to Fishguard (Wales) was less crowded and more enjoyable.

Waiting to load up

Hurling

We had read that the ancient Irish sport called "hurling" was very important to locals, and that fierce rivalries exist in some places.  Indeed, we saw many youngsters carrying their hurling sticks with them everywhere... in the streets, into restaurants, even at the Rock of Cashel.

As we drove through County Wexford and saw flag after flag bearing purple and gold, we knew something was up.  Turns out that the Wexford team, who hadn't done well in many years, was playing in the championship final game that night against Galway.  Every pub, nearly every house, even our hotel was decked out in the purple and gold.  It was reminiscent of the excitement surrounding the Buffalo Bills' Super Bowl game in 1991 (and '92, '93 and '94).

Sadly, the Wexford team didn't win.  We saw a lot of sad people leaving the hotel bar.  Also reminiscent of the Bills' loss in '91 (and '92, '93 and '94)!

Team flag that we saw flying everywhere

Family ties in Askamore, Ireland

Through D.'s maternal side, our family has Irish heritage!  So we drove to the tiny community of Askamore, County Wexford, from where the kids' maternal great-grandmother's family emigrated.  Her maiden name was Kinsella, and we did indeed find many headstones bearing that name.  It was exciting to feel connected to the people of this tiny hamlet.  The church and cemetery have lovely views out over the Irish countryside.  The hills are now dotted with wind turbines - probably a change that took place fairly recently!

The oldest Kinsella tombstone we spotted