New beginnings

I think yesterday's sunshine and the springy tingle that was in the air was prophetic of new beginnings and changes.

It was an absolutely gorgeous, cloudless day out and I went for a two and a half hour walk around town.

I love seeing how roots can establish themselves anywhere, regardless of what obstacles are in the way... There was one cement plinth that had been completely broken through by tree roots.

I walked into an old cemetery that had beautiful ancient headstones... I'm talking 1700s on the ones that were still legible. It looked like what I imagine Godric's Hollow would be. The grassy ground was uneven and I could just imagine how many people had been in that cemetery over the years, paying their respects to their loved ones. Some of the graves had flowers or little shrubs planted  around them. The sun was streaming through the trees and framing the headstones so beautifully, it was hard not to take pictures.





I spent some time walking around, reading names, inscriptions and imagining stumbling across the grave of Ignotus Peverell. I'm hoping that only the other dorks out there will understand that reference. ;)

After the cemetery, I did my usual walk into town and then tried to get myself lost (my favourite thing to do in cities). It always allows me to discover new places. My stroll took me into a place called Christ Church Meadow, one of the big college campuses. It was such a beautiful day that I wasn't the only person out and about.

There were people practicing Lacrosse, couples walking hand-in-hand, Uni kids going for runs together and owners walking their pretty puppies.




I followed the path to the water and came across flocks of birds. Rafts of ducks. Gaggles of Geese. Bevies of swans. They were all chilling on the water and congregating on shore, posing for pictures.

I kept walking along the water and started to see people running in uniforms. Team uniforms. And unitards. I do love men in unitards. I started suspecting that something was going on further upstream. Then I heard a voice on a loudspeaker announcing the next men's race. I suddenly felt a familiar excited flutter in my stomach as I walked over a bridge and came across a regatta!  I managed to find a wall to lean on and went unnoticed amongst all the different Oxford rowing teams, cheering on their crews.

Having satisfied my nostalgia, I walked back to Warnborough road the long way, through different college campuses, past the zoology department of Oxford. I got home just in time for my 5pm skype meeting with my research supervisor to touch base on GIFTs research. After that, I read the handbook sent to me by the coordinator for my internship and I started getting REALLY excited about my next adventure!

New Buds

The next few months will be full of new beginnings, new experiences, new people and new adventures! I have no idea what to expect and am so incredibly nervous and excited about this opportunity.

I expect visitors in New Brunswick and in Cuba!
http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/

WOOHOOOOOO