Vacation December 2002

December 2002 Trip to Oxford, England


	In December 2002 we flew to England for a Christmas season vacation. Below you will find an itinerary with comments. I want to start here with general comments about traveling to England, Oxford, and Headington. Leslie first went to England in 1988 as part of a program at Pasadena Community College. She met Sybil and her daughter Jakki. Later on Jakki came to the U.S. and met Leslie's son Greg. Greg and Jakki got married, had a kid, and in 1996 moved to Headington, the largest suburb of Oxford. My first trip there was in 1997 and then I went again in 1999. Each time we were there two weeks, splitting our time between Oxfordshire and Yorkshire. I have a friend I went to school with, and have known since 1952, who lives in Burley near Ilkley near Leeds. This time we spent the entire two weeks in Oxfordshire; my birthday and Christmas. We stayed with Sybil and hungout at Greg and Jakki's. Jakki is a great cook (must have learned it from her mother) and they have beautifully remodeled the interior of their home in "IKEA" style.


	Saturday December 14	I stored my Bel Air at Phil's and he gave me a ride back to the apartment. The shuttle van was here when I got back. Getting to our seats on the plane went smoothly, but involved a lot of waiting.
	Sunday December 15	Arrive late in the day. After getting off the bus in Headington, we picked up some 'southern fried' chicken to share with Sybil.
	Monday December 16	Jakki picked us up and we went to her house for a while.
	Tuesday December 17	Greg's first day off. He picks us up and we pick up the kids. This gives us an opportunity to see where they go to school.
	Wednesday December 18	Went to High Wycombe to see Pete Stevens at Wal Basses. He has a part time assistant, who made tea for us when I got there. We went to lunch at a private snooker club. Then went back to his shop. A client came in and I watched him service the instrument. Later Pete and I sipped some of the whiskey I brought. We chatted about our mutual friend and a little about the basses - the 'furniture part' and the electronics. They make about one a week and each one is custom 'made to order'. He gave me about 4 hours of his time and I was glad for that. Wal Basses
	Thursday December 19	We had planned a trip to London. We canceled it because the roads were icy and there was a pile-up on the A40. Instead we went to Oxford and to the Nosebag for lunch and then toured the Ashmolean Museum.
	Friday December 20	Leslie walked over to Greg and Jakki's and on the way stopped at Saint Andrew's and purchased the tickets for Sunday night Carol Service.
	Saturday December 21	I stayed in bed. Leslie watch the kids while Jakki went shopping.
	Sunday December 22	6:30 PM - Christmas Carol Service. Raising funds to maintain the beautiful old church building. St Andrew’s Church is the oldest surviving building in Headington. Its chancel arch dates from the mid-twelfth century, but there was probably an earlier church here before the Norman Conquest.
	Monday December 23	My birthday. I didn't expect all the fuss. They made it very special. For the afternoon and evening we went to Wallingford, a small town nearby where Greg and Jakki had camped during the summer. More about Wallingford.
	Tuesday December 24	Spent most of the evening at Greg and Jakki's. At 11 PM we walked to St. Andrews in Old Headington for midnight mass.
	Wednesday December 25	Christmas Day. Feasting and then opening presence at Sybil's.
	Thursday December 26	The day after Christmas is Boxing Day. Most businesses are closed. We went to the Chiltern Sculpture Trail. It had rained the night before and a few days before. The paved path was the long way around. Based on the time and our energy level we decided to take the short-cut, which was the unpaved (muddy) path. It was great fun tromping through the forest. The last sculpture we came to was a six foot high mound of dirt. Steep slope on one side and gentle on the other. What we didn't realize was that this mound was a favorite of two greyhounds. They were harmless, but there size and speed frightened the girls. Sculpture Trail
	Friday December 27	Our last chance to go to Oxford City Center. We had soup and a half pint at the Eagle and Child pub. Returned to the Covered Market to get gifts to take back home.
	Saturday December 28	We left Headington in too much of a hurry; I forgot my jacket. The new one I just got for Christmas. Trying to get to our seats on the plane gave us a reminder of what torture travel can be.