Edamame

Hurray for Half Term! Despite E having one more exam to go, the fact that we have a week off means that there has been time for a few fun moments, for which we are very grateful. Thursday afternoon saw us driving to Oxford to give L a good luck present (her exams start, just as E's finish!). 

We sat in the sunshine here, waiting for L to finish her lecture: 

Then picked up some bubble tea from our favourite tea place and walked to the park (sadly made famous by events later in the week). We passed the Natural History museum:

 .... and then sat on the grass, half way between a cricket match and people playing Ultimate Frisbee. The frisbee was really serious and injuries were witnessed! L sometimes plays a gentler version in college with some of her more mathematical friends, called ....... Penultimate Frisbee!

 Presents were opened. Meet Aloysius, named after Sebastian's teddy in Brideshead Revisited:

 Then we started to feel a little peckish, so walked through the park with a certain destination in mind:

 We did, however, get a little side tracked  here:

 I have rather a soft spot for cemeteries. As a child my walk to school used to take me through the local cemetery and I loved it. It was always so peaceful and I really enjoyed reading the names and dates on the headstones. I remember my favourite stone commemorated a lady called Rose Ann Fell! Holywell cemetery was another little gem. Not very big but with some lovely gravestones and wild flowers.

 Finally, our hunger pangs urged us on and we arrived here:

This is such a sweet, family run restaurant on Holywell Street. It is really popular and the queue snaked out of the door (hence the lack of photo from the outside). Luckily the service is amazing and the turnover very quick, so we didn't have to wait long. Thursday night was sushi night and we had a selection of veggie sushi, along with hot sake! I became rather overexcited when the waitress brought round a bowl containing a selection of the cutest little pottery cups for the sake; we chose one each (E had the tiniest taste but wasn't really keen anyway). The food was absolutely delicious; I'd love to go again to experience their lunchtime noodles.

 Oops, I forgot to rotate this one!

 It was such a lovely afternoon/evening and E and I were sorry to have to leave. Oh, I forgot to show you E's present from L:

A good luck cuddly woodlouse! Who could fail to be cheered?

 Other happies this week:

The bumble bees are back in residence in our sparrow box (a row of 3 terraced boxes - the bees occupy the box on the right) - I don't know which are the noisiest neighbours with all the tweeting and buzzing!

A river side barbecue. Note to self: strim the grass on the edge of the bank!

 Phyllis and Harriet dozing on R's lap:

 Cheering tulips:

 The first cut roses from the garden this year:

  Doing the first tricksy couple of rows for my coastal ripple in preparation for Dorset. Thankfully, my counting went OK this time!

 A bike ride with E and a scratch picnic by the canal:

 I did rather like this boat, Sea Witch - great name.

So, as you see, a few good bits this week. E is now back at the books and I'm just off to make some Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi for dinner. Enjoy the rest of half term; I'm really looking forward to seeing what you've all been up to.
Toodle Pip for now. x