Trip to Oxford

Creatrix and I went to Oxford on Friday - she had a Gaudy, and I went along to keep her company and meet up with some Taruithorn people.

After checking into the Randolph* (which had what must have been the last hotel room in Oxford), I wandered along to the Turf, and almost immediately met footnotetoplato. It wasn't long before others turned up - parrot_knight, rustica, narahttbbs, dr_biscuit, exactlyhalf, colinbj, freya_9 (who it was nice to meet for the first time), shanith and half of arda_unmarred. Tales of Taruithorn past were trotted out, and future banquets, Oxonmoots &c planned. I really enjoyed the evening - thanks for coming, everyone.

I got back to the hotel just before Creatrix. We had a quiet and comfortable night's sleep, although we woke too early (ie at our normal time of 6.30). We eventually wandered downstairs to breakfast, then out into town to do some shopping. One pair of trousers, one peacock-pattern waistcoat, and several books later, we went into the Ashmolean. This is very much an "Ashmolean Lite" at the moment, as they are having major rebuilding works, but still worth seeing - especially the "Treasures of the Ashmolean" exhibition - 200+ of their major items in one room. We had lunch at the cafe there - covered market for food - back to the hotel - cup of tea - collect our luggage - and back home.

*I read that the architect's original designs for the Randolph were toned down before the place was built. The mind boggles.

EDIT: List of attendees now corrected - thanks, parrot_knight!