Poor old Bloomsbury Bell has been unintentionally neglected over the past few weeks due to the impending 'big move'. I mentioned in my last post that things are afoot; I am pleased to say that they are still afoot and Mr Bell and I are packing up our books to go and live in Oxford.
I have lived in London for the past eight years and it is proving to be a wrench to leave, despite the fact that I have been longing for pastures new for a while. We are leaving all of our lovely friends and plunging into a totally new and different life. Both of us have new jobs doing completely different things and we are very much looking forward to getting started. Before we go however, we have a few 'last hurrah's' planned in London with various friends so I am looking forward to making the most of my last fortnight in the big city.
Whilst I have been planning and organising our new life I haven't been able to read anything too meaty. As soon as I found out we were going I cracked open my 50p copy of The Way Through the Woods by Colin Dexter to get me in the Oxford mood. I am now having to curb my perception that Oxford is all dreaming spires and multiple murders.
I have only been to Oxford for the odd day trip so I am excited about discovering what the city has to offer. I have been doing as much online research as possible and have found some interesting places to go for Burgers, Moroccan and Ice Cream. I just need to find a non-touristy tea room with real homemade cake. To this day I have not found a tea room to beat St Martin's Tea Rooms in my home town; Chichester. I wonder if Oxford can provide a rival?
One major source of excitement is that my old dutch bike, which I bought in 2007 for dirtbag cheap (and hardly used), has been tarted up and I even paid extra for a wicker basket to be put on the front. I am now having visions of pootling on my bike to the Covered Market for provisions and a paper before cycling along the river to a shady spot to while away the hours a la Brideshead.
G and D's ice cream is definitely to be recommended. There aren't huge numbers of wonderful eating places - in terms of tea, you could try The Rose, but I'm not sure it's exactly what you're after - the Randolph has to be visited on a special occasion for their afternoon tea.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not going to fight me for the VMCs in Oxfam, especially as you'll be nearer than me (workwise) to the St Giles branch!
Oxford seems like a wonderful place to me. Hope you settle down comfortably :)
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your Morse reference as I have been watching Morse DVDs whilst doing the ironing recently - a nod to the fact that I used to live in Oxford but now hardly go there at all, and rather miss it. I second Verity's suggestion of The Rose which is on the High. So many lovely places... and not as many murders as you might think from fiction!
ReplyDeleteI am not kidding when i say i will hound you to wear a helmet on your bike, i have seen a few too many head injuries!!
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What an exciting move for you both! New jobs and new city. Oxford is a great place although I have to admit a preference for Cambridge of course!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to hearing how things are going in due course. In the meantime enjoy London for all its worth - I only appreciated it fully after I had moved away.
Jeanne
x
oh how exciting! i do love Oxford - the Jericho cafe is lovely and the Pitt Rivers museum is one of my favourite museums ever, it's like another world.
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting! Moves are always stressful, but I hope y'all have as relaxing a move as possible, and lots of fun putting up books in your new digs. :)
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ReplyDeleteOh Naomi, it sound so beautiful, I hope that you find what you are looking for in Oxford, and more. I can't wait to see pictures!
ReplyDeleteHere's to your very own little Oxford, one that you will invent yourself.
It's going to be fantastic!! Though obviously am very sad that you are leaving me (and London!) behind! You're going to be riding around in a headscarf and welly boots before you know it - Provincial Lady!
ReplyDeleteHope the move goes well. At least you'll still be close to London. I've been to Oxford once and definitely plan to go again. I am a huge Inspector Morse fan! Hope you'll show off your tricked-out bike here sometime...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move, it's so exciting moving to a new city!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you on the move and your new job! Searching out a new favourite tea room sounds like a delicious way to spend some free time...lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteYou bring back the most wonderful memories. My son studied at Pengburne for two years and on numerous visits we of course came to Oxford. I adore the old city, but I have to say the part were they tried to incorporate the modern parking garage for the hordes of tourists is gruelling. I guess it must be a challenge to bring this city so full of the old charm tastefully into the 21 century. But nevertheless its a city after my own heart. Old streets, older churches, courtyards and colleges...absolutely lovely! And so young with all the students.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new home, job and life there!
XX
Victoria
PS:
Just finished Elizabeth Goudge's 'Scent of Water' So wonderful!
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ReplyDeleteOh what an exciting time for you :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move. Change is always exciting!
ReplyDeleteThe morse comment made me let out a rather large cackle I have to say. G&D's ice-cream is the best, I always get mine with gummy bears, you just have to.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful challenge, and you couldnt be moving to a city with better bloggers, apart from the one you are leaving of course!
Good luck with your move. Moves are always stressful, but worth it if you are moving to a place that sounds as wondeful as Oxford.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Oxford. The Rose on the High Street does lovely home made cakes but it does fill up at this time of year. You'll be joining us at the height of the tourist season so please don't give up on the old city until you get to experience the magic of being here in the autumn & winter. Hope the move goes o.k.
ReplyDeleteLucky, lucky you! What a dream to bicycle there. What a dream to actually live there. Can't wait for stories and pictures.
ReplyDeleteExciting times ahead. What a wonderful place to be moving to. Hope the move goes well and you settle in quickly. Good luck in the new job too.
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