On the Thames

We've had some wonderful days here in Oxford with the Lawheads, chiefly because they are wonderful people but also because they have a wonderful house a stone's throw from the Thames. Here the Thames is a modest river, just wide enough for one boat to pass another, with a towpath ideal for walking and gawking. Less than two miles upriver is the heart and soul of the university, and in between all the college boats are out practicing rowing on the river. As it's spring and green and flowery, we have had some lovely walks and runs.

Today we get on the bus to go to Heswall, where our friends the Trollopes live. Another three days of walking and lolling around, I suspect.

Steve Lawhead, in case you don't know, is probably our most famous friend. Just about any bookstore in the world will have half a dozen or more of his books, in the fantasy/science fiction section. He doesn't act famous though--he's modest and quiet, and a lot of fun to talk to.

We got to spend some hours with Silas, too, who came back to Oxford with us after we journeyed to Nottingham to watch him race (and win) the British Universities Rowing Championships. He was in good spirits and appears to be aware that he needs to write a master's thesis between now and August. So far his work has been mainly involved with rowing. BTW he plans to move to Berkeley to continue his rowing with the US team in the fall.