May Away... UK for Stephen, NZ for Paulie

On May 9th Stephen headed off to England only to discover enroute in the Dubai lounge that one uni he was to talk at was on strike. The other postponed! The week of the 16th was still booked for some training for a 6 month consulting gig with a Uni Liverpool spin off company. Paulie also headed off - to Auckland for a week to help dear friends. Stephen spent 3 night in their French "home town" before a few nights back in Oxford and a return home on the 27th. As alway, he enjoyed shacking up with James and Keno - the weather was now right for a punting excursion complete with a lost Scotsman.

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May 12. The rooftop blossums... A generous bicycle offering from Keno gives Stephen time to explore exlore mor of Jericho and it's inhabitants May 14- rare sunshine. So a quick punt is in order
This way.. ... to the Vic Arms for some Pimms Before handing command of the vessel to James Who, like in some Indian initiation ceremony, now masters the skill
We are thinking of a tribal Punting pole tattoo as a sign of his Atho warrior status Just as we approach Cherwell Boat House is Keno's (Wolfson) College. Well placed for our next punting expedition Stephen has a car for travel to Liverpool, so they collect a new outdoor setting
4 hours later, Stephen arrives in Liverpool. The daily walk to work at the hospital office takes him past some nice architecture... ... and past the Uni On Hope Road next to the Uni is the Catholic Cathedral -designed by an Anglican & at the other end is the Anglican one (yep- designed ...)
A dinner invitation from colleagues means a 30 minute trip to their village of Hoylake Where a huge beach on the Irish Sea looks across to Wales A morning walk discovers that Liverpool is the ideal city for Hepatologists who have their own building- The Liver Building. Also perfect for Beatles fans. The Fab Four face the world
Liverpool also supplied the world. WIth Slaves! This drydock was used for slave ships until the trade was abolished (in the UK) in 1807 21 May - The week in Liverpool over, time to head to Toulouse And given La Cachette was rented, Stephen stayed with the team at La Porte Bleue (the Bleue is to come) Where the workshop has been adapted for friend/family stays
Time to carry out the primary mission of the French visit Garden tidy up at La Cachette A Sunday apero with Youlande - tasting Aussie wines and a French treat (Cheese on a Chimney) Mission stage 2... to Montauban to replace some garden furnishings
En route home the team meet up in Caussade for lunch Then Stephen sees how the new deck chair and cushion look in the tiddied up garden. Fine! 24 May - French mission complete so after 3 nights he returns to Oxford. James' school pal Venitia drops in from London where she is young legal eagle James has the week off so a cycle for chores- he needs a suit for numerous College events & Stephen has Brit Bank battles.
Chores done, a cycle home to pack for the flight home. James leaves the day after for a Paris weekend May 26 - Fare the well Old Blighty until the next visit