Nunnery

Spared of our responsibilities for a brief day, we returned to the meadow to walk. It was hot. 

The ducks/geese/whatever swam in neat lines.

We don't recall ever having seen the terrain so scorched.

I do like locks and canals and canal boats.

I had walked past this nunnery - Godstow Abbey - before but this was the first time I'd properly explored it.

The abbey was still in use, for BBQs.

One of the more charming blue plaques.

The Trout was always a favourite pub of mine, which inspired the setting of Philip Pullman's Book of Dust .

This crafty fellow has an umbrella keeping his drink cool while he steers the canal.

Something strange about the abundant green brambles.

Riverside

One day, amidst the ceaseless blue sky heat, I went with E to the town with little particular agenda and wandered the central streets. We admired the spires and rising bollards.

We walked past some particularly narrow alleys.

We found ourselves wandering in a meadow, by the river, where the punts go past, to catch some shade. Here's an old building, perhaps being renovated?

Cows with wonky horns.

Willows weeping.

We swam by these parts when we went punting.

Specifically here, in the shade of that pine-like tree, we anchored (on our previous visit) and dipped into the water. The man in the red shirt walking in the park we saw on our last visit, walking the same dog. Hows about that.

Exiting the meadow we walked up Hollywell Street, possibly my favourite street in the town.