Last Sunday we had a quick bite at Costa, Eddie enjoyed a pigs in blankets roll, and I had a festive spiced cappuccino, which looked pretty but again was too sweet to my taste.
On Monday a friend took my Mum and me by car to the Burford garden centre. While Mum was browsing the aisles with the seeds and bulbs, Jen and I checked out a new Reading room with art books and gorgeous stationery. The prices, however, are totally crazy - for example, these beautiful notebooks cost £36 each. There was a sealed book set on Leonardo at £400.
A dental appointment first thing in the morning for Eddie.
On Wednesday I persuaded my Mum to visit the Ashmolean. She's been there before, but not in the last couple of years. With my boys, I tend to stay longer in the Egyptian rooms, as Eddie loves looking at the mummies, while Sash prefers the Greek sculpture, and we rarely go upstairs to see the European art.
This is the Ideal Head by Antonio Canova.
With all the rain in the last weeks, the river Windrush has burst out of its banks, and the flood plains are under water. When I was walking towards the bridge from town, some bloke on the bike asked me sarcastically if I could swim. Like it's any of his business what I plan to do.
When we were in Oxford on Wednesday, we also visited the flea market, and Mum bought this Tudor-style bell to take back to Russia as a gift for a friend who collects the vintage bells. The seller wasn't sure about what historical period it could be. I don't think the bell is that old, but the lady is dressed in a Tudor-style dress.
The iris pods in the garden look so pretty.
Wow, those notebooks are so expensive. They do look lovely, but nevertheless, these are still only notebooks. Glad your mother enjoyed her visit to the Ashmolean and she found that lovely bell.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anca, I love the Ashmolean, there's always something to discover that you miss on the previous visits.
DeleteThose Christmas drinks do look so pretty but they are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. £36 for a notebook. I'll stick to the poundshop. hehehe
The flooding is terrible isn't it. x
Thanks, Kim, I should really learn my lesson and not bother with the festive drinks, and just order my usual latte.
DeleteI love the ashmolean but we've not been since N was about 3yo. I'm with you on Christmas coffee shop drinks. They always sound nice but never taste as good as expected.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma, we don't go to Oxford that often, but enjoy the Ashmolean. The mummies are spectacular, maybe N would like to see them.
DeleteIt sounds like your mum is having a lovely stay with you. It must have been nice to spend time looking at what you wanted to see at the Ashmolean. Wow, those prices in Burford Garden Centre are crazy! I've seen very similar scenes of flooded fields near here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah, it was nice to revisit the Ashmolean, one of my favourite places in Oxford.
DeleteWow, I can't believe the flood plains are under water ! Does that happen regularly? Lovely to hear about your visits out and about with your mum. You're lucky to have so many great museums near where you live - spoilt for choice ! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, the flooding happens every year, but usually in spring, I don't remember it going out like that in late autumn.
DeleteWhat lovely notebooks! Pity about the prices. So much flooding! I do like the antique bell.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erica, the antique bell is now in Russia, and his new owner will get it tomorrow. Mum told him on the phone, and he's very excited about it.
DeleteThe antique bell looks lovely! what a find. Ive never been to the Ashmolean.. would love to visit. I like your photo project... means you can 'say more' in your post which sometimes is what I feel writing (then I wonder who'd ever be remotely interested!)
ReplyDeleteWould love to have a coffee with you again one day
Thank you, Fede, you are welcome to join our group, and do the Project 365 from January, if you fancy. I find it a lovely record of what we've been doing, and enjoy reading all the ladies' posts too.
DeleteWow those notebooks are expensive, i wouldn't be buying one, please stop trying the flavoured coffee's as they keep disappointing you lol
ReplyDeleteI know, Suzanne, I need a kick up my backside for buying those flavoured coffees. :)
DeleteThat bell is a nice present to take back.
ReplyDelete£36 for a notebook????? would I heck, but I guess somebody must if they sell them.
shame the coffee was to sweet.
Thank you, Elaine, I think those notebooks will be stocking fillers for the posh Cotswolds residents. There's a lot of rich people living in mansions around Burford.
DeleteThose notebooks are so expensive. They do look lovely, though. Glad your mum had a nice time at Ashmolean xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, my Mum is back at home now, I'll be looking at the photos of our trips to Oxford and thinking of her.
DeleteFancy cappucino design. The books look very interesting. Wow! The sculpture of Ideal Head looks so smooth and elegant!! The bell looks quite elegant but it doesn't seem to be very old, in my opinion. The iris pods look so fresh! Look at all that red!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andale, the ideal head is very elegant. I don't think the bell is that old either, maybe late Victorian? It is a bell to call the servants.
DeleteFab snowflake on the coffee and love the bell but the books are an astonishing price #project365
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