Just left Oxford and are now in Reading. Jim's doing the usual research library thing and I found this very cool public library with lots of free Internet access. Reading seems quite pleasant and it's been fun walking along the canal (Thames also runs through the city) and saw some interesting canal boats floating by. The best was one with loads of plants, herbs, a dog, young couple (guy with hair to his waist...very 60's)and a young baby bouncing along in a little cot. Very charming. They waved at everyone and seemed like they were having a great time.

We had a super visit with the Bradshaw family in Oxford and had a lot of laughs, great food (thank you, Barbara), interesting pubs (thank you, David), impressive cricket and trampoline demonstrations (thank you, Rory), and round Britain type quizzes (thank you, Georgia). I do have to note, though, that I am the only one who managed to get "soft hands" Jim out at cricket....very proud of that!

And a real highlight was the Griffin Circus that was performing in a nearby field. This is a travelling Victorian type circus that was just fantastic with loads of excellent acts...horses, clowns, dancing girls, acrobats, strong man, magicians...and even a tightrope walker who played an Irish jig on a violin while standing on the tightrope with one foot! All very impressive and lots of fun...super band as well. We were all exhausted just by watching all these energetic goings one for two hours. Do take this in if you're in England and have a chance. Seems it all started in 1999 when the to-be Mrs. Griffin said, "I say, darling, I would like a circus"...and the rest is history.