There have been a lot of changes for us this year, some planned, some unforeseen, some exciting and wonderful, some frustrating and irritating. Thankfully for the large part they have all worked out for the best and involved some pretty great perks such as hanging out with wonderful friends and family in Australia despite the annoyance of having to travel some 17,000 kilometres to have our fingerprints taken by the British Embassy. Of course they granted us our visas in record time (it took longer for Australia Post to move the application we posted to the PO Box next door than the entire visa process to and from Manilla) and they then even let us into the country and we are now slowly but surely setting up life in Oxford.
The travels have now sadly ended, at least the epic not working variety, we are currently in Bristol staying with friends so we continue to do our best to fit in some small adventures wherever possible. There are many photos and stories of Paris to come. Not to mention our time in Sydney, which for the first time I thoroughly enjoyed. Where previously I found the city confusing and not at all very charming, this time I saw what it seems everyone else has been seeing, a beautiful city with incredible diversity, filled with nature, and little hubs of unique character dispersed about the suburbs. Not to mention great friends, food and weather!
Meanwhile our first week plus in Oxford has been a rather surreal experience as we return to a place that was so familiar but similarly so much has happened since we lived there. In one sense it has been comforting and very easy to already know where to eat, shop, etc and for the most part not having to look at a map to get from a to b. In the other sense it has been exciting to meet new people, explore new areas outside of the centre, begin new jobs and challenges. It is was also quite delightful to rediscover what a beautiful and quaint town Oxford is, filled with such incredible architecture and vibrancy with all of the freshers floating about town. Sadly, it has been quite depressing noticing already the inevitable onset of winter that has seemingly begun already...
We have now found ourselves a home, albeit a teeny tiny home, it is in a great area just ten minutes north of the centre on the back of our newly acquired bicycles. We move in next week and can't wait to begin exploring our "little village" that seems to be filled mostly with coffee shops, wine cellars and pubs - which may or may not have played a very large part in the selection of our new home.
Ash is in full swing with his studies and already found himself surrounded by exciting and interesting people in his department as he diligently begins the rather epic task of reading reading and more reading. I am searching but well on the way to being gainfully employed which is fortunate given how much we like to eat. And eating we have spent ample time doing since arriving, well if I were to be honest the eating and drinking has been a rather wonderful status quo for the past few months but it has been great to revisit some favourite old haunts.
