Hello!
I finally figured out how to bring back post titles...haha. Looks like I'll have to go back through my other posts and adjust 'em all!

Valerie and I will be leaving Oxford in the morning, but as Valerie said, it seems our IQs have gained several points just by being IN Oxford!

First, a bit about our hostel. Valerie booked us for a six bed all female dorm. When we arrived yesterday, we found that though they had our reservation, they had put us in a mixed dorm. They didn't mention that fact, but showed us into a room where a guy was sleeping! Valerie explained what we had requested, and they completely understood, but the all female dorm was full. They ended up moving two of the permanent males from their room that held six other female staff and letting us take those beds. Needless to say, it was a very awkward start! We were so uncomfortable here. Fortunately, tonight is much better. We have our correct room and we are able to interact with others who are just passing through and don't feel like we're invading someone else's bedroom. The people here are very friendly and it feels very safe. (That's for you, Mom--but it's true!) There's a kitchen and common area to share, which is why I'm able to do some posting here.

This morning, Valerie and I took a self-guided C.S. Lewis tour. We were able to see places that Lewis frequented, many of them with Tolkien or Dryson. Magdalen (say: Maudlin) was closed, so we wandered through a lovely park and played a bit on a fun carousel. We stopped in a cememtery that was beautiful for its history and wonderful blend of nature and graves. Many of the headstones were leaning erratically, others had already toppled and most were nearly covered by ivy, moss or weeds. At this cemetery we saw the graves of Charles Williams and Kenneth Graham (Wind in the Willows!). After lunching on food bought from a local supermarket, we ran into Lisa (the girl I sat next to on the plane), and we did some souvenir shopping with her before we headed back to Magdalen College, where Lewis was a fellow. It was amazing! Valerie and I took lots of pictures, though I'm worried that I won't remember what all of them are. We saw the windows of Lewis' room (He lived in the New Building. The one that was completed in 1733. Holy crap!) and walked along the path that he walked during the conversation he had with Dryson and Tolkien the day before his conversion. Along this path we were chased by ducks--a very scary experience!

By the end my very expensive sandals were KILLING my feet. Uh-oh. I'm not sure what I'll do about that; the problem is, I think, psychological. My left foot felt great, but I had difficulty not tensing my right big toe. I'm giving them a break tomorrow, for sure. I may end up shoe shopping in London!

Tomorrow we go to Salisbury to see a cathedral. Next day we'll be at Wincester, where we'll see many Jane Austen sites.

Thanks again for your prayers!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!!! I'm glad you're my daddy and I love you! I hope you enjoy your other daughter and your grandkiddos today!

Love, Danielle

Just a quick update from Oxford!

Hannah and Valerie met me at LAX. From there, we headed to Denny's for a long leisurely breakfast. It was so nice to be reunited with friends! Hannah was sad that she couldn't be going with us, but still excited for us to be able to go. After Denny's we tried to go the beach, but the traffic was terrible, so we hung out at Border's briefly. And of course, we got a cop to take a picture of us outside of the airport!

Valerie and I had an easy flight, though neither of us were able to get any significant sleep. We haven't slept (or brushed our teeth) for thirty hours! We met a young English teacher named Lisa who was traveling by herself. She was meeting up with a tour group in the morning. How scary!! I'm so glad that I have Valerie here to help find things with!

At Heathrow airport, we met some of Valerie's family to give them a suitcase full of gifts packed by her aunt...unfortunately British Airways misplaced it!! They promised it would be sent shortly to Val's relative's house. Keeping our fingers crossed!#

From there we took a train to Hayes...a pretty "ghetto" seeming part of London. We tried to help an Asian woman who spoke NO English find her train...but we had no idea what we were doing and I'm afraid we completely mislead her! We prayed that someone kind and more knowledgable than us would come quickly to guide her! As we waited on the train platform, Express trains would zoom passed us, making both Valerie and I jump and sending out hair and any loose papers flying everywhere. They are loud and VERY FAST! We finally found our train, boarded and sat next to a lovely father and daughter, John and Caroline, who were on their way to watch the girls rowing competition (regatta?). They were wonderful and gave us many fabulous tips and even better conversation for nearly forty minutes.

Once they left, it was just Val and I in our area...and I found myself falling asleep on accident!

That brings us to Oxford. Today we saw Christ's Church and ate dinner (Beer-battered fish and chips) in the Eagle and Child--the very pub that C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and the other Inklings used to gather at. So exciting (and yummy!).

I'll have to fill you in on the rest of Oxford later.

Keep praying for us please!

Kitties

We rescued some very cute kittens this weekend, and I wanted to throw some pictures of them on to the web.

This is Bonnie and Clyde.
(Actually...we don't have a name for the girl yet, and we've been calling the boy "Bruiser.")
Bruiser is a manly man, and lil' girl is still not at full health. Her eyes are full of disgusting gunk that makes me very sad.


And this is Josephine March. At least, that was her name until I found out my future roommate already has a cat named Jo and I decided that's just a bit too weird.


Any suggestions on kitty names?