Tides of time pass and oceans of memories come and go, but it seems there will always be a corner of Oxford in my heart. I feel so at home there.
Walking along the canal from Hythe bridge to Isis Lock this morning the narrowboats triggered all kinds of recollections, and once again I could hear Katherine's laughter on the rising mist and Steve's obscenties echoing on the still water. A boat called Kimberley. A kingfisher.
The tranquility is something almost tangible in that place, just yards from the early morning traffic that clogs up the roads after 8 o'clock.Returning to Oxford was meant to be, I will be forever drawn. The convenience of meeting the girls from a coach that arrives at Gloucester Green direct from Northampton is a divine plan, and today for once I made ceratin that I arrived in plenty of time to meet them. Coffee and croissants watching the travellers from Harveys, and then an hour browsing the Antique and Collectors market.
I am fearful that these moments too will be fleeting. That once K passes her test, or whatever else happens to give them more independence, we will no longer have the opportunity to meet in this most wonderful of cities.
Maybe my relationship with Rob will extent this period of re-acquaintance. I certainly pray for that to be so...