Among the things I really love about Oxford is the fact that, although the city is an incredibly cosmopolitan and exciting place, it takes only a 15 minute walk to reach bona fide countryside. It's great to get out of the flat and away from the colleges and bookshops to take in the sights and fresh air.
The English countryside is a great place to indulge in flights of pastoral whimsy... 
or bouts of Romantic melancholia if that's your thing.
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*Note to the solo photographer: When at a really atmospheric abandoned abbey, make sure you pay attention to the length of time you set for your camera's automatic timer. If you neglect this point, you WILL ruin the picture by inopportunely pushing up your glasses like a giant poindexter. I know...
Heath,
Is that a hot air balloon? "Old Europe", eh? Maybe that other American in England, Tyrone Slothrop, is in it right now.
Posted by: Zack | December 12, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Hey Zack,
It is indeed a hot air balloon. As far as Mr. Slothrop is concerned, if he is about he must be keeping his escapades to a minimum since I haven't noticed any German rocket activity in the area. I was hoping there were a bunch of fanciful, Victorian, Phileas Fogg types up there.
Posted by: Heath Iverson | December 12, 2008 at 06:03 PM
You take amazing pictures! Thanks, you have improved my day.
Posted by: Lydia | February 06, 2009 at 05:46 PM