The most stressful train journey so far..

It feels strange to be leaving home after just having arrived but I am really looking forward to the Gatsby Plant Summer School. Left early this morning to get the 12:00am train from King's Cross. However, the piccadilly line was down so mum had to give me a lift to Ealing Broadway with my green wheelie suitcase. I took the fast train to Paddington and rushed to find the circle line (later realised that it would've been better to take the Hammersmith and City..). It was only a few stops to King's cross and I was running just on time. At the stop before King's the driver announced that the station had been closed due to someone jumping on the tracks so everyone would have to get off at Euston! I rushed off the train and, using all my strength, ran up the stairs out of the station to find King's Cross station. I had no idea where I was. After asking a couple of people, someone pointed me in the direction of the station. I SPRINTED, dragging my suitcase behind me. I heard something fall while I ran but didn't pay any attention to it. A man later came up to me and handed me my book, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and told me that my rucksack was wide open. Shocked, I checked and luckily it still had my camera, wallet and passport inside. phew.
After another sprint I got to a HUGE crowd of people blocking the pavement and road to the station in the distance. An air ambulance had landed in the middle of the road to collect the person who'd jumped on the tracks. Getting past all the tourists was a nightmare but I did manage to have time to whip out my camera and take a quick shot of the moment.
Sprinted into the station and couldn't find the right platform. After going to the Info point I had 2mins before the train left. Of course I had the cheapest ticket which was in the second to last carriage. Got on the train seconds before the doors closed. very lucky indeed.
Once at Gatsby I told Jeremy and Liz my AWFUL story (and may have exaggerated a little too..). It felt so good to finaly arrive and swap my suitcase for a super-cool badge and bag filled with plant related stuff!
We had an ice-breaker tutorial where we were all split into groups and had to do a presentation on a plant we think should be prioritised when it comes to storing the seeds in seed banks. My group chose to do a play on Jack and the Hashstalk. It was awful. At dinner I got to meet other people from different universities; they all seemed a bit taken aback when I told them I was from Oxford. Honestly, its not like it makes me a super-genius! Fpr pudding I had oht chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce. It was DIVINE! Later on in the evening we had a Pub Quiz which was also entertaining. Went to sleep very exhausted.

Sky Blue

Today was the day that I went with mum and dad to the Bristol Cancer Help Center. We drove up the motorway at top speed (running late as always). Before arriving to the outskirts of Bristol I noticed a small plane doing flips in the sky above the motoway. The pilot would fly verticaly above our heads before spiralling downwards so close to the ground that you'd think he was going to crash. Just watching him against the backdrop of the bright blue sky gave me the sensation of soaring higher and higher with him.

There really is no place just like this

Finally home. Sleeping in my bed felt wonderful. Started to unpack.

Last day

The second open day was more relaxed as there was less people to show around. By the end we were all exhausted and the Pimm's given out by the IT staff was thoroughly appreciated! Nabs, Christina and I sat talking to Gabrielle (History tutor) talking about the summer and how lovely Oxford is in the sunshine. I then went back to my room to pack as mum and dad were on the way. Managed to do this surprisingly and rushed to the library to return the books I'd been hoarding throughout the year. Saw Alex Whithead on the way who tried to encourage me to look up me exam results online as they were already out. I only looked at the results once back in my room whilst talking to Jeremy on the phone. They were awful. My heart felt like it was screwing itself up in my chest. I needed to go for a walk. Sat on the bridge in the soft evening sunlight.
Mum and dad came later to pick my stuff up with Chesca. We went to eat at Wagamama's and I have never felt to happy to be going home.

Hertford Open Day

Yay! The weather was amazingly hot today so Chandni and I put on loads of sunscreen. We spent the day showing people around the college, handing out bags and leaflets, talking to prospective students and lazing about in the sunshine. After lunch (which was free, of course)I took a few students to meet the biology tutor, Martin. Sitting there with them listening to him talk reminded me of when I'd been in the exact same room two years ago with mum and dad. We'd chosen to look at Hertford completely by accident as non of the other collges would let us in as we "hadn't booked beforehand". However, by chance, we came across Hertford after walking up New College lane and they were so friendly that I immediatly fell in love with the college. I hope that the students who came today will feel the same.
After a hard days work we all went to the park where I met Nabs who was staying in another college on a summer course. We ate dried mango in the Uni Parks and I took this shot while Chris and Oli played frisbee.

Sticky, Humid, Lazy Day

SOOOOOO sticky! I just want a constant shower...The worst thing is that its really hot and not sunny at all *sigh*. I finished doing the DVDs today and sat in the (what was then) sunshine. Then went to the JCR and met Oli and Nick to watch Desperate Housewives. Have spent most of the time on facebook uploading picture both outside with Will and in the library (my room is too humid as its at the top of the building). Someone has also moved in next door so I can no longer play my music really loud and leave my door wide open while I dance about *sigh*. In the evening Chandni came back from London and I taught her how to do somersaults in OB quad. We then went to G&D's to meet the Twyford people who'd come with Dr Evans for the Open Day. Saw Lee and spoke for ages about random Oxford things with Dr E. Was great to see them rock up in the old Twyford minivan. Sadly only half of them were staying in Hertford over night - Lee got to stay at Christ Church. Also met a randomer from Spain today too who is working in Hertford over the summer. We spoke Spanish and it made me happy :)

Open Day people go punting

Started the day off with the joys of packing DVDs into wallets outside in the sun in OB quad. It was starting to get really hot so moved into the shade once Nick arrived to give me a hand. We chatted for ages and he told me about a secret party event thingy called Pears Gav. Apparently you can only go if you get invited and the location is always secret (it’s also always just a huge rich-kid party filled with nakedness and drugs – joy!).
Later, there was a punting trip organised by Oli Coward along the Isis. We brought beer and walked up to the punt house in the heat. There were three punts booked so Chris Anderton, oli and another of the Open Day people punted while the rest of us relaxed. Christina and I sat in the sunshine drinking and it was soooo relaxing! We stopped outside the uni parks wile people went for a swim and the rest of us sat in the sunshine. As we punted further along we managed to hit a few trees and also get a whole family of ducks to follow as Alex was putting biscuit crumbs in the water for them. The punt next to us had some American guys inside who were punting close to the water’s edge. This way they would climb over any tree branches in the way and try to get back into the punt in time. However, they fell in a couple of times which we found hilarious! Further along I had a go at punting which was not as hard as it looks. The pole was REALLY heavy but steering the punt was WAY easier than coxing! Once past Magdalene bridge, Oli and Chris tried to race and we then put all three punts together to make a raft. As we passed the botanical gardens it started to POUR with rain. Christina, Alex and Que decided to go back but we kept on going as Chris and I were meeting Ben at Folley bridge. So, we kept on going in the rain and were drenched to the bone. Luckily it was that heavy type of summer rain which just leaves you soaking rather than slightly wet and sticky. Once at folley bridge we steered the punts into the grad centre and moored there. The other Anna and I climbed up onto the banks and we all started walking home.
In the evening I cycled down to Old Ab. Where Emma and Ben were cooking a good-bye meal for Ben who was leaving for Costa Rica the next day. The kitchen was boiling but once we were outside in the garden (and were drinking Emma’s home-made strawberry-lemonade drink) it was a lot more pleasant. I also met their friend Tope from South East London who REALLY reminded me of Seni (he even has the same accent). Suddenly I felt slightly home-sick : (
Cycled back in the dark back to the empty NB5 but slept really well (although my room was slightly hot and humid). I quite like having the building to myself as it means that I can have my door swung open and music playing as loud as I want. This photo was taken in OB quad of me and Chris A.- he constantly teases me but is so sweet!