Barbara's travels continue 2018

  For the twentieth time I had coordinated the teachers and students at the summer camp in Zuoz, and here I was heading there again for probably the 16 th time. I missed a couple during Covid when I stayed put in New Zealand. The beautiful Walensee always looks so inviting, but can also be treacherous when sudden storms hit. Apparently a couple of SUP users had been drowned there last week. It is always so wonderful to take the little red train into and along the Engadine valley, only to be met by two of my best friends, Marco and Dennis at Zuoz station , then whisked off to Samedan for drinks - agreat start to what ended up a very busy and marvellous week. Oh how I love this view from the Lyceum. I never tire of it. I feel at home. First night, a visit to the prison! Now a very cosy and enjoyable place for a drink with the teachers. It’s so wonderful to see them all again. Next day, market day in the pretty little village of Le Punt. The weather was magnificent, and although warm,...

The final day of a great short trip in England with Dennis. We only had a few hours in Oxford, but covered a lot of ground. It’s a magnificent city with so much history and such wonderful architecture. I loved all the pedestrian areas and the fact that biking is commonplace. Our first stop was the Sheldonian Theatre, built between 1664 and 1669 for the University of Oxford, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was a fabulous place, steeped in history  Where so many had graduated ( not me! And others have simply enjoyed concerts, events or just the incredible ceiling paintings. We climbed the stairs to the top of the dome for a great view over the city with all its chimneys and spires. It’s a fantastic piece of architecture  As is the Bodleian Library  And the quadrangle, which Dennis visited whilst  I went to an animal exhibition in the library opposite- I liked the humour here.  I discovered, not surprisingly, that in Britain there are 13.5 million pet dogs, 36...