Gusties in Oxford

Two of our good friends from undergrad, Gustavus Adolphus College, visited us in Oxford this week. Last we saw them was not long after we graduated in 2000, and they weren't even dating then! But we knew them both as friends, and we were happy to hear when they got engaged and married since then. Susan and I were on the diving team together at GAC, and she was also in the physics department, but one year behind Brian. Larry was president of the Greek system and also in physics with Brian, the same year as us. Currently, Larry and Susan are living in Florence, South Carolina, where Larry is an Assistant Professor on the tenure track at Francis Marion College. Susan is coaching diving at Charleston University and gymnastics in Florence.

Larry was over in England the past six weeks up in Manchester, doing some collaborate research there for the summer (and escaping the Southern US heat). Susan joined him two weeks ago, and they have been doing some touring around England before they head back to the states next week. They came down to Oxford Monday, and just left this morning (Thursday). They're heading to London until Monday, and fly home Tuesday.

I met them at the train station in Oxford Monday morning, and we headed to our flat to drop off their stuff and make a lunch. We headed into town to have lunch in the park, take care of some train stuff for them, and then visited Brian at his lab.
Went to the Turf Tavern for a pint or two and then back to the flat to grill some sesame chicken wraps and hang out.

Tuesday the four of us went into Summertown, our neighborhood area, to pick up food for the evening and walk around. Then walked along the Oxford Canal into the city centre. Visited the main sights like Christ Church College, the view from St. Mary's church and the covered market. Went to The Bear, the oldest pub in Oxford, from like 1242! Grilled some shrimp and potatoes for dinner and looked over some fun travel pics.

Wednesday, Larry and Susan did some exploring of the museums on their own, then we all met up at the pub. Went to the Royal Oak (where we meet up with the physics group every Friday) for pub food, and then for some ice cream down the street. Visited the Eagle & Child pub on our way home and stayed up late visiting some more.

Was really great to see good friends we hadn't seen in a long time and just to see familiar faces and hear American accents too!

Thanks for coming to visit L & S!