Summer is no more

I would like some advice from my younger more experienced cousins about a thing that they call 'O' week which is starting tomorrow. Not having ever attended one before (well not legitimately as a student anyway) I have a few concerns, most disturbing being that everyone up until about 3 months ago was wearing a high school uniform, whereas this year I was unable to attend my 12 year high school reunion. That the likes of Harry, Nick and Milly are all theoretically more mature than the people I will be studying with makes me somewhat concerned.

I recently purchased my commoners gown and cap, and next week have to attend the Sheldonian theatre to matriculate, which involves, amongst other pomp and ceremony, all new students raising their right hand and vowing not to 'burn the books of the Bodlean Library'... in Latin. A shame, as now that my idea has been thwarted by the powers that be I will have to think of some other practical joke so that I might become a University hero... yes they still talk about Bob Hawkes record for downing a yard glass here, and yes the record still stands, and no I don't think I can beat it, but yes I might try one day, and no Sar does not approve of this, and yes I know she is... I know.

On the rugby front we have had a few tours recently and 4 games into the season I am falling to bits and confirming that the decision to retire was a good one, although the fact that I keep mentioning it must mean I was never quite 100% sure. They have been excellent tours although we have only won 1 from 4, but it is shaping up as a good season. In the footsteps of my father I am getting a run at 10 next week and am looking to have a similar tackle count in the game that he would have once had to do him proud. We played Portugal last weekend and went down by 2 which was frustrating for the lads, it was more like a fight than a match really, you have to love the Latino spirit. To give you an idea of some of the ridiculous overachievers that we have in the team, one of the boys was given the role on tour of 'thought for the day', but he was required to give his quote in Russian and French before he delivered it in English, which he did. Another member broke his nose on day 1 of pre-season and was able to get 3 different opinions from post grad doctors who play in the team. Nerds.

Talking of nerds, I went for a beer last night at the Eagle and Child. It is a pub here in Oxford where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to meet once a week to have a beer and discuss what they were writing. I am not sure if I have mentioned this before but it really amazes me, and I like to imagine what they used to say to each other. "well I'm going to make up a world called middle earth, with orcs and an elven language and a magic ring" - "really, well I'm going to make up a world called Narnia, I might throw in a talking lion, not sure yet, who's shout is it?". Anyway, part of O week is joining up to all the society's that the uni has, and yes they have a Tolkien appreciation society, and yes I am thinking of joining.

But now I am just rambling, so will sign off for now, will try and post a few shots soon,