My Jonal

I went to London on Monday. It was brilliant! It was a shopping trip, so we went to all the usual places. The guy in Harrods asked me if I wanted a basket. I obviously look like their standard. I love London so much. Everyone's so nice. There was a fantastic busker playing 'Norweigan Wood' near Covent Garden. I think I was the only person who smiled at him all day. He smiled back. Everyone's beautiful in London.

There were also living statues near Covent Garden. I love them. They are incredible. I'd like to have ago some day. I'd stand on a little stage with a basket in my hand. If you toss me a coin, I shall kiss your cheek and hand you a piece of poetry from my basket.

right, seeing as not much is going on right now in the life of jo (just friends, homework and random days off), i've decided to take on the challenge of the...

5000 QUESTION QUIZ THING!

it's been doing the rounds a bit so i decided it was my go. bad luck, readers

when something exciting happens i will do a proper update, but till then, expect 5000 different variations of 'what's your favourite colour'

second of all, QUIZTIME
 ____________________________________________________________________

JRR'S famous questionnaire of 50 questions that are actually 49 questions, because number 49 is skipped.
_____________________________________________________________________

1) Chocolate or Sweets?

chocolate! in moderation.

2) Apple or Milk?

milk. i love milk. moo.

3) If an army of Salamanders fought against an army of Raccoons, who would win?

raccoons. they can fight them off with their testicles. (if you have never seen pom poko, i give you permission to be afraid of that last sentence)

4) If your friend passed wind and you heard it, what would you do?

look at them quizzically, then carry on with what i was doing.

5) Digestive Biscuits or Cookies? 

COOKEH

6) Pachinko or Pinball?

pinball! so many memories

7) Whats your favourite Pokemon?

shinx. yes, shinx is gay

8) Which pokemon would you like to stick into a meat grinder?

bibarel. i hate them!

9) Your favourite nut (to eat)?

doughnut

10) If you could dye your hair any colour you want for as long as you want, what would the colour be? 

i'd like to go hot pink :D

11) If you could make a movie what would it be about?

pirates, love, music, unicorns and cheese.

12) Do you like standing in the rain?

a little.

13) Did you know that slugs have 4 noses?

i do now!

14) What would you call your pet armadillo?

trev.

15) If somebody tried to attack you with a knife and you nly had one sentence to convince him not to do it, what would you say? 

"Don't kill me, I'm cute!"

16) How many chickens live in this house?

24.

17) Which famous person (except Arnold Schwarzenegger) would you take a photograph with if you could? 

i wanted arnie :( i would love to have a photo taken with.... richey edwards. someone find him for me.

18) Which celebrity would you like to throw an egg at?

kate nash.

19) If you could rename the Magnum 44, what would you name it?

magnum 43.5

20) What would you like to make a documentary about?

llamas.

21) Are you scared of stick insects? 

no. my friend used to have a pet one.

22) What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?

vanilla.

23) Would you like Ricky Gervais to be the Prime Minister?

that would be okay!

24) Would you prefer it if Steve Merchant was the Prime Minister?

actually, i think i would. he's tall.

25) Chocolate: normal or molten? 

molten with marshmallows ;)

26) If there was a scene in a movie where a guy killed 42 assassins while dancing, what song would you play it to?

BOOGIE NIGHTS

27) Do you like snails?

yes! i used to keep them as pets.

28) Roasted marshmallows.. YO or NO?

NO (maddie, if you're reading this, do you remember when we tried to roast marshmallows??)

29) How crucial is entertainment (after JRR's famous saying: Entertainment is crucial!)? 

VERY.

30) What is the coolest currency in the world?

the pound! *hugs purse*

31) Do you know the formula for converting fahrenheit to Celsius?

no :D

32) If you could make your own festival, what would you name it?

"GLASTONJO"

33)  Have you ever had an unpleasant encounter with a cockroach (i mean really unpleasant)?

not REALLY unpleasant. unpleasant, yes. but not REALLY.

34) Chicken or Duck?

chicken!

35) Lion or Frog?

rawr.

36) BEAR!!!!

YAY!!!

37) How many time a day do you decide to walk in a certain pattern, because otherwise, walking is boring? 

more often than i should.

38) Do you wish you could play a duduk? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duduk)

YES!

39) Do you know the latin name for cockroach? 

cockus roachus? that sounds like a medical condition.

40) If someone payed for the entry, would you see a movie (EXCEPT Spiderman movies) more than once? 

HAHA yes.

41) How much do you like this song?
http://profile.myspace.com/joshtpearson

IT WOULDN'T LOAD ON MA MACHINE :( :( :( :( :(

42) Do you want to sky dive? 

YES!

43) Why not?

fooled you.

44) Do you think Magenta is a cool colour? 

personally i think it's a warm colour

45) Is this questionnaire as cool as a turtle?

personally i think it's as warm as a turtle.

it's great :D

46) Do you love eagles?

yes! they SWOOP

47) Do you like Oranges more than Peaches?

yes.

48) How many parrots would you like to have?

85.

50) Why do you think I skipped 49?

49 is your unlucky number?

thanks jonni!!

90. First off, what is your name?
Johanna.

89. What did you do last night?
Watched a Paul McCartney concert! :D
On telly. :(

88. Do you have a best friend that you can talk to 24/7?
Mm. I’m not sure if any of my friends would want me to call them at three in the morning.

87. Do you have any siblings?
My sister.

86. How many years apart is your mum and dad?
3.

85. Do you like someone?
Yes. Yes I do.

84. What does the 7th text in your inbox say?
I don’t have a mobile, but the 7th email in my inbox says:

Does this mean an A-Ha tribute band are supporting?!
x


83. Who sits beside you in math?
I don’t study maths anymore! But Steph used to sit beside me. Then Sarah did. They’re nice.

82. Where is your dad right now?
In the living room.

81. Do you burn incense?
Once :D It was hilarious.

80. Do you have a problem?
Yes. Well, some people seem to think so.

79. Who is the 5th person you got a missed call from?
No mobile.

78. Closest purple object?
My dress!

77. Closest silver object?
The key around my neck.

76. Closest yellow object?
Pack of post-its on my desk.

75. Do you sing in the shower?
Yes. Kylie. Loudly.

74. What is bugging you right now?
I’m okay right now actually.

73. How does your hair look right now?
Two pigtails at the back, two plaits at the front, fringe.

72. Do you know all the words to the Star Spangled Banner?
No.

71. When is the last time you said the pledge of allegiance?
Never.

70. If you could kill someone, who would it be?
AHAHA.

69. Do you have any fears?
Deeeeeeaaaath. And bees.

68. What do you hear right now?
My sister coming down the stairs.

67. Do you like kangaroos?
Yeah!

66. Can you roll your tongue?
Yes.

65. What are you wearing?
Purple and black dress, black trousers, heart socks.

64. Who was the last person to message you?
No mobile. But my last email was from my father, with a review of Farenheit 9/11 which I have to watch for my Media course. Yes, my father and I exchange emails even though we live under the same roof :D

63. Do you like emo kids?
Sure! They need huggles.

62. Screamo or Country?
Oosh. Country. Tough choice though.

61. Rock or Rap?
Rawk, baby. Although some rap is okay.

60. Polka or Disco?
D.I.S.C.O

59. Flying or Driving?
Flying without wings. Although sitting in the backseat of the car is lovely.

58. Who last called you?
Kate?

57. Was your Valentines day nice?
Indifferent.

56. What are you doing now?
This survey.

55. Who was the last person you said I love you to?
I really don’t know… probably my parents before I went to bed last night. Ooh dear.

54. Would you die for someone?
Depends who that someone was.

53. Would you date anyone from your work?
If I had a job, maybe.

52. Do long distance relationships work?
I have no idea.

51. Do you have any pet peeves?
Crocs, haha.

50. Do you have to pee right now?
No…

49. When did you last talk to one of your siblings?
About two hours ago.

48. What are you doing tomorrow?
School. College ;)

46. Have you ever had an ingrown toenail?
No. Hooray!

45. Do you pick your scabs?
Yes :(

44. Ever drink your blood?
I sometimes lick the blood when I cut myself.

43. Do your bandaids have cartoons on them?
No. Boo.

42. Do you bite your nails?
I bite the skin around my nails.

41. Do you wax?
No. That hurts like hell.

40. Do you or have you ever had AOL?
Nope.

39. Do you check CelebPox.com for celebrity gossip?
That sounds like a nasty disease.

38. Do you have a jar where you keep your loose change?
No.

37. Do you own a pogo stick?
I wish.

36. Ever gone a whole day without eating?
Many.

35. Do you own ripped jeans?
No. They look terrible.

34. What makes you mad?
People putting down the bands I like. I’m more likely to get angry if you diss my favourite band rather than if you diss my best friend. Yes, I did just use the word ‘diss’. Twice.

33. What would you do if you found out that you were adopted?
These kind of earth-shattering things have no effect on me.

32. Are you jealous a lot of the time?
Not a LOT of the time.

31. Do you use a calendar or day planner to schedule everything on?
I have a school planner, two organisers and three calendars which I use on a regular basis.

30. Are you OCD?
All the coathangers must face inwards.

29. Do you have ADD?
Nope.

28. Do you have low self esteem?
I used to. But I’m okay now.

27. Who can make you laugh during the hardest time?
Youtube XD um… I have some pretty good friends.

26. What was the last thing you watched on TV?
Kaiser Chiefs gig from Blackpool. Looked amazing. Then again, they always do. Then again, I am biased.

25. When was the last time you had professional pictures taken?
Oosh. When I was eleven. Oh, do school photos count? If so, last year.

24. Have you done a whitening treatment on your teeth?
No.

23. What is your favorite movie?
I finally saw the Science of Sleep! Amazing. As is Eternal Sunshine lalala. Ooh, and School of Rock. Ooh, Dogma. Ooh.

22. Who do you love?
Too many people.

20. What holiday is your birthday closest to?
Half term, if that counts :D

19. Whats your favorite drink?
Milk.

18. Do you own any big sunglasses?
No! They make people look like bugs.

17. Bed sheet color?
Blue.

16. Ever encountered a shark?
Never!

15. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?
No.

14. Have you ever bungee jumped?
Ha, no.

13. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
I went to a pub today for a ‘Christening’. Yes.

12. Whats the first thing you notice about the same sex?
EYES.

11. Is it hard to express your feelings to someone?
It can be.

10. Why are people such self-centered beings?
Why do dogs bark.

9. Are you sad?
Not really.

8. Are you happy?
Sure.

7. Favorite day of the year?
Christmas, my birthday, first day of the summer holiday.

6. Have you ever licked someones cheek?
Yes, but not in a sexual way.

5. Watched all Spiderman movies?
YEAH BABY!

4. What are you looking forward to?
Performing in music class next week, Kaisers in December.

3. Favorite Lucky Charms Marshmallow?
I have never had Lucky Charms :(

2. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
No.

1. Do you want to get married?
I don’t know. I definitely want to spend my life with someone, but I’m not sure about marriage.

it was okay.

my new form tutor is really nice. and my form is great too. we nominated my oldest friend in the world as form captain. not everyone i met on the induction day got in though. that was sad.

my first lesson was music technology. this is where you learn about producing and recording music, as well as working with computer software to make dance music. my class has four people it in! it's really nice.

then we had media studies. i got the seat i wanted, so i was happy (although the teacher said that she might move us around. typical).

we watched some clips from films and had to guess what genre they were. one of the things we shall cover in the course is blogging. hopefully i'll be okay at that ;)

then we had lunch. i had a biscuit in the shape of a llama.

after lunch it was english literature. this year i'll be studying hamlet (omelette), a streetcar named desire and return of the native. should be okay.

so that was my day really.

this makes me a little sad. last time i bring THAT album in the car.

good news is though - i passed my grade three music theory exam, hooray. pretty good seeing as i had less than a month to learn all the info and the exam hall was full of strange distractions.

i went to the llama park today. it's one of my most favouritist places in the world. it has over 150 llamas and alpacas there. my parents sit in the cafe and let me wander for an hour or so. it was my end of holiday treat. they had reindeer - they were awesome, had proper antlers and everything. they also had little baby llamas and alpacas. they were so cute :)

my parents bought me a pair of mittens with llamas on them as a going-back-to-school present. they're lovely :D

i should stop thinking of it as school. this is a sixth form college, with new people and new lessons.

i've printed off all my summer work and packed my hear'say pencil tin.

i've been in my dressing gown since 4 o clock. i'm milking this holiday.

i hope amy winehouse doesn't die.

i've only gone and managed to get tickets to another kaiser chiefs gig

honestly

how do i get myself into these situations

...

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

this is going to be the best christmas ever. a bit like they made this summer the best summer ever. and to top it all off, the cribs AND joe lean and the jing jang jong are supporting!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

English Language = A
English Literature = B
Mathematics = B (big achievement)
Science (Dual) = C
Music = A
German = A (!!!!!)
Drama = B
Graphics = B
RE = B
ICT (Short Course) = B

alright, innit?

and i know they do

please do not talk about results to me

not even 'good luck'

no meeting up arrangements

no 'how did you dos'

because i am SPAZZING OUT OF MY MIND

i love you all

very much

and i shall see you on thursday

you are welcome to talk to me about any of the following subjects:

a) beautiful pop stars

b) feather boas

c) scissor kicking

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME HURT INSIDE

I WILL TALK WHEN I WANT TO

good luck messages are welcome from my bloggy friends. you guys don't see me weep.

KTHXBAI x

i wake up at around half past seven every morning. this is because this is the time that my sister leaves her bedroom to prepare her lunch for work. her door squeaks when it opens.

i've had to reason no get up that early (if you consider half past seven early) for the past few months, so generally i lazily drift in and out of consciousness for about an hour.

this morning i woke up at quarter past eight. i heard my mother walk across the landing so i called out a rather feeble 'hellooo' and she came in. with biscuits.

she very kindly plugged in my television so i could read the music pages on teletext. even if i were dying i would still make the effort to read those pages. i make sure that no-one has died or been arrested. then my mind is at rest.

my sister has lent me a book. it's called 'brand new friend' and it's by mike gayle. she said i'd like it because i enjoyed 'high fidelity'.

i started reading at about half past eight and continued to do so till quarter past eleven. it was nothing like high fidelity but awesome all the same. soppy ending. but sometimes you need a soppy ending.

half way through the book i heard a strange noise at the dining room window. the dining room is directly below my bedroom. my first thought was that someone was trying to break in. i knew that my dad had gone for a walk but i wasn't sure if my mum was with him. i was potentially alone with a potential break-in.

we've only ever had one burglary and that was about six years ago. hopefully we'll never have one again. that was a horrible time.

i walked across the landing to my parents room. if you look out their back window you can see the dining room window. there was no burglar. however, there was my mother. cleaning the pond. what possessed my mother to clean the pond at half past nine in the morning, i have no idea. however, i was happy and went back to bed.

it was lovely being all snuggled and listening to the radio. a bit like being ill, but without the nausea and kleenex boxes. i listned to chris moyles until 10 o clock (i know i shouldn't, but i really do find him funny) and then bbc6 from then on. i listen to arrowrock in the evenings. they have a show called the vintage years. it's awesome.

when i finished the book, i got up. slammed on the manic street preachers at top volume. i am a teenager. i've been listening to them a lot in the past week. it's a pmt thing. whenever i have pmt, i develop a sniffle and an obsession with a random band. this month - the manics. sniff.

it's november. it's not august, it's november. that's why i'm wearing a wooly jumper. i'm never sure how you spell wooly. woolly?

came downstairs. checked my inbox. one from the kaiser chiefs (new single out, thanks for the reminder lads but i bought it yesterday, that's how dedicated a fan i am), one from the manic street preachers (and the pmt hormones run wild) and one from a schoolfriend who wants to meet up before we get our exam results on thursday.

i just want to get thursday over and done with as quickly as possible. i don't know whether i want to pass or fail. if i pass, i'll be able to get know all the new beautiful people and it will be two years of joy. if i fail, i'll be able to do my own thing, start doing some serious recording and get my music out. i don't know what i want.

so till then, i'm going wear my hair in bunches and my jacket loose.

i'm using a new toothpaste. it has winnie the pooh on the label and it tastes like ice cream. when you squeeze the tube, it comes out in the shape of a dragonfly.

i hate peppermint. it feels like my mouth is on fire. it's one of the worst tastes in the world. i am not going to subject my mouth to it twice a day.

that's why i use kiddiepaste. it works just as well and you get winnie the pooh wishing you good morning. and good night. but good morning sounds less creepy.

if people reply to this, it is proof that people will reply to anything. i love blogging.

x

What was the most recent Album you have bought?

'voices of animals and men' by the young knives. £6.95 from HMV. go get it now, kids

Who is your favourite Beatle?

george :)

How many CDs do you own?

roughly 200

Do you ever Download music?

very rarely. i prefer having something to hold.

Is there a record that you listen to Every day?

every day? of my LIFE? there are lots of records that i love but if i listened to them every day then i would be scared of getting bored of them. so, no.

What would your dream Festival be like?

nothing flashy, just all my favourite bands. on one stage, so no times clash.

What was the last Gig you went to?

wireless festival, yeeeaaah baby.

What song makes you Happy?

what ONE SONG? there are loads of songs that make me happy! i suppose that 'you won't see me' by the beatles is my comfort blanket. it's not a happy song, but it feels so warm.

Can you play any Instruments?

yes, i play keyboards, guitar, cowbell, egg-shaker and ocarina.

Do you Jump around at shows?

yes. probably a bit too much. but it's a good way of making new friends. and enemies!

Is there a musician/singer you would like to Kill?

you can't kill musicians! they're magical. however, i would be happy if kate nash... disappeared. and 50 cent. where is he, anyway? not that i miss him.

Do you read the Liner notes in records?

yes. always.

Have you ever Mourned the passing of a musician/singer?

yes.

What are you listening to right Now?

haha, i just put on 'you won't see me'. that other question got me in the mood for it :D

Do you like musicals (like Oklahoma)?

some are okay. i like west side story. the king and i is alright. evita's quite good. i don't understand people who rave about musicals.

Do you have an MP3 Player?

nope.

Do you like Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?

i used to love it, but i think i've heard it too many times now.

What is your favourite Radio station?

BBC6music, baby.

What was the most recent Single you have bought?

mutyamarda, song 4 mutya. TUUUUNE

Have you ever made a compilation Tape for a loved one?

yes

Did you buy Rhianna's 'Umbrella'?

i was actually very tempted in the first week it came out, but as the weeks went by i grew less and less fond of it.

What record deserves to be played at a high Volume?

hmm. kaiser chiefs. muse. c'mon, there's loads of stuff that has to be played loud!

What song makes you Weep?

oh, there are too many songs that make me cry. the last time i wept buckets was with 'everybody's gotta learn sometime' (beck's version). i was putting it on said compilation tape for said loved one.

Do you like rap music (like Xzibit)?

you really had no idea what to ask for X, did you? some rap is okay. if it has a good beat then i don't mind it now and again.

Do you still like the bands you did ten Years ago?

ten years ago. i liked the spice girls and had a crush on damon from blur. so yeah, nothing much has changed.

Do you know any Zodiac signs of musicians/singers off the top of your head?

birthdays, yes. zodiac signs? i'm useless at those!

decided it was time for a change. that's why everything looks a bit screwed, and i seem to have been 'blank' for the past few months.

all will be sorted soon, dear readers

xx

this is the first time ever that we've had two holidays in one year. it was also the first time that i've been to norfolk without my sister. she couldn't get time off work. it felt strange writing a postcard to her.

on the first day, there was cambridge

before we got to the cottage we were staying in, we stopped off in cambridge for a couple of hours. we went round the shops and looked at kings. it was really lovely. we watched the people going punting, but didn't have a go because of my fear of boats without cabins.

we got to the cottage at about tea-time. it was a converted stable, really small but really lovely. we unpacked and relaxed for a bit, and then we went to cromer.

we tend to always go to cromer on the first night to book tickets for the end of the pier show (wahey!). it was a really good night as the weather was perfect. i saw my first ever sunset. it was amazing.

on the second day, there were crocs

we started the day by nipping into holt. this was a very brief visit, but i did buy a very snazzy waitcoat. yeah, baby.

then we went to a place called pensthorpe. it was like a bird park. it was so great! we walked through forests and gardens and looked at all the different birds. we saw ducklings on a little stream. they were adorable!

we had a picnic at pensthorpe then we headed to hunstanton. i love hunstanton. i actually have a t-shirt to prove it. we looked round the gift shops (they had some kaiser chiefs keyrings and badges in one of them so i had fun in there). i also got a magnet with some cheese on it. alex james would be proud.

then we went for a walk along the beach. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PAIRS OF CROCS IN MY LIFE. i apologise if you like crocs, or even own a pair of them, but they are the most HIDEOUS shoes in the WORLD. it's not very often that i have real issues with a fashion, but UGH.

then we went to walsingham. it's very godly there. there's a big chapel. somebody thought i was my dad's wife.

on the third day, there was roys (ROYS!)

day three would be one of my favourite days. in the morning, we went to wroxham. i love wroxham. really really really. i know my way around wroxham better than i know my way around my hometown. FACT. we went to roys (ROYS!) and i bought the second franz ferdinand album. everyone said that was when they turned bad but i thought it was when they turned good. i'm not really the biggest franz fan but it was £2.99 and it had elanor put your boots on and i love that.

then we went to the other roys (ROYS!) where i looked at clothes and read the NME. i'm boycotting the NME ever since it put kate nash and jack penate on the cover. in jo world, boycotting means that you can read in the shop but you can't buy it.

then i went to roys (ROYS!) toys and played with the dollies and contemplated buying a handbag in the shape of a poodle.

we had lunch by the river and watched people smashing their boats into the bridge.

next, we went to potter heigham. lathams! tat city! yaay! that was fun. i have never seen so many anchorman videos in one place.

the last place we went to was great yarmouth. i LOVE it there. it's so gloriously tacky. we went down the highstreet. there was a china shop. that was great. it sold proper kimonos and everything. then we went to a music merchandise shop and i got the most hilariously gay kaiser chiefs mug ever. love love love love love.

then we had fish and chips. yummy.

after that we went to see broadland fm do a show by the sand. that was great. they played music and gave out stickers to cute kids. i wanted a sticker. i asked the guy if i was cute enough for a sticker. he said i was. i was happy.

then we watched the fireworks on the beach. they were great!

on the fourth day, there was no wells

i hate wells. i have issues with it. we drove through it but couldn't find a parking space. every time our car slowed down i felt myself tensing up.

we went to holkham. i saw deer. i'll post the photos soon.

in the evening, we went to the cromer show. it's tacky, it's terrific. i loved it. there was music and dancing and a ventriloquist who was superb. one of the best shows i've seen there.

on the fifth day, there was a mad dash through primark

we couldn't leave the cottage till we had seen status quo and super furry animals on telly. so once they were done, we packed our stuff and got into the car. then we went to norwich.

hmv had a import of 'lap of honour', a kaiser chiefs record that was only released in japan. so i got that

then i went on a quest to find a blue skirt. my method of shopping is to get in and out as quickly as possible. this way, you can get half an hours shopping done in about seven minutes. ziiiiiiiiiiip. didn't find one.

then it was the long drive home.

the loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong

driiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive

hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooome.

we got stuck in traffic, and got home two hours later than expected. could've been worse.

and that was my trip to norfolk.

i went to oxford this week. for three days. it was hell getting up there, the M25 was blocked and it took ages to get through. however, once we were out of there we had a smooth ride for the rest of the journey.

reached the park and ride to get to stradtford at around half ten. got the bus, and began our little tour of shakespearean houses. they were really pretty - anne hathaway's was my favourite, wouldn't mind living there myself.

that's basically what we spent the first day doing. there's a christmas shop opposite shakespeare's birthplace. open all year round.

then it was time to find the hotel. we followed the directions aa had given us to the letter. eventually, we arrived at a hotel, but it was a 'days inn' as oppoosed to a travelodge where we were supposed to be. we sat in the car park for a moment to get our heads together. father went in to enquire where we were. as the rest of us sat in the car park, we watched as no less than 150 armed policemen entered the car park. then two tibetan monks, fully robed in orange and red, came and stood next to our car.

as we left the car park to get to our hotel, we saw a police helicopter fly over our heads.

it turned out that our hotel was on the other side of oxford. so we had a long drive. we got there eventually though. we had written a letter some weeks before asking for two rooms next to each other, as this was my first experience in a hotel by myself. however, the rooms they had given us were on separate floors. in the end, they gave us two disabled rooms which were opposite each other. "they do have bigger bathrooms though. is that alright?" they said.

went to my room. after a few minutes, father came and knocked on my door. turned out that i'd left the key in the keyhole so anyone could have got in

first night was lovely. my room was next to a courtyard so it was nice and quiet. i unpacked my stuff, watched a repeat of have i got news for you and then fell asleep listening to pulp.

woke up at half seven next morning. spent the first half of the day doing family history stuff - looking at churches, graves. visited on of the university houses, which was pretty impressive.

the afternoon was shopping time! bought rogue traders/pop levi/menswear. only realised when it was too late that the shop i was in was selling the grey album. i nearly died. lovely little shop. proper little indie store.

then we got the bus back home. was sat opposite a guy in a bright pink suit. i always fall in love with people on public transport.

went back to the hotel. was tired. got a bit too emotional whilst watching 'guarding the queen'. had a bath. sleep.

next morning would be our last in oxford. packed my suitcase. we went to blenhiem palace. very pretty. very over the top. first time i've ever been defeated by a maze.

next was islip. checked out a church for family history. had a ice cream. then it was time to go home.

journey home was much better than the one up. smooth ride all the way.

got home.