Hen Do in Oxford

So I had the opportunity to go to Angela's Hen Do, bachelorette party, this past weekend in Oxford. While there, I thought I would take some 'me time' and explore the university town. I thought this was a great idea especially since I had just watched Oxford take away the Boat Race trophy from Cambridge yet again this year a few weeks back. That race has been going on for over 150 years and the whole town of London watches it, even though it was raining along the Thames. But enough about the muscles, encouragement, and pouring champagne of the boat race . . . . lets get to the muscles, encouragement, and pouring champagne that was the Hen Do.

I arrived in Oxford at about 12:30 and decided to take the Hop On/Hop Off bus. Took the Oxford Castle tour, walked around the cute college town, and gazed at some of the many colleges around the town that make up the campus. Oxford in itself is not really like a US campus. You can have classes on one side of the city in the morning at one college and then have to walk across town to attend your next class. Over the several hundred years that this university has been around the colleges have popped up all over the ever expanding city. The town is a patchwork combination of school and city. I also got to walk around Christ Church garden but could not go inside unfortunately, someone had the audacity to get married the day that I came to visit. I know, I know, how dare they spoil my fun! ;-) Just kidding. After that I decided to meet up with the girls around the agreed upon time, 4-5pm

Sarah and Laura, Angela's close friends, planned a river barge cruise along the Oxford Canal. There were twelve of us on this narrow, 63 ft long boat. Yep, 12 women. But before I could even get on the boat the girls had to come to me in a little town 20 minutes North by taxi, called Thrupp. I called to let everyone know that I was there and unfortunately discovered that due to a combination of people arriving late, leaving late, and learning how to drive the darn thing, they wouldn't be there for about 3 hours. Yep, 4, 5, 6, and 7 pm rolled around as I sat in the only pub that was open and made friends with the locals. I was fortunate that they were so friendly, but was still upset at the lack of a courtesy phone call to warn me of the ladies tardiness. Still not completely over that, but am trying. No really I am.

Finally, everyone arrived and we had a nice dinner together. I continued to remind myself that this was about Angela so did not really show or make a big deal about my waiting. It was not the time or place for it. But then I found out, fortunately no one else was around, that even though I was one of the first to pay, I was going to have to share a bed with someone I didn't know because I was one of the last to arrive. Fortunately, Natalie, who is an angel, took my spot and switched with me when she saw how visually and verbally upset I was. Thank you Natalie, you are so wonderful and I owe you big. Still, the rocking and tiny bottom bunk took some getting use to and I did not sleep well. But let me tell you, the English have it right, a few cups of tea can cure anything, as I discovered the next morning!

The next day we had a nice day puttering up the canal, opening locks, going down locks, opening bridges, eating and drinking. Finally we stopped for a picnic at a park, having puttered down back to Oxford, and Laura, Angela's dearest friend, made the best spread I have seen in a long time. We are talking caprese on a stick, cheese plate, peri peri chicken, homemade sausage rolls, quiches, two salads, and various meat and cheeses. There was more but I can't remember it all. Sooooooo much food and wine! Then we decided to all get ready to go to a club. Not an easy thing to do with 12 girls on a boat with two showers. Some of us had to forfeit our use of hot water for the bride and bridesmaids. Yep . . . I am sure we all smelled great at the club.

The club we went to was nice, typical club. In fact I was surprised at how similar it was to any American club I have been in. You have your wristbands, stamps, usual pretty boys, usual tramps, and flashy bartenders. It was all so reminiscent of when I was a lot younger. Made me feel old that I started to get tired very early in the night and fought to stay awake. It didn't help that the DJ was the worst DJ ever . . . . . he started off by playing a lot of no-name 90's kiss FM kind of R and B, not Usher and Alicia, I am talking about those cheesy songs like Spring Love. You know what I am talking about people. He then proceeded to play What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love! I think most of you would say that what the world needed at that moment, or at least that DANCE club needed, was a new DJ. He proceeded to insult Sarah by refusing to take requests but once the bar filled up, he did improve, thank the LORD!

Angela I think also was very tired but she was doing her best to fight it. Brave Hen! Finally, after many dances, some on top of tables, (not me mom, not me I swear! Haven't done that in years . . . I mean ever! EVER mom really!) we headed back to the boat in cabs. Unfortunately for us, a Stag Do, Bachelor Party, decided to moor next to us. Most of us, in fact all but two, were taken ladies but that didn't stop them. They somehow broke into the back of the barge and had one of their buddies walk from back to front, naked from the waist down. Fortunately I was already half asleep in my pajamas and therefore did not fully see ALL that the young man had to offer. He passed by my lower bunk without a word and I thought it was all a bad dream . . . . until I heard the screams from the front of the boat and compliments on well, his bravery.

Anyway, woke up the next morning, after sleeping about 6 hours, and heard Viv getting organised across from me. I decided that was a wise choice and got dressed myself. Was tempted to take a shower but considering the motor had been off for several hours, figured the water would be no where near to warm. I put all my stuff away for convenience and waited for the boat to start. The travel plan was to sail back up to Heyford, above the town of Thrupp, and return the boat there. I had two choices, take the bus 59 back from somewhere along the route later in the day to catch my train, or take a taxi. After arriving in a taxi on Friday and paying 18 pounds for the ride, I decided the bus was a better, cheaper option. I also had received an offer to be picked up by one of Angela's friends who stayed in a Bed and Breakfast rather than the boat but she cancelled on me that morning by text. I was seriously considering the bus and looking forward to sitting out in the sun another day, despite my dirtiness, when Penny came up and asked me if I was leaving right then and there. I said no and stated my plan of taking a bus later on in the day. She informed me that there were no buses running on Sunday North of Oxford. As if to make things worse, the boat had started up and Sarah was steering the boat into the middle of the canal. Miranda offered to drive me back later on, about 5 but my train left at 3:30. I made a split decision in my tired, dirty state and literally 'jumped ship' with Penny and another girl Holly. I felt bad for my hurried departure and tried to explain as fast as I could as I was running off the boat. I hope it is clear to everyone involved why I left so quickly.

After that Holly, Penny and I walked to Oxford Train Station and talked all along the way. What great friends Angela has. I can't wait to hang out with everyone at the wedding. I was planning on following my original seat reservation time of 3:30 for the train trip back to London, but was talked into traveling back earlier with Penny, actually it didn't take much in my sticky, sleepy state. Holly made her way back to Bristol and I made it home 6 hours ahead of schedule.

Overall, I had a good time. I really enjoyed the trip, the people, and the whole experience. But I already told John that for my Hen Do it will be a day in the Spa and a night in a nice hotel. EVERYONE will get their own bed and only have to share a shower with one person. How does that sound ladies?