Croquet Champs

So guess what I did today? Played croquet :)

We played on the lawn in front of New Building (for the only two things you can do on the lawn are sit and play croquet) and the rain held off just long enough for us to enjoy a quick match before champagne in the cloisters, lecture, and high table.

It was so much fun! I’d never played before, and while the game felt a bit like miniature golf, the Oxford setting made it much more dignified. (Note to self: remember to bring parasol on my next trip to Oxford.) With everyone dressed in their formal attire—the gals in their dresses and the guys in their khakis and sports jackets—it felt like I was at a British Augusta National.

Luckily, my putting skills came in handy & while I’m not ready for the LOCA (Ladies Pro Croquet Association), my game was definitely better than some of the boys.’ (Props to my dad for my mad golf/croquet skills.)

(As a golf side note, I’ve met a friend who offered—multiple times—to take me to Augusta in the Spring(!), and while it’s still more than half a year away, it’s still a more-than-exciting prospect for the present….)

Regardless, I had a lovely evening playing croquet with my new friends on the lawns at Oxford.

"Nothing quite as exhilarating as a match of croquet
followed by champagne, eh good chap?"

On a completely different note, I have an amazing new fun fact to tell! Yesterday after the race, I was chilled to the bone, so I decided to stop in for a “cuppa” at the Twinings store on Fleet Street. (They have an open tea bar, where you can try any one of their tea varietiesl I sipped a strawberry mango tea…mmm!) According to Julie (she always seems to know the coolest tid-bits of info!), the tea for the Boston Tea Party was shipped from that very store!!!

:O

I know, right? Wish I had Red Sox shirt with me…THAT would be a picture! I didn’t buy any tea at the store when I was there, so I need to go back the next time I’m in London for some souvenir tea!

Thus, it was a very regal 24 hours, between Twinings tea, croquet on the lawn, champagne in the cloisters, and high table dinner.

Twinings Tea Shop on Fleet Street