June

We brought Jay back from Lady Margaret Hall for the last time on Friday 4, leaving just a few of her effects to be collected the following week.

The college chapel Last view of Jay in the main quad Dealing with the rubbish

Jay, of course, was glad to be back to see her pony, and, although Clyde is now out to grass, Jay has been riding some of the stable ponies, not only hacking out, but preparing a couple of them for a local dressage competition.

Jay about to school the ponies

On Saturday 5 we took Jay to a quiz in Wormington, to which we had been invited by a bowling friend. As with similar quizzes in the past, we managed to win. We were happy for our friends to take the wine from the prize so that Jay could have the chocolates.

On Monday 14, Helen visited for a few days, mainly so that we could see the touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was at the New Theatre in Oxford for the week. We have seen this production several times before over the years, but it continues to be a favourite. Although a matinee, the cast gave excellent value for money, including many reprises and encores. Jay was particularly taken by the Joseph, who was actually an understudy. And, unique among the productions we have seen, the Pharoah’s number (an Elvis Presley take-off) came over really strongly. A show well worth seeing. Incidentally, our Rover having developed a mysterious whistle on a previous trip to Oxford, we decided to make the journey in little Fizzy, a Fiat 600, a degree of intimacy we shall not be rushing to repeat.

On Friday 18, Jay went to Oxford yesterday for a get together with her fellow biologists in the Zoology Department, as they waited for the Final Examination class lists to be posted. A day of huge tension, obviously – what if one absolutely ploughed in front of all those people? Happily, Jay and her friend from St John’s both got the First they had been hoping for. Well done Jay, and all those other clever people. Jay can feel particularly proud, as having also taken a first in Mods, she is now a Double First!

Roger’s bowling was particularly busy during the month, though an early exit from some of the competitions reduced the load. On Friday 25, he organised the play for an evening roll-up, mainly aimed at fund-raising, which was blessed by warm sunny weather, and a sumptuous spread provided by two lady members.

The following day Teresa hosted the annual visit by Mike and his mother, and produced her usual excellent meal – main course fillet steak – with various fish starters and home made sweets.

On the same day, as a treat for her success in Finals, Helen had invited Jay to Kew Gardens for the day.

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