> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.novaugust.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# English Towns
- URL: https://blog.novaugust.net/english-towns/
- Published: 2014-05-17T15:59:31.000Z
- Updated: 2020-12-20T16:07:37.000Z
- Author: Matt Enlow
- Tags: Adventures, post, England, Europe, Europe 2013, london, oxford, Photo Journal, Reading, #Import 2026-06-21 14:43

So, after our weekend in the [rain](https://blog.novaugust.net/england-lakes-district/ "England, Lakes District") and [mountains](https://blog.novaugust.net/england-peaks-district/ "England, Peaks District"), we went back to civilization and spent a few days between Reading, London, and Oxford while we built strength for our next expedition.

Over this time, Alyssa reunited with old friends of hers (particularly in Oxford), and I saw my last man-from-Japan Nori. There were many good meals, plenty of walking and train rides, and silly sights all around.

[![22-IMG_8864](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/22-IMG_8864-700x525.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/22-IMG%5F8864.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/22-IMG%5F8864.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net) Lys and Ryan in Ryan's backyard in Reading after a nummer

## Oxford

Alyssa and I were in line for cookies behind the Queen of England herself.

She had the snickerdoodles.

[![27-20130821_152423](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/27-20130821_152423-700x525.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/27-20130821%5F152423.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/27-20130821%5F152423.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net) The fallout of a terrible Sharknado in Oxford

[![28-20130821_154624](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/28-20130821_154624-700x328.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/28-20130821%5F154624.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/28-20130821%5F154624.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net) The spires of Oxford from afar

We rented bikes for the day, and in the evening traded them out for a boat, a rugby friend, and a rod (after getting lost in the "It's right there! We can see it! Why can't we get to it?!" fashion). I got to try my hand at punting, and we're not talking about ballsports here. I pushed us up the river to a well placed pub, and we did what you do at these places.

Alyssa pushed us back home in the night, and I was rude with the flash.

[![31-20130821_205307](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/31-20130821_205307-605x600.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/31-20130821%5F205307.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

In my mind, she was singing Italian songs from the turn of the 19th century, and her jacket was striped red and white.

## London

It was like this.

[![20130820_171853-MOTION](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20130820_171853-MOTION.gif)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20130820%5F171853-MOTION.gif?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[![These were consumed.](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20130820_125642-700x525.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20130820%5F125642.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20130820%5F125642.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net) These were consumed.

[![23-20130820_125838](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/23-20130820_125838.jpg)](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/23-20130820%5F125838.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net)

[](http://www.novaugust.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/23-20130820%5F125838.jpg?ref=blog.novaugust.net) These were the consumers