It feels like we've been here much longer than four days. Perhaps in part because the familiarities of living in the UK before are coming back to me and also because we have had very full days trying to get as settled in as possible before Alex started his study routine today.

We have done lots of exploring of our immediate neighbourhood by foot and on bus over the past few days and are in a fantastic location. It's located a mile or so from the city centre. Also a mile from both the church we'll attend and the family we know who live here.

The weather has been AMAZING to the extent of actually wanting it to cool down a bit! A week or two ago Oxford had highs of 11-14 degrees C but since we've been here it's been in the low-mid 20's. Apparently this is a bit of a blip and it will get cooler again. I hope so as I don't want to have packed all these merino tops and vests in vain!

The semi-detached Victorian house has a lovely, large (by UK standards) rear garden that backs onto the Oxford canal. On the other side is a path that goes for miles and miles. Over one more street is the expansive Port Meadow, an area of common land with pastures, walking paths and canals running through it.

We love the period features of the house, complete with original and still functioning Victorian W.C! Although, we choose the more modern options. While the four stories and narrow configuration of the house are a novelty at the moment, legs are certainly going to get stronger living here!

Today marks day one of Alex's 8 week study period. He'll be based at the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life where he will undertake some self-directed study around Public Leadership. Being in Oxford will provide him with the opportunity to meet with lots of people who think about this kind of thing and to do reading and thinking about this topic himself.

The kids and I hope to work out our daily routine this week and with all of the amazing, educationally rich places to visit here, it will be no small task fitting them all in. Today we visited the Museum of Natural History which was fantastic. All of the main museums are free and very interactive and kid friendly so will be visiting them lots!

Photo- something dear to our hearts. Expressions changed somewhat once pain au chocolate came out with the best flat white I've had in years!