Surreal Walk
I had a very surreal walk home on Saturday night. The strange thing about Oxford is that although a lot of it is built up and city-like, there are in between bits that are complete country. Lots of parks and small paths.
So, we left Luke’s friend’s house at 1 oclock in the morning, and we COULD have taken the normal, well-lit way home, except Luke’s friend Ollie, who lives near me, wanted to take a “short-cut.” A short-cut through the woods, with only the stars to guide our way. At first it was pretty cool - we saw foxes and even a badger in the first leg of the journey. But then we came out further than we’d intended to be, and Ollie led us through another series of “short-cuts.” These were not wooded paths, but narrow bike lanes with brick walls on either side and low hanging trees above. I felt like I was in some Other World. It was pitch black because the trees blocked out the stars. Luke made me walk in front of him, and I could tell he was scared, too. Ollie led on without fear, and suddenly we popped out onto a familiar street.
Then we were accompanied by a black and white cat for the rest of our journey and even came in the house. I don’t think he was very happy when I popped him back outside in the cold. But he was good company - I’m going to pretend he was an Animagus.
I love that in Oxford, even if it’s a bit scary, there’s room for adventure and a bit of magic late at night.
So, we left Luke’s friend’s house at 1 oclock in the morning, and we COULD have taken the normal, well-lit way home, except Luke’s friend Ollie, who lives near me, wanted to take a “short-cut.” A short-cut through the woods, with only the stars to guide our way. At first it was pretty cool - we saw foxes and even a badger in the first leg of the journey. But then we came out further than we’d intended to be, and Ollie led us through another series of “short-cuts.” These were not wooded paths, but narrow bike lanes with brick walls on either side and low hanging trees above. I felt like I was in some Other World. It was pitch black because the trees blocked out the stars. Luke made me walk in front of him, and I could tell he was scared, too. Ollie led on without fear, and suddenly we popped out onto a familiar street.
Then we were accompanied by a black and white cat for the rest of our journey and even came in the house. I don’t think he was very happy when I popped him back outside in the cold. But he was good company - I’m going to pretend he was an Animagus.
I love that in Oxford, even if it’s a bit scary, there’s room for adventure and a bit of magic late at night.