Oxford in pictures

For those who have never been to Oxford, and so don't have any idea of what it looks like...

Day 1 in my new house-ours is the door to the right, and one of my rooms is directly above the door. We are at the bottom of a quiet little street, with a river flowing just to the left of the pic-really nice, central location...

Radcliffe camera (part of Bodleian Library)-It is the second largest library in UK and is permitted to a copy of every published book in the UK.

Eagle and Child pub-Started in 1650, this pub was where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and others used to go every Tuesday for some ales to discuss their works... Top choice for a steak pie and beer!

River-part of Christ Church College meadows-beautiful scenery-nice place for running,

Roger Bannister-ran the sub 4 minute mile at Iffley Sports ground-original stop watch on show outsidet the gym there...

Freshers week

Freshers week is the introductory week for first years into the university system-it mainly comprises of lots of partying, drinking, sussing out new ladies etc. As overrated as I feel it is, I do enjoy it because it is a chance to catch up with friends, party excessively, and still find time during the day to settle in to new houses, meet with tutors (though blearly faced), organize module programmes etc. When lectures actually start, you've got most of the rubbish out of the system and can really get down and focus.

I have decided to quit rowing this year-I ummd and arrd about it over the summer, but still trained to do it, then decided the other day against it. I felt I am too small for it (even 6ft as I am) and found that it took a huge amount of time out of my week, and it is not the sport you derive any pleasure out of when doing socially-it is one of those committments where you are either in or you're out... I joined rugby league and really enjoying it so far-it is far more laid back (only a couple of training sessions per week) and seems much more social-some of the war cries are hilarious-too explicit to publish on a blog though...

Some wise words from John Kay (I have been reading some of his books lately) who studied and lectures at Oxford...

From 'the truth about markets'

Much economic theory is based on perceptions that humans are 'self regarding species'. However, Kay says,

''It is not true that profit is the purpose of a market economy, and the production of goods and services is a means to it: the purpose is the proeduction of goosa and services, profit the means. The happiest people are not those who single-mindedly pursue happiness; the most profitable companies are not the most profit-oriented...The song and flight of birds displays a beauty and efficiency of design which waas not part of the intenthion of the birds... Sometimes we understand best when we don't try too hard to understand""

I think too much we are fixated on achieving something specific, and wander why it doesn't happen. Perhaps best to do what you enjoy doing, and with a bit of luck, good things will emerge...

Last few days in sunny Africa

In Otto Christian Rawson's words in 1901...

''There is no bettere climate in the world than in Rhodesia from July to November. The green grass begins to grow, in spite of the lack of rain, as soon as the cold weather and frosts are over in early August-and to see the cattle grazing contantedly and coming home full as the sun goes down like a great red ball in a clear sky, gives one a wonderful sense of happiness, and peace...''

How things change-in 1901, Harare was at this time ''a very small place with few buldings. Pioneer Street waas the only street in the town with Manica road showing a few buildings''. Rawson was English/German and was one of the first white settlers in Zimbabwe, (then Rhodesia) and was the major driver of agriculture in the Trelawney/Darwendale area where we lived. Our family owns a large piece of land on Manica Road which used to be central Salisbury (Harare) but is now little more than some rundown shops.

He says that Avondale and Mount Pleasant (suburbs in Harare) were favourite resorts on Sundays for shooting small buck and birds. He would never have believed what has come of Harare now!

He was right about the Zimbabwe climate-we had a fiercely cold winter this year, but the last few weeks have been great with long, hot, dusty summer days. When I get back to Oxford, the change will be immense, with autumn drawing to a close, and the short, cold days.

I feel I have done what I planned to do and gained much useful experience for the future. I saw 'Prime Circle' on Friday night, a South African band, and bumped into a Scottish acquaintance whom I had met at a pub in university over a year ago... What a small world...

The last few weeks, I have spent shooting on beautiful farms, going for a scull on the serene and peaceful Mazowe dam, playing the odd round of golf on world class golf courses, and getting drunk over poker games with friends. I don't think I realise how lucky I am to have Zimbabwe as my homeland. It is somethig that I really miss when in England, and really appreciate when back in the country. The political situation is terrible, but economically, it is picking up, and no doubt that when things turn round here, the change will be enormous. Already, loads of people that previously left, are starting to flock back. Personally, I want to take advantage of my UK ecucation, get some cutting edge work experience in London for a few years, and then settle down in Africa, having found a career that I want to pursue. I am thinking along the lines of business consultancy.

I took part in the Tom Soper mountain bike ride yesterday, fell off and grazed my knee/elbow-stupidly tried to go down the technical hill. Tom was paralysed, neck down, when hit by another car whilst going through an intersection. The walk attracted 862 participants which is incredible, seeing as there are only 10000 whites in the country.

Watching a programme on how Lehman Bank went bust at the moment; need to start getting things together for my flight on Wednesday.