“Outside of Doors"
Perhaps one of the best and most unique elements of living in Oxford is the amount of time we spend “outside of doors” (as they occasionally put it). Even as people from the Pacific Northwest, who as a demographic consider ourselves outdoorsy people, living in a European city far outdoes any previous pride we might have carried for going outside on the weekends back home.
Here’s what a normal day in our life looks like:
Around 7:30 we have breakfast together with either coffee or tea (because: when in England!)
After Elliot leaves for college, Emmaus and I have quiet time where we read our bibles.
Then we tidy up and get ready for the day.
Next, out the door we go. Our destinations might include the grocery store, the park to feed the ducks, the swings, or all of the above!
Everywhere we go is on foot. Elliot likes to say, the “buggy” (stroller) is the Oxford SUV. And it’s true! We’re always bundled up and ready for any kind of weather or adventure.
I’m a part of two Bible-studies that have “crèche” (play group for Emmaus) every week. One at our church, St. Aldates, and one at Wycliffe, Elliot’s college. Emmaus really looks forward to these times, playing with kids and I certainly have found it deeply life giving.
Then a little after noon we’re back home for nap time. I try to get all the household chores done so I can just have a little chill time watching Endeavor (filmed in Oxford, set in the 1960’s, and I highly recommend.) It’s a must to have a few “biscuits” close by for a little munching of course.
When Emmaus wakes up we will play in the garden and get some good exercise in, followed by prepping for dinner. Emmaus absolutely loves to “cook cook cook” and “wash!” the dishes. No complaints there!
At 5pm, Elliot makes the walk home in just a few minutes. Our evenings are usually spent at home and enjoying this precious time together. We seem to have the grandparents on FaceTime rotations so we’re always checking in with someone, reporting on the latest “I can’t believe this just happened” moment or hearing the same from the other side of the pond.
Living abroad is certainly not a leisurely thing to up and do as there are many obstacles to be overcome in the process, logistically, legally, physically etc. But, the simplicity of life here is such a breath of fresh air. That familiar hurrying, anxious feeling of running from one thing to the next, is something I have found totally absent here in our Oxford world. The pace is slower, the conversations are so genuine and slowly, but surely, now a year and some change later, we’re finding our stride.