Hot summer BBQ in Oxford

25Jun10

As the grey clouds sailed in, covering the scorching sun that had just minutes earlier filled everyone with hope of a proper summer, the student shivered and thought to herself: wouldn’t it be typical if it rained, today of all days. For today was the day of the lab barbeque, a chance to get to know the others in a more relaxed atmosphere. The student got on her bike to make her way to the boss’s house, full of anticipation and crossed fingers, hoping for the clouds to sail away again. As she reached Thomas’s house in North Oxford, it would seem that her hopes for the sunshine to return had been answered, for the sun had put is hat and had without a doubt come out to play for a good few hours. Although, being a scientist, she thought to herself that this was probably just coincidence and not a direct result of her finger crossing. A full spread of barbequed meats and vegetables was waiting for her on arrival, with luscious accompaniments such as Caesar salad, tsatsiki and herb coated potatoes. While the lab children played around her, and the others chatted, she tucked into the feast laid out before her and sipped at her pink sparkly. When she had eaten her fill from the barbeque, a giant platter of strawberries and cream appeared and disappeared almost as quickly. The student and her colleagues sat in short sleeves all evening conversing and giggling. When it began to get chilly, the boss lit a fire and they sat around it singing, juggling and telling stories. As the student cycled home, she contentedly thought to herself how fortunate she was to have found this place in the world. A place where she could do great Science, while at the same time enjoy the company of her new found friends