"Ahh!!! Tree!!! Turn! Turn!! Turn!!!"

Monday we had our first class sessions and I am really excited about my course. I'm taking the "Crime and Punishment" course, which is an in depth comparison of the British and American legal systems and covers a very wide range of subjects from child delinquents to the death penalty. My "tutor"'s name is Catherine Appleton and despite being fairly young, really knows her stuff!

Classes start at 9 am and run until 1030, when we have our tea, coffee, and "biscuits". At 11 we return to class for another hour and then finish up at noon. During our tea break, our program director makes any announcements, such as excursions for that day or other news.

We had two planned events on monday. One was a very short tour of the library, designed to orient us to the system here.

The other was... "punting".

This is where the quote at the top of the page comes in to play...

We were terrible.

Punting involves a very shallow, wide boat where four people sit and one pushes the boat along with an eight foot pole. Oh and they are also expected to steer with said pole.

I had a really great time and even though we weren't very good it was just nice to float down the river and enjoy hanging out together.

Apparenly we looked like we needed help since a boat of young Brits came along side and pulled us for a few meters! After we got back to the boat dock, they invited us out for drinks (mind you this it around 3 pm... ridiculous!) and I think its safe to say my answer to their invite has made me no doubt the coolest person in England:

"Sorry, we're going to the library!" (which was completely true and legitimate since we had our library tour at 4:45!)

Here are some pictures of our adventure! (notice in the first picture, Bryony - in red - looking very worried. She is a program aid and a fairly adept punter... hence her worry having Sam at the helm!)

Apparently, we appeared in need of a daring rescue...
Enter helpful young Brits! Our knights (and maiden?) on shining... punt? (well, this didn't work too well did it?)
I'm the coolest punter EVER. And I managed to hit a very small number of objects!

Lauren and Sam along for the ride
Katie and Caitie (we think its HILARIOUS to take pictures together because of our names... )
The punts await ominously... (note the name of the middle punt, "Debbie". Perhaps a sign?)