The Tithe Barn...

...In Great Coxwell village is the sole surviving part of a thriving 13th-century grange. William Morris, who regularly brought visitors to be impressed by it, apparently said it was 'unapproachable in its dignity'.

We were the only visitors on this cold and wet day who were drawn to it (over lunch time anyway). It is owned by the National Trust, who have done a grand job in restoring it. 13th Century? That takes some imagining. The guide book says there would have been a windmill, a pig farm and a dairy herd.

The Barn was a bonus for us; we were seeking our thrills in the village venues of Oxford Art Weeks.

Himself is still not smiling... Don't talk to me about the availability of dentists over the weekends! (Which in our area, it would seem, begin at 1pm on Fridays. Hmm. Perhaps they can earn enough by working only four and a half days a week?)