One of the joys of going home is that I get freshly brewed filter coffee. Proper coffee, the good stuff, call it what you will - it's fantastic. At Oxford, my choice is rather more limited. There are plenty of coffee shops in the city; we host three Starbucks, two Neros and one apiece of Costa and Coffee Republic, as well as all the smaller bars and coffee shops. However, it's only Starbucks that do filter coffee. In fact, Nero does the better latte, but it's Starbucks that you go for the straight stuff. This has, however, thrown up two problems. First, a regular coffee habit at Starbucks, even if you're only having filter coffee, which is one of their cheaper products, can add up if you're a regular drinker. Second, for the last two months, the choice at Starbucks has stunk. They typically offer two blends, a current favourite, and the Fairtrade option. The Fairtrade option, whatever you think of the ethical value, is a mediocre choice. It's not offensive, slightly perky and not too heavy. But it's hardly setting the tastebuds alight. The current favourite is usually the better choice. Unfortunately, even though it's January, Starbucks continue to offer their Christmas blend. I think I may have mentioned it on here before, but that doesn't mean I can't repeat myself. Their Christmas blend is just awful, like drinking mud. And for crying out loud, Christmas is over. I used to like the firm's enthusiasm for Christmas, which they get into from the very beginning of December (because "It only happens once a year!") but clearly they have to do something if they want me to come back. You see, yesterday I went to Debenhams and bought a half price cafetiere and some half price mugs to go with it. And then I went to Sainsbury's to buy some very good coffee. Now I can make my own! My first attempts were delicious made more so when I enjoyed the virtue of saving money from Starbucks. Of course, I'll still patronise their establishments; where else other than the Starbucks in Borders can you sit and drink in comfort while perusing Sports Illustrated and Private Eye for free? Otherwise, though, all hail the cafetiere of savings and caffeine addiction.

Now, I hope that our many readers have enjoyed the new site. What's that I hear you say? It still looks the same? Well, it doesn't. Half the apostrophes and other symbols are all mucked up, and I'm still not sure why. Basically, we've upgraded to MT 3.2, and Ollie will be soon fine tuning some of the templates. There aren't many front side changes, but we've finally got a way to deal with all the comment spam and trackbacks we get. Even if it isn't working properly, it is a start.

I'm sure Ollie and Amy will post separately - no doubt from the bus back to London with Ollie's laptop - but I will mention that we just enjoyed a delicious meal in the Mitre here at Oxford, and generally humiliated each other. I won the award for most crimson person, while Amy was laughed at by the waiter, which is a new (or should that be knew?) one on us. Ollie came off rather lightly, drastic haircut aside, and was a very generous man indeed. Certainly that should make him more attractive to women than grabbing the wine list and dropping his voice an octave.

It's 0th Week again. Bugger. That went by quickly.