Monday

Woke up this morning to find Mum had washed my Converse – what an idiot. Was in the garden till midday scuffing them up again. Just to make things worse, I’d run out of Vo5 Bedhead styling wax. Couldn’t decide what to wear but then found Dad’s old dinner jacket and bow-tie. Combined it with my Quicksilver surf shorts. Punt chic at its finest.

Also quite a good expression of my status as a laid-back bohemian in an uptight town.

Took one punt out – an old Welsh guy and his Vietnamese wife. Told them that they don’t let more than two swans live on the river at any time since William Wordsworth was attacked and killed by a flock of them in 1948. Talked to Jack and Sean about their trip to Thailand – sounded pretty spiritual. Really want to go. Might ask Laura to come with me.

Tuesday

Wore a bandana today.

Had a big American tour group as soon as I arrived at work. Gave them the usual stuff about the Mathematical Bridge and then told them that Queens’ College was named in memory of Freddie Mercury. Got asked why I wasn’t at uni and told them I was on a gap-year, just trying to learn more about the world. Don’t know if I will apply, I’ve just felt so trapped in the rat-race since I left sixth form in July.

Just nice to hang out with some chilled out guys like Jack and Sean and Laura for now. We’re just a group of chilled out idealists trying to escape the matrix. Tried to talk to Laura at work but couldn’t get away from Jack – he’s a great guy but you’d think he’d notice the sexual chemistry between us and take a hint.

Wednesday

Found a spandex sari today – combined it with my Nike hi-tops. Sartorial elegance at its best. Also quite a good expression of my status as a neo-spiritual guru in a town throttled by the western analytic tradition (according to this professor I had on the punts today). Took out a Chinese family as well. Told them that Michael Douglas founded St Catharine’s in 2000 to commemorate his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Not sure they knew who she was. Went for drinks at The Anchor after work – asked Laura to go to Thailand with me but then Jack pointed out that it’s got pretty commercial since this time last year. Apparently all the students go there – good of him to look out for us like that.

Thursday

Laura and Jack are going to Cambodia together! Can’t believe it. Took one punt out then went home. Thought I’d go into the shadows, so I laid low and watched ‘Neighbours’ with Mum before she took me to Pizza Hut.

Friday

Laura was wearing Jack’s hoodie today. He’s such an idiot – overheard him telling Sean that he was thinking of becoming an estate agent. He’s just going to end up working for the man. I don’t need those guys anyway. Was on Wikipedia today and found a place called Goa. Looks amazing and I bet Jack’s never even heard of it. Just sand, sea and a community of like-minded ideological explorers trying to liberate themselves from spiritual oppression (according to the hostel website). I can’t wait. They might even have punts.