Day 33 (4/23)
My day began in a bookstore, so I knew it was going to be a good one. I had breakfast with a busker I met before I left for Cardiff, and then watched his first set of the day. His name is Matthew Lennox, and you should check him out, he really knows his way around a guitar!
I putted around Bath for a bit, then headed back to pack up and say goodbye to Ayesha (sad day!). It was such a beautiful day, I was glad to spend most of it outside before catching the bus.
I arrived in Oxford just in time to check in and have a drink with some awesome new Australian friends at the hostel bar. I made new friends in my first five minutes there, I feel like that has to be some sort of record. The hostel was great over all, the backpackers hostels usually are. It had a great vibe, and a big group of us went out to some clubs to dance. I got my Salsa on with a couple guys from Mexico and now I want to get back into it. I miss my WCS family though!
I found my way back to the hostel without having to use a map (Oxford is small), and everyone was still hanging out. I don't think I actually went to bed until after 4am. Long day, and not a lot of pictures. I'd already photographed the heck out of Bath, and it was dark by the time I left the hostel.
Showing off.
My new Aussie friends, Oliver and Kade.
In the morning we all felt a little rough, so there was a lot of sleeping in, and not a lot of socializing. Kade ended up walking me around the town, which took about a half hour. It's pretty, but it's very small. He headed back to the hostel for a nap, and I headed back out for some photo ops.
I climbed a spiral staircase (I've never done that before) to the top of Carfax Tower for some amazing views of the city. I wandered back to the Bridge of Sighs, and the Bodleian Library, both of which are used in the Harry Potter films. I ducked into the Church of St. Mary for a quick peak, and wandered around the various colleges, of which there are over 40. Kade had shown me the meadow walk over by Christ Church, so I did that as well. The fresh air was doing a nice job of helping me recover.
I ended the day with a stop in The Eagle and Child, or the bird and baby, the place where the Inklings used to meet. They had some pictures of C. S. Lewis and his brother, and a document signed by J. R. R. Tolkien as well as the others. By then I'd recovered enough for a pint, because who goes to a pub and doesn't have a pint!
Then back to the hostel for a relaxing night of movie watching.
Carfax Tower. It's really not very impressive when you look at it from below, but the view from the top was quite nice.
They all look the saaaaame. I only go in the free ones.
The Bodleian was used as the infirmary in 4 of the Harry Potter movies.
One of the many colleges.
The Bridge of Sighs
Another college.
The canals were beautiful, and it was a lovely day for a walk.
I have a strange fascination with ivy.
Christ Church College. More on that later.
At the top you can see Lewis' signature, and at the bottom, Tolkien's.
This is the tiny room in which they used to meet to drink beer and discuss their books.
Day 35 (4/25)
Which is today! I managed to see everything today that I missed yesterday, so now I can check Oxford off the list.
Saw the castle from the outside, but it was a little pricey so I skipped it for the botanical gardens (I love flowers) and Christ Church (more Harry Potter nerd stuff, AND Lewis Carroll was a professor there). I mailed out a few postcards and found the oldest pub in Oxford. It was established in 1242, and the owners have been collecting pieces of ties from universities and clubs all around the world. You'll see what I mean.
I grabbed some food from a place called Mission Burrito, a Chipotle wannabe, and headed back to the hostel for movies and goodbyes. I missed out on the last six Freddy Krueger movies, but between the last two days I managed to see most of the first three. I think I'm set, but you guys enjoy Frightfest 2016. "If you snooze, you lose," I think was their slogan.
As much as I'm ready to head to London, I really enjoyed my stay in Oxford. Everyone at the hostel was so welcoming, and so much fun!
I'm back in Reading now. Lissie and Marco have again graciously offered their spare room. I take the train into London tomorrow and I can't wait! I'm also already overwhelmed, but I'll figure it out.
Oxford castle, and prison it turns out. This is all I saw, and the gift shop.
I love water lilies. It doesn't really show up in the photo, but they have a lovely purple shading on the tips of the petals.
Tulips for days!
I love Magnolias. Messy, but worth it.
In the summer the roses are in bloom and I bet this is just gorgeous!
Christ Church Cathedral, the only church in the world to be both a cathedral and college chapel. Built between 1150 - 1210, it's one of the oldest buildings in Oxford.
This is the outside, but check out that blue sky!
Steeples everywhere.
Literally everywhere.
The Great Hall of Christ Church! Scenes from Harry Potter were filmed here!
This staircase is just outside. There were Harry Potter things filmed here also.
I loved the wood ceiling.
This is the oldest pub in town. Welcome.
There were frames like this all over the place, even on the ceiling.
Selwyn and I shared a pint. He's still learning to handle his liquor.
And that's it for now. London in the morning, so I should get some sleep. Goodnight!
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