Oxford, We Are Taking Over....

Throw some glitter, 

Make it rain on 'em,

Let me see them hands, 

Let me see them hands, 

We are taking over...
Get used to it ok...

.                                       - Ke$ha, Blow

The air felt cleaner, the streets were quieter and that country smell was in the air. We were out of London and it felt fantastic! As much as I love the city sometimes it nice to get away from the business, over crowded spaces and consumer driven world.  Alison and I arrived in Oxford at 8pm on Friday night. We checked into our hotel and headed out for a feed and to cause some mischief! 

As the early morning sun woke us we filled up on a tradition English breakfast and headed out to explore the university town.

We began our day with a historic walking tour of the city. The university town opened up before us.

 Can I ask you to imagine Oxford University in your own head for a minute?
What can you see? Where are the buildings located?

If like me you imagined one large university located on a massive grounds with immaculate lawns, a large grand entrance and an imposing gate surrounding it all.
Like me, You are WRONG! 

Oxford university is actually made up of 38 different colleges in separate buildings all over the city. Together the 38 colleges make up the one university. Each college however, is stunning, ancient and beautiful. Every single window is clear, every stone polished and each blade of the green and lush grass cut to the same size (in fact the students are not allowed to walk on the grass and rumour has it repeat offenders can get expelled.)

So as Ally and I took in the sites, visited the different colleges and learnt about Oxford we breathed in the fresh air and praised God it wasn't raining.  

"I'm a little teapot short and stout" 

I was surprised how many famous authors and politicians had a history with Oxford. Including Australia's former MP Bob Hawke who set a world record drinking a yard of beer in under 11 seconds. 

Outside a C.S. Lewis inspired entrance, the lion in the middle of the door, Mr Tumnus in gold above me and just down the road is a lamp post. 

Alison and I also visited The Eagle and Child (or - Bird and Baby - as known by the locals) where C.S. Lewis and J. R.R. Tolkin used to meet to discuss their writings and advice one another. I stared around the pub for a while feeling starstruck despite the fact they weren't in there and hadn't been for years. I was surprised to learn of their friendship and that at different times they both lectured at Oxford University. 

The Bear was another of our favourite pubs. Dated in 1242 it is the oldest pub in Oxford. 

Named The Bear  because it used to provide guests with entertainment through performance bears. 

In 1952, the landlord, Alan Course, began snipping the end of men's ties when he liked the pattern. He gave them a free pint in return. The collection now boasts over 4, 500 snipets. They have however, stopped snipping ties these days! 

And, I did do more than visit pubs I'll have you know. I received an education! 

Just like I picked a house in Harry Potter, I picked a college. 

I picked Christ Church. 

50% because it is actually stunning and 50% because it is where Lewis Carroll taught Math and the real Alice (Alice Liddell) lived and the Cult Classic was imagined and born!

 I think I spent the whole day after my visit there recounting the Jabberwocky and then read it to my kids on Monday. 

And feast your eyes on this. This complicated blackboard above me is hand written by Albert Einstein's lecture on relativity in Oxford on the 16th May 1931. It was preserved from his second lecture that day. 

Ok, so we leave education again to visit another pub...

The Turf Tavern, 

This was where Bob Hawke set his world record! 

On our second day in Oxford we were not so lucky rain wise and it rained on and off throughout the day. We didn't let in rain on our parade however! 

We were off to Oxford Castle. Originally built as a Royal Castle in 1071 for William the Conquer.  In the 1600s it was transformed into a prison - to deal with all those drunk university students you know?

By the afternoon the sun came out and we walked along the Thames and enjoyed our last looks of the city! 

We even saw a few rowing teams practicing! 

It was a lovely weekend away with a good friend. Ally and I used to plan trips to England when we were in year 12 and now here we are, both living and working in London and traveling the UK and soon Europe together! It's a nice way to spend my last year in London!