"Why would you want to leave Henley when there's so much beer here?"

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Hello all!

So today I went rogue and took a train into Oxford on my own. I figure that since we're in Europe (where the history comes from) I should be doing a little more sightseeing and a little less people watching. Although it should be noted that the people watching in Henley today was EXCELLENT. The train station this morning was pretty weird. Never in my life have I seen so many well dressed drunk people on a train (including taking BART to Halloween in Castro). The ladies are pretty comical in their big hats and high heels. They look a bit top heavy. However, much like a Weeble, they wobble but don't fall down.

Oxford is a really incredible place. There was so much to see that I was overwhelmed every time I turned a corner. I started out at Christ Church and worked my way over to the Botanic Gardens (Lewis Carroll's inspiration for Alice in Wonderland). Sadly I didn't make it to Bodleian Library.

Christ Church is really incredible. The dining hall there was the inspiration for the dining hall in Harry Potter. The cathedral there is beautiful as well. A really notable thing about Christ Church is that everything around you seems HUGE. A pamphlet I picked up on Lewis Carroll phrases it well:

"...take yourself into Wonderland by experiencing the sense of relative size that Alice found when she fell down the rabbit hole. You can sense this in many, many places in Oxford, but for your first experience start outside the entrance to Christ church in St. Aldate's."

I can see why Oxford is such an inspiration to so many writers. I can easily picture Alice feeling dwarfed by the buildings around her or Lyra climbing around on the rooftops.

The botanical gardens were stunning. There were a lot of families having picnics inside the gardens. Just walking around was really nice... especially since it's finally cooled off.

Tomorrow I'm headed to Stonehenge on another solo mission. Lots of photos in this post. Enjoy and happy 4th to all!

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Comments

[Bridget Houston Hyde]

Happy Trails Through the Looking Glass
Dear Allile, So glad you were able to break away and see some sights. Solo trips are neat when you are keen to observe. Your pictures are wonderful. We have had a good day. Everyone slept late and then we watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Jimmy Stewart was so great in that role. I made a red, white and blue fruit salad and we took it to some friends for dinner and then came back here to watch "Rachel Getting Married." It is an interesting movie, but not exactly a Nana type film. The music in that movie is really cool, but all the emotions are brutal. Have you seen it? So, are the MIT's finished with their deal? Hope you have fun on your explorations. You were truly elegant in your hat. Maggie says hello and that she hopes there are watermelons in the United Kingdom, as she herself has eaten nearly a whole one today in celebration of the 4th of July. Love, Bridget and Maggie and Nana and Stovepipe and Gadget and Betty Boop

[Bonnie]

MIT
We didn't hear how MIT did in their race yesterday.

[allieb87]

row2k
M.I.T. lost their race. For future reference, race results can easily be found on row2k.com.

[Fred S]

Nap Time!
In the photo entitled "Nap Time!", is that your dad and if so, was he napping or passed out? Inquiring minds want to know. Great blog Allie and send along congrats to John. Cheers, Fred and All P.S. Check out Paul's travel blog sometime (The Mustache Diaries).

[allieb87]

Re: Nap time!
Fred, that is actually a woman. I took the picture because she was literally lying face down in the grass at the Botanic Gardens. Perhaps a little too much bubbly...