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Published: October 2nd 2005
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As so often happens when you are camping the moment we even thought about setting up our tent it started to teem from the heavens. So much for our sunny weekend in Oxford.... the English forecasters and the English weather had failed us again. Nevermind, we were here now and our friend from Adelaide who was here on business was picking us up to visit the nearby Blenheim Palace soon. It would be great to see him and catch up on all the news from home.
Our first impression of Oxford as we walked through the city that morning was that it was very pretty but completely over run with large and loud groups of Spanish and American students, complete with matching backpacks or jumpers and not much consideration for anyone else sharing the streets.
The serene Blenheim Palace with its hectare upon hectare of gorgeous gardens, lakes, maze and tranquil ponds and creeks far away from the maddening teenages was a welcome way to spend the afternoon. About 20 minutes drive from Oxford the palace used to be home to Winston Churchill and is full of spectacular French furniture, Chinese pottery and artworks from all over the world.
The building itself is also spectacular, particularly the library which we were lucky enough to see being set up for a wedding. Now that is one spectacular reception venue! Especially when it is subtly lit in pick and absolutely littered with gorgeous flower arrangements.
Although it poured with rain all afternoon we were lucky enough to still be able to enjoy a stroll through the vast and impressive palace grounds with the help of our most treasured possesion - the travel umbrella. Unfortunately I don't think it would have been great weather for the outdoor music festival being held that night but it was nice to be able to listen to the musicians warming up for the main event as we strolled amongst the manicured gardens and across a bubbling brook or two.
One of the most fabulous things about England is the gorgeous country pubs and we enjoyed a fantastic dinner at one called the Boar's Head with our friend David and his Australian business partner that evening. The pub was complete with low-ceilings, cosy bar and dining room, friendly staff, great steaks (by English standards - which admittedly are completely flavourless with comparison to red meat
in Australia) and the bonus of a fantastic dessert menu. Chocolate centred pudding is just the thing for a grey drizzly day in Oxfordshire!
The next morning was a little brighter so we headed to the top of the 14th century Church of Saint Mary the Virgin for a view over the surrounding area. Up the narrow and richety old wooden staircase, backtracking every now and then when someone came the other way. The church had found a clever way of raising money compared to selling teeth-breaking toffee and Aunty Ethel's chocolate crackles at the local church fete. They had set up a gorgeous cafe with seating both inside a little recess in the church and amongst the trees, bushes and flowers in the church garden. We grabbed ourselves a hot drink and soaked up the Sunday morning atmosphere (definitley my preferred method of attending church on Sunday morning).
The maddening crowds were no less frustrating on a Sunday afternoon so we grabbed supplies for a picnic and headed to a pretty and tranquil little part of the river to watch the punters float by. Given that punting involves a good deal of balance and co-ordination with a
long pole whilst balancing on the end of a boat Andrew did not back his skills in this department (and the prospect of a quick dip on a chilly afternoon did not appeal to me) so we kept our feet on dry land. The other punters provided more than enough entertainment with their splashing, teetering and trouble manoevering their vessels. Alas we did not see anyone enter the drink.
Back to the crowds and we joined the queue to look through Oxford's largest college, Christchurch College. This college has been the star of many a movie and television program, the most recent being the Harry Potter series (none of which I can claim to have watched myself). The buildings are steeped in history and are absolutely gorgeous, with high domed ceilings and stained glass windows. It is hard to believe that students are still priveleged enough to study within these walls today, in what can only be described as awe-inspiring surroundings. It is a far cry from the ugly 70's buildings which most students in Australia are doomed to find inspiration within these days.
We ended the afternoon walking back along the peaceful Thames admiring the views: watching
people picnic on the banks and admiring the character-filled little canal boats moored on the shore. If we didn't have to catch the bus back to London for work the next day we could have whiled away a few more hours at the perfectly positioned pub 'the Head of the River' enjoying the sun that had finally revealed itself ... next time.
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mum and dad m
non-member comment
brings back memories
Great reading. Thanks