Oxford (Monday 1st July 2013)

Up early to get the Circle Line Underground from Victoria to Paddington were the train to Oxford leaves from. That meant no breakfast at the hotel. We were there in plenty of time so we grabbed a bite at one of the many food outlets at the station. Right on time the train left Platform 2. We were traveling in second class. The seats were comfortable (there was even a small table to rest my computer on), the view was good and we got to Oxford about an hour later – at the same time as the first class people.

Purchased a guide to Oxford at the station and headed off into town. First stop was Christ Church College. This was our first glimpse of the stunning architecture of Oxford and there was plenty more to come during the day. The camera went into overload! We paid about 24 pound :( to tour the College building and grounds. Hmmm, if we had started somewhere else we may not have visited at all. All other Colleges charged about two pounds for entry and many were free. Anyway, we didn't regret paying the exorbitant fee. The Cathedral inside was indeed ancient dating back to the 14^th century. The Quad was expansive and the cloisters created the sense of another time and age. I think the College are making hay while the sun of the benevolent lord Harry Potter shines on them. The dining hall was the one used in the first installment, so many people (including the Smiths) were keen to see it.

After Christ College we wandered back towards the main street. We found a little lane called St. Mary's Passage by the Church of the Virgin Mary. Emily was happy to see her old college represented in this famous university. Indeed, the names of many of the colleges of the University of Melbourne were represented across Oxford. The church had a very nice little cafe in its garden so we stopped for a while to enjoy tea and cake and soak up the atmosphere. Next on the journey was Trinity College. The colleges are mostly all very close to each other, linked by small lanes and roads. Every corner uncovered something new – another grand vista, another ancient wall, another winding alleyway, another pub tucked away in a hidden corner – more abut pubs latter. The students at the far-flung colleges must feel like they're at Whitley.

Trinity College offered magnificent gardens to complement the architecture. Being outside the walls of the old town it has a huge lawn, probably close to 300m long and 75m wide with a wide stone path running down the centre. Very English. Back into town for a bit of souvenir shopping, the obligatory fridge magnets and Oxford University hoodie (which I suspect will find its way to Brunswick and never return, just like the Cambridge one I bought in 1990).

Exeter College was next on the list for a special reason. It was here that the last scene of John Thaw's Inspector Morse was shot. We reckon we found the park bench upon which he sat when he died. Off to YouTube to verify it! The real surprise was the church in front of which the park bench sat. Rather than mostly solid walls with some stained glass windows this was the opposite with huge stained glass windows, separated by massive columns only, around three side of the church. The sun was shining outside so inside was glorious. Without question, the best church of the many we visited.

Leaving Exeter College we headed via the Oxford Covered Market to the White Horse Hotel to honour Inspector Morse and Lewis with a couple of pints. This was one of the watering holes they were often found in during the series. We stumbled across a narrow lane no more than 1m wide just past the Bridge of Sighs in Hertford College which was too tempting to pass by. Down we went and discovered the famous Turf Hotel at the dead end. A very different establishment being made up of separate rooms and little beer gardens along both sides of the last 50m of the alley., being built in the old moat at the bottom of the old town walls. It was here that in 1963, while a student at Oxford, Bob Hawke famously set the world record for downing a yard of beer in 11 seconds. A great ambassador for the Australian people, setting the standard for many young Australians to come.

It was time to head back to the station and London. By chance, while searching the lane-ways for a WC (which wasn't there) we stumbled across a tiny craft shop. Naturally, Kerry told Emily and I to continue our quest and meet her back there. By the time we got back, like a real lover of craft, some small purchases had been made. Back to the station via a small detour to view some old canal boats on the Oxford Canal.

When we arrived back in London Emily had a hankering for English Fish and Chips. We found a shop just near the hotel so bought tea there and headed back to our room to enjoy it. The fish was cod, not flake, and very oily but it did for dinner. A sleep in tomorrow then more touring in the old town.

Oxford (Monday 1^st July 2013)

Up early to get the Circle Line Underground from Victoria to Paddington were the train to Oxford leaves from. That meant no breakfast at the hotel. We were there in plenty of time so we grabbed a bite at one of the many food outlets at the station. Right on time the train left Platform 2. We were traveling in second class. The seats were comfortable (there was even a small table to rest my computer on), the view was good and we got to Oxford about an hour later – at the same time as the first class people.

Purchased a guide to Oxford at the station and headed off into town. First stop was Christ Church College. This was our first glimpse of the stunning architecture of Oxford and there was plenty more to come during the day. The camera went into overload! We paid about 24 pound :( to tour the College building and grounds. Hmmm, if we had started somewhere else we may not have visited at all. All other Colleges charged about two pounds for entry and many were free. Anyway, we didn't regret paying the exorbitant fee. The Cathedral inside was indeed ancient dating back to the 14^th century. The Quad was expansive and the cloisters created the sense of another time and age. I think the College are making hay while the sun of the benevolent lord Harry Potter shines on them. The dining hall was the one used in the first installment, so many people (including the Smiths) were keen to see it.

After Christ College we wandered back towards the main street. We found a little lane called St. Mary's Passage by the Church of the Virgin Mary. Emily was happy to see her old college represented in this famous university. Indeed, the names of many of the colleges of the University of Melbourne were represented across Oxford. The church had a very nice little cafe in its garden so we stopped for a while to enjoy tea and cake and soak up the atmosphere. Next on the journey was Trinity College. The colleges are mostly all very close to each other, linked by small lanes and roads. Every corner uncovered something new – another grand vista, another ancient wall, another winding alleyway, another pub tucked away in a hidden corner – more abut pubs latter. The students at the far-flung colleges must feel like they're at Whitley.

Trinity College offered magnificent gardens to complement the architecture. Being outside the walls of the old town it has a huge lawn, probably close to 300m long and 75m wide with a wide stone path running down the centre. Very English. Back into town for a bit of souvenir shopping, the obligatory fridge magnets and Oxford University hoodie (which I suspect will find its way to Brunswick and never return, just like the Cambridge one I bought in 1990).

Exeter College was next on the list for a special reason. It was here that the last scene of John Thaw's Inspector Morse was shot. We reckon we found the park bench upon which he sat when he died. Off to YouTube to verify it! The real surprise was the church in front of which the park bench sat. Rather than mostly solid walls with some stained glass windows this was the opposite with huge stained glass windows, separated by massive columns only, around three side of the church. The sun was shining outside so inside was glorious. Without question, the best church of the many we visited.

Leaving Exeter College we headed via the Oxford Covered Market to the White Horse Hotel to honour Inspector Morse and Lewis with a couple of pints. This was one of the watering holes they were often found in during the series. We stumbled across a narrow lane no more than 1m wide just past the Bridge of Sighs in Hertford College which was too tempting to pass by. Down we went and discovered the famous Turf Hotel at the dead end. A very different establishment being made up of separate rooms and little beer gardens along both sides of the last 50m of the alley., being built in the old moat at the bottom of the old town walls. It was here that in 1963, while a student at Oxford, Bob Hawke famously set the world record for downing a yard of beer in 11 seconds. A great ambassador for the Australian people, setting the standard for many young Australians to come.

It was time to head back to the station and London. By chance, while searching the lane-ways for a WC (which wasn't there) we stumbled across a tiny craft shop. Naturally, Kerry told Emily and I to continue our quest and meet her back there. By the time we got back, like a real lover of craft, some small purchases had been made. Back to the station via a small detour to view some old canal boats on the Oxford Canal.

When we arrived back in London Emily had a hankering for English Fish and Chips. We found a shop just near the hotel so bought tea there and headed back to our room to enjoy it. The fish was cod, not flake, and very oily but it did for dinner. A sleep in tomorrow then more touring in the old town.