Had an extra hour in bed, and then a truly disgusting breakfast, which reminded me very much of school! The sausages were cold and looked like those Walls microwave ones, with high water content! The beans were like chips of plaster and don't get me started on the scrambled eggs! At least the coffee was hot!
Showered and headed back out, back to Sandford lock and to find the Sandford Lasher. After observing the wildlife, including three spectacular herons in flight, we finally hear the roar coming from this weir!
 |
| The Oxford bull |
 |
| Heron |
 |
| Sandford Lasher |
It is a lovely morning, and the walking, while muddy and wet after the rain the night before, is a pleasure, with some smashing views! As we get closer to Oxford, you start to see signs of why Great Britain is such a powerhouse at rowing, with the sheer numbers of boathouses and rowing clubs. In fact, it seems each of Oxford University's colleges has its own boathouse!
 |
| Iffley Lock |
 |
| University boathouses, each for an individual college. |
 |
| Punts |
Soon, we arrive at the Folly Bridge after passing the Christ Church Meadow on the far bank with glimpses of the Cathedral and Christ Church College. Time now for a gander around this city and something to eat at the Four Candles (one of my favourite Two Ronnies sketches... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaGpaj2nHIo). Oxford has some breath-taking architecture, glorious spires and deeply ancient doors and arches. Makes me wonder why Canterbury never developed this kind of educational system, despite being the seat of the Church in England. Both of Canterbury's universities are only 50 years old...
 |
| The Folly Bridge |
 |
| Christ Church |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Examination Schools |
 |
| Magdalen College |
 |
| The Radcliffe Camera |
 |
| The University Church of St Mary the Virgin |
 |
| All Souls College |
 |
| Bridge of Sighs |
 |
| The Sheldonian Theatre next to the Bodlian Library |
 |
| Balliol College |
 |
| The Ashmolean |
As I leave Oxford, I spot the next link of this end2end, the Oxford Canal, which will hopefully take me to Coventry and beyond. I may change my mind at some point as I would like to pay a pilgrimage to another of my heroes in Chipping Norton. Still, this is the last section until the new year as I have a shed load of University work to be getting on with and the weather is also starting to close in. Not to worry though, I may still do some short walks here and there to keep this blog going! ;o)
 |
| The next stage... |
No comments:
Post a Comment