May 30th
The night before I spent a good forty-five minutes planning out how Sarah, Chelsea, Tracy, and I could do both Oxford in Cambridge in one day. It was a little stressful, but I was extremely proud of myself that I planned it all out. Everyone commented on how well it was done. I must be in the right major. When we got to the tube though everyone else decided they needed a slow day and did not want to rush through either school. I was a tad disgruntled as everyone bought a round trip ticket and declared we would do Cambridge another day. It was a loss on sleep, but probably a good decision. There is lots to see in Oxford.
Hot chocolate and mapping out our day. This was unmistakably the best hot chocolate I have ever had. Snaps for Caffe Nero. After out desired landmarks were found, we set off!
No wonder Lewis Carroll and Tolkien wrote such great books. This place is inspiring.
This is the Church of Christ Cathedral.... but I am happy to call it a castle.
Trying to find the white rabbit.
We walked the grounds of the church for an hour after we passed the college that Tolkien use to be president of. It was enchanting.
Tracy, Chelsea, and Sarah.
Sarah took a picture trying to open this door, but then it really opened. Awkward.
Stop and smell the roses.
Just more pictures from our walk. It was a good time. We even found this little gate and foot bridge over an inlet of the river. It would have made my day to see a real rowing team. We were not so lucky.
Another bookshop? This one was second hand so it had a little character. I do not understand English majors. Most of them have already bought several books on this trip.
A little store devoted to Alive.
The Eagle and Child pub. This is where the Inklings met each week to discuss book ideas. We came back for a late lunch. It was pretty good and not too pricey. Mostly you feel awesome eating at the same place where your favorite books were first discussed.
We made a true pilgrimage to Tolkien's house and then his grave. The house is just owned by random people now. It has the important plaque on it though denoting who it used to be owned by. These plaques are all over London. I wonder if these people get annoyed with tourists like us taking pictures by their house.
Wolvercote Cemetery was far out. Getting there was worth the walk. Sarah burst into tears once we found the grave. There were little signs helping fans find the way. I thought the bush was random. The best parts were the notes written by people about he inspired them. It was really touching.
Instead of walking more than two and a half miles back to town I proposed we take the bus. Best decision. Lunch and then the Musical Instrument Museum followed. By then we felt like Oxford had lived up to its expectations. The Oxford Tube back to London pulled up right as we were walking out of Tesco with some snack for the journey home. It was an excellent day. Maybe we will make it out to Cambridge, but I have heard Oxford is the more engaging out of the two.
I took an early exit from the coach to run over to Leicester Square. George highly suggest Handbagged at the Vaudville Theatre and Ben mentioned that he might try to go. I got a little turned around, but made it just in time. The show was great! A witty comedy about Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher. I am starting to become obsessed with the royal family. I know I would have thought the show was even better if I knew anything about British politics. However, it was still very enjoyable.
Another successful day done. I love London life.
~Emily
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