Oxford Saturday - holiday day 7

Saturday was spent in visiting Oxford with new and old friends.  It was a bit nostalgic going to a uni with old uni friends.  It's a gorgeous city with so many colleges to see...I will be going back.  I've thought about doing it the last few weekends, but work just keeps getting in the way.  Fingers crossed for next weekend...

We started the day catching the Oxford Tube (coach bus) from Shepherd's Bush to the high street, dropping us just down the road from several colleges.  This trip was a bit different as friends from work tagged along, one of whom is an Oxford grad (Brasenose college).  It was so nice to not have to plan the day and just follow. The first thing was a rush to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. 

The church was closing down for a wedding.  The flowers were up and the guests, including ladies in their summer hats, were just starting to arrive.  The smell of the flowers was all through the air...and it was a beautiful spring day.  Such a lovely setting for a wedding.

View from the top of the church to Radcliffe Camera - Brasenose College to the left and All Souls College to the right.

All Soul's College above - what a site.

Better shot of Brasenose.  After that, we headed for lunch at a nice little French place with set menus...always a good bet!  We walked by the Eagle and Child pub, made famous by CS Lewis, but I forgot to take a picture.  

Then it was off to University College....where CS Lewis went!

I physically am unable to walk by tulips and not take a picture.

Then Christ Church College (where they shot Harry Potter!).  Also where a large proportion of UK prime ministers went to uni.

I didn't think this actually happened - students playing croquet.  It does.  And it's sort of strange to see in real life and not in a movie.

My one regret from the weekend - not punting.  Above is the famous tradition of pushing a flat boat through the canals with a pole.  If I could do it again, I would go punting.  For next time, just need to find some more lovely people to go with me.

Bridge of Sighs in Oxford.  Remember that time I sighed at the Bridge of Sighs in Venice?

More college buildings...can't remember which ones.  The whole city makes you feel like your IQ is at least 50 points higher than it actually is.

Seriously, people play croquet on perfectly manicured lawns.  Not just people...students. Makes our outings to play sand volleyball at the Rec Center look just down right red neck. #waywelikeit

After wandering all through the city, we went on a pub crawl through the city.  We hit a lot of famous ones, including one frequented by Slick Willie...wonder if he didn't inhale in that one or if he saved that for the states.  Then it was off to the coach again to make it back to London.  Gorgeous and fun day (kudos to the tour guide as well)!