6/1/07 – Day 10
Weather: drizzle and occasional rain. Today, I went via train to Oxford to visit some friends. Once again, I have to say the experience of travelling by public transport was second to none – nice clean carriages, and an express service that stopped at only 5 stops between Paddington Station and Oxford. Apparently it has a top speed of 125mph, which is only just faster than the maximum permitted running speed of Australia’s XPT.
My train to Oxford
There was lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy along the way – the expanse of the Thames Valley plain stretching out beyond my gaze (no pictures – train was travelling too fast!). Once at Oxford, I was met by Keith and Bob, who then took me to see a few sights around town. First stop was the Sheldonian Theatre, which apparently is used mostly for university graduation ceremonies these days. It was designed by Christopher Wren (architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, London), and has a cupola which permits views of the surrounding area through no less than six windows. The pictures below illustrate the views (there are some reflections in some of the pictures – sorry!)
We then went on a tour by foot of the town, had lunch in a café, bought provisions for dinner, and then on to Oxford Castle. The castle was in use as a prison up until 10 years ago, and has now been turned into an historical museum, detailing the use of the building for as far back as they can tell. Originally built as one of the towers in the wall surrounding the protected part of the city, it was used as an outpost to defend the city from enemy attacks (of which there were many). We went down into the basement, which was used to store the bodies of prisoners for the first few hundred years of its life. Interestingly, food was also stored down here. I hope the two didn’t get confused!
We had a very chirpy madam show us round the tower itself, then went on an audio-guided tour of the prison part, which was very interesting. The lives of a few prisoners were showcased here also.
Following the tour, we adjourned to their place, and Keith cooked a stunning Toad in the Hole, containing some rather wonderful Wild Boar and Apple sausages! I was curious to read up on the canal system of the midlands, and fortunately Keith had a few books on the subject, so I leaved through a few pages of each before dinner. Interesting reading! I also had a play on Keith’s American reed organ – I had to remember to keep pumping the pedals! I stumbled through Boëllmann’s Prière a Notré-Dame from Suite Gothique, with Keith ably assisting with the pedal part. I had brought some manuals-only music with me (Vol. 2 of Vierne’s 24 Pièces en style libre), but had stupidly left it in the hotel room back in London. How annoying!
Anyways, it was time to get a move on to the station, but not before one last look at scenic (and rainy) Oxford. Thanks for having me, guys! The train arrived back about 20 minutes late due to trackwork on a section just outside Didcot East.
Return train from Oxford (left)
My train to Oxford
There was lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy along the way – the expanse of the Thames Valley plain stretching out beyond my gaze (no pictures – train was travelling too fast!). Once at Oxford, I was met by Keith and Bob, who then took me to see a few sights around town. First stop was the Sheldonian Theatre, which apparently is used mostly for university graduation ceremonies these days. It was designed by Christopher Wren (architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, London), and has a cupola which permits views of the surrounding area through no less than six windows. The pictures below illustrate the views (there are some reflections in some of the pictures – sorry!)
We then went on a tour by foot of the town, had lunch in a café, bought provisions for dinner, and then on to Oxford Castle. The castle was in use as a prison up until 10 years ago, and has now been turned into an historical museum, detailing the use of the building for as far back as they can tell. Originally built as one of the towers in the wall surrounding the protected part of the city, it was used as an outpost to defend the city from enemy attacks (of which there were many). We went down into the basement, which was used to store the bodies of prisoners for the first few hundred years of its life. Interestingly, food was also stored down here. I hope the two didn’t get confused!
We had a very chirpy madam show us round the tower itself, then went on an audio-guided tour of the prison part, which was very interesting. The lives of a few prisoners were showcased here also.
Following the tour, we adjourned to their place, and Keith cooked a stunning Toad in the Hole, containing some rather wonderful Wild Boar and Apple sausages! I was curious to read up on the canal system of the midlands, and fortunately Keith had a few books on the subject, so I leaved through a few pages of each before dinner. Interesting reading! I also had a play on Keith’s American reed organ – I had to remember to keep pumping the pedals! I stumbled through Boëllmann’s Prière a Notré-Dame from Suite Gothique, with Keith ably assisting with the pedal part. I had brought some manuals-only music with me (Vol. 2 of Vierne’s 24 Pièces en style libre), but had stupidly left it in the hotel room back in London. How annoying!
Anyways, it was time to get a move on to the station, but not before one last look at scenic (and rainy) Oxford. Thanks for having me, guys! The train arrived back about 20 minutes late due to trackwork on a section just outside Didcot East.
Return train from Oxford (left)
posted by Daniel at 3:02 am
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