I love visiting my friends in Oxford and this trip I had some time for a quick wander around town.
Punting is a great Oxford tradition. The punter stands on the flat part of the boat and uses a long pole to steer. A lot easier said than done! You have to twist the pole so as to avoid getting it stuck on the muddy bottom. It’s easy enough to generate some momentum, but getting the steering right is a challenge. A few years ago, I had my one and only experience as a punter. It was a lot of fun, but a ton of work while my friends just lounged in the boat and admired the view. Next time I want to lounge!
Some of the colleges charge an admission fee to see their grounds but many of them are open to the public for free.
The Botanical Gardens.
When the weather is nice, half the town strolls along the canal.
There is plenty of history here and any number of important people have passed through before leaving a mark on society.
Among the many pubs in Oxford is the Eagle and Child, most famous as the meeting place of a group of writers called The Inklings which included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
And should you find yourself looking for a snack, I had a fantastically gooey cookie from Ben’s Cookies in the Covered Market.
