Day 6: Off to Oxford

Tim picked us up promptly at 9 o’clock. I was not sad to say goodbye to Marlborough House.

It was raining as we drove out of Bath en route to Castle Combe. Tim said he wanted to get there quickly because it is so beautiful, and after 10 or so, it becomes completely congested with tourists. We were lucky; he found a parking spot right at the edge of town so we could walk up the one street.

The town has been used as the setting for several movies, including “Dr. Dolittle” and “War Horse.” In the church, there is a display of photos from the filming. During production, the streets were covered with dirt, and any modern signs or objects on the house fronts were removed. Additionally, the production companies have paid to have all the utilities hidden.

We walked up to the beautiful market cross and entered the church. We were fortunate as there were only a dozen or so other visitors. Tim mentioned that after 11 o’clock, it becomes difficult to walk down the street because of the crowd.

We returned to the car and drove to a beautiful manner that has been turned into a deluxe hotel. They even had the second street of the town closed off and renovated the houses into more hotel rooms.

Hiring Tim was absolutely brilliant. He drove on back roads where we could see beautiful scenery since the clouds lifted.

We passed the town of Badminton, home of the Duke of Beaufort. His estate is huge, many thousands of acres and all around are homes he owns and rents out. All of them have the trim painted a weird yellow/orange. Tim said he likes to wander around and check out all of his property. He has a 4 mile drive that leads from the gate house to his home

We headed towards the town of Westonbirt and stopped at a tiny lot that turned out to be the parking lot for a Saxon church. Maybe it could hold three cars?? The walk to the church was through a tunnel of trees, and we passed a very old ill kept cemetery. Then boom, there was the church.

Just around the church, you could see the posh girls school, Westonbirt. It was incredibly beautiful with vast manicured grounds.

The roads were very narrow, and occasionally we had to back up and allow a car going in the opposite direction to get through. Gorgeous, rolling countryside, water meadows, and drop dead gorgeous manor houses and farms, just the kind of place you imagine you could live in with 10 in staff and horses.

We passed through the countryside and through the town of Winson. Then on to Coln St Rogers. It has a lovely war memorial and is a Thankful Village, one of only 50 villages in England and Wales, where all those who went away to fight in WW1 returned safely.

We bypassed Bibury, which is a very well-known town because it was slammed with tourists. It’s famous for Arlington Row.

We stopped in the town of Northleach, which was a well-known wool town, and had lunch at a pub called The Wheatsheaf. Another delicious meal! Pat and I both had the cheddar soufflé, and I ordered a side order of roasted heirloom carrots baked with honey and thyme. Tim had a pea risotto that looked beautiful, really spring green. I had a taste, and it was delicious too.

Then we drove into Oxford. It’s a busy city, and we had to take a detour to finally reach St Aldate’s Street where Christ Church College is located. Tim dropped us off at Tom Gate, where the porters, dressed in uniforms and bowler hats, directed us to the office.

Signed in, got the key fob, found my room, which is in Canterbury Quad. Pat was supposed to be nearby, but her room was in the basement and she chose to leave for a better location on the other side of the college. My rooms are large – I have a full sitting room complete with piano and a bedroom with en suite bathroom.

I unpacked, then took a walk, back out Tom Gate and walked a few blocks to get the lay of the land. Oxford is teaming with people. Lots and lots of tourists and I heard many languages being spoken.

Christ Church admits visitors (for a fee) and many were walking around. Again, lots of tourists. They all left by five and it’s very quiet.

The whole group, perhaps a bit over 100 met for an introductory session. Then we walked over for a wine party held by the entrance to Hall. Met a very nice woman from Wales and a young woman from New York City came over and asked to join us. She said she has three girls either in college or starting college and I said off the cuff, “any going to Penn State?“ Her mouth dropped open, her husband is dropping their freshman daughter off on Thursday. How’s that for a coincidence!

We walked into the Hall for dinner, which is like walking into Harry Potterville.

Nice dinner, all served to us. Tasted decent, like a conference or wedding dinner. I’ve had worse!

We met our tutors after dinner, and now I know where my class will be. Food and Feasting. Perfect for me!

Back to my rooms and time for some decompression reading.

Love,
Lynn