I have to say cruising is easy. We unpack once and the rest is history. But to spend time in a city, we usually go it on our own. That means lugging suitcases on and off trains or whatever mode of transportation.
We started our trip to Oxford with a train ride from Southampton. I bought tickets ahead of time with reserved seating to avoid unnecessary stress.
Looking out the train window, we saw interesting countryside along the way.
Finally, after 1.5 hours, we arrived in Oxford. Our reserved train tickets were $44 for both of us. It actually was easy getting here.
We are staying at the Courtyard Marriott City Center which is walkable to everything. It cost 19,500 in points and a free night. We are on the top floor which has a rooftop area where we could see around Oxford. That is Oxford Castle next door. We never did get the opportunity to visit the castle.
After we settled in our room, we walked around Oxford. Our first stop was an indoor miniature golf course.
It was interesting. Very fluorescent. We walked through an indoor marketplace which was also very interesting. But no shopping for us.
We stopped for a cappuccino and what they said was Brazilian carrot cake. It was good but it didn’t taste anything like carrot cake.
We walked to the Bodleian Library.
Unfortunately, it was too late to get in so we will go tomorrow morning.
We visited the Weston Library and a free exhibit on writers and their editing processes called Write, Cut, and Rewrite. Some of the manuscripts date back 1000 years.
This was a 12th century notebook showing editing marks.
Below was a notebook of JRR Tolkiens showing illustrations as well as copy and editing notes.
After our little tour of the exhibition, we wandered around Oxford which is known as the City of Spires.
As we walked I saw a group of men with bowler hats standing in front of a building. I’ve never seen that in the United States.
I just love all the old architecture.
For dinner, we ate at the Red Lion and of course, had fish and chips.
And to top the night off, fruit and ice cream for me and sticky toffee pudding for Bruce.
We woke early the next day to get our tickets to the Bodleian Libraries for later in the afternoon.
We received a 10% discount at the cafe so we had a cappuccino and almond croissant.
We met up with our tour guide, Tom, and another couple from Hawaii to commence our Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavor Tour. Our first point of interest was a cobbled spot in the road where three bishops were burnt at the stake in 1555 and 1556. I think the main issue was that they were Protestant when the country was Catholic.
We walked on and he regaled us with scenes from the show and areas in Oxford where each scene took place. From Trinity to Exeter to Lincoln to Corpus Christi. All a whirlwind of information and a true flavor for the shows. Even St. Mary’s with its gargoyles and all.
All Souls College is one of the schools and its interesting that all its members automatically become Fellows.
Tom told us about the once Jewish area before they were exiled from England and how Oxford was built over this area. He said that supposedly one can see the original foundations of their community.
I am currently reading a mystery about Merton Library so we stopped by Merton College.
And to end our tour, Tom took our photo with the car from inspector Morse.
We took a short break between tours and shared a sandwich.
Then onto the Bodleian Library and the Divinity Room.
Can you recognize this from any movies? It was used in the Harry Potter movies as the hospital and the dance hall.
This was built in the 1400s! Yes, older than the US.
The door however was built in the 1600s with wood that was 200 years older.
The next room we ventured in was the Convocation House which was built similarly to the Parliament Building prior to its fire in the 1800s.
The Chancellor’s Court is where they addressed students who created problems. According to our guide at one point in Oxford’s history, Oxford students were responsible for much mayhem and murder.
Finally we walked up flights of stairs to reach the old Bodleian Library.
Many of the books are hundreds of years old. Some have alarms if they are touched.
It’s interesting how Oxford did not sustain any bombings during WWII. According to our guide, Adolph Hitler wanted to use Oxford for himself as a center for his rule of England.
Some interesting names of streets along the way!
It was a wonderful trip to Oxford. To sum it all up: We took the train from Southhampton which was $44 total. The Marriott was 19,500 points and a free night. Tour of the Library was $20 each. The Morse tour was $130 plus GBP15 tip. Food was about GBP100. Used marriott card to get 5 x points on incidentals. Chase Sapphire to get 3x points on dining. Total cost of the side trip was about $350 US.
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