15 July 2011

Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle


Hearing: People chatting in the street and faint traffic


Today i went on a tour that took me to a couple of places i was interested in seeing just outside London. It had a lot packed in to the one day and as such we didn't get a huge amount of time in the places we visited, but i still think it was well worth it.

The tour guide i must say was very good. He was knowledgeable and well spoken and had a dry sense of humour which reminded me of my friend A a lot. There are a couple of stories and jokes that i jotted down which i will retell here along with some of my photos from the day. There are 5 in total (though the guide told us more) but you'll need to scroll past the photos to see them all.

Story 1 - As we were driving out of London, the guide pointed out a small green square near Marble Arch, not really uncommon for London. This square however had a morbid history. Public hangings used to take place there (last of which was in 1783) much to the amusement and excitement of the Londoners of the time who would take a day off work specially so they could attend. The hangings became such a popular event that tired seating was introduced so that everyone could get a good view.


Oxford

Oxford

Christ Church College

Christ Church College - Tom Quad
Christ Church College - the cloister fountain


Christ Church College - stairs to the Dining Hall (Look familiar? it was used for a scene in the 1st and 2nd Harry Potter movies)

Christ Church College - Dining Hall - used in the 1st and 2nd Harry Potter movies
Christ Church College - Dining Hall

Oxford - Radcliffe Camera (used as one of the many University of Oxford libraries)

Oxford - A copy of Venice's Bridge of Sighs

Oxford
Oxford - Sheldonian Theatre
Oxford - Bodleian Library














 




 Story 2 (joke) - Driving past Buckingham Palace Gardens we were told how the gardens were only "open to the public" on certain days. During the year special garden parties are arranged for some 3000 guests who have done work for charity or made such contributions where guests mingle, and possibly have the chance to speak with or see the Queen. They usually finish around 5.30 at which point they all leave at once and clog up the roads "for important people...like us"

Stratford-Upon-Avon - Shakespeare's Birthplace
Stratford -Upon- Avon - Inside Shakespear's Birthplace - Dining room
Stratford -Upon- Avon - Shakespear's Birthplace from the inside looking out on to the courtyard
Stratford -Upon- Avon - Shakespear's Birthplace
Stratford -Upon- Avon
Stratford -Upon- Avon
Stratford -Upon- Avon - Shakespear's Birthplace (Street view)

Story 3 (joke) - Also on the way some low income housing was brought to our attention. As the guide went through what was required by a person to qualify for lo income housing by the government he dryly added that one of those requirements is that you can afford a satellite...and indeed it did look like every house had a satellite sticking out on the side.
Warwick Castle - Main Entrance
Warwick Castle - So many grand rooms, so little time!
Warwick Castle -Madame Tussaud's works her magic on the Queen
Warwick Castle -More of Madame Tussaud's work
Warwick Castle -More of Madame Tussaud's work
Warwick Castle - View from the mound
Story 4 - In describing the underground, the guide said that when it first began people would say that it was like going to hell. That was in the pre-electric days where the trains ran on steam. (I never thought about that aspect before but i can imagine how horrible it must have been!)

Story 5 - Continuing on from his underground story the guide spoke of how the Queen was please with the "new"train line to Windsor Castle as it allowed her to get there without being covered in dust. Other people however were afraid of the train. Doctors would advise pregnant women not to go on them. Religious people said it was unnatural for humans to travel at such high speeds - that it was an insult to the Lord.

Hope you enjoyed the stories and photos, till next time...

VP

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