Day trips (Part 3 - Oxford)

Ox
Definition: An adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus 2: any of various wild bovines especially of the genera Bos or closely related Bibos
Ford
Definition: A shallow place in a body of water, such as a river, where one can cross by walking or riding on an animal or in a vehicle.
(dictionary.com)
The Hertford Bridge is often called the Bridge of Sigh, like in Venice, because of it's similarities in their designs. However, many would also claim that their similarities do not stop there. In Venice, the name came from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. In Oxford, it is suggested that students would sigh when crossing the bridge to sit for their exams...

Lincoln College

Trinity College

Christ Church College. Lewis Carroll who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was a mathematics tutor at Christ Church from 1855-1895. His real name was in fact Charles Dodgson and he had befriended the daughters of the Dean of Christ Church, especially Alice. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass grew out of tales which the shy tutor made up to entertain the sisters. Many of the characters in the books were inspired by people and objects in Christ Church.


The wide stone staircase leading into the Dining Hall.

Visiting the Dining Hall is quite an event. Scenes for the first two J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter were shot at Christ Church in the Dining Hall. Only difference is, instead of 3 rows, the movie required 4 rows of tables for the four houses at Hogwarts. But if you look close enough, you may notice traces of its original literary association.

First, high on the left hand wall, the fifth window from the entrance shows portraits otf Alice and oher characters from the book. Click on the pic to enlarge. You'll see what I mean.


On the ground level, the brass 'firedogs' which guard the fire have long necks. If you remember the story well, Alice's neck grows long in the story. The White Rabbit was apparently based on Alice's father as he would leave dinner every night descending down a narrow spiral stair behind the raised 'High Table' (behind the panelled door, far left) - hence the rabbit hole in the book.

The Great Quadrangle

Peckwater Quad. Built on the site of a medieval inn which was run by the Peckwater family. Now students live and work in these buildings.

Magdalene College.

Radcliffe Camera. Built in 1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library, the Radcliffe Camera (camera is another word for 'room') is now a reading room for the Bodleian Library.

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

ps. I wasnt in any of the pictures because my friend backed out at the last minute and I had to go to Oxford by myself... how sad... oohh.. I also went to Wadham College...