An Excursion to Oxford

Today we spent the day in Oxford, where we caught up with my friend Gareth and his partner, who were kind enough to show us around their alma mater.

Oxford City is absolutely charming, helped perhaps by the amazing weather we have been lucky to have here. Just like our Sahara photos, almost every photo we took there was postcard-perfect. And the same can be said of the beautiful English countryside we saw on the way to and from Oxford.

As the students are currently on vacation, we were able to spend the day exploring some of the colleges (including Christ Church and Exeter). We also climbed the narrow stairs of St Marys' tower for a great view over the city. However, the highlight of the day was a delicious traditional Sunday roast in a local pub that we enjoyed together with a glass of Pims.

During the day, we were also regaled with stories of Oxford traditions. A couple in particular stood out. First, students are required to wear full academic dress at exams, together with a red, pink or white carnation, depending on how many exams the student has completed. Secondly, a few years ago, some undergraduates stole a sculpture from one of the colleges and vandalised it; when they were found out, they were "rusticated" by the university (sent to the country for a term to think about their bad deeds - i.e. suspended).

I've always wanted to study at Oxford, and I have to say, this trip has helped to cement that idea - it is perhaps now just a question of when!