Saturday 8 November 2008

A Study of Oxford

We came across some photos from the day we went to Oxford, and thought we better post them for your enjoyment. Unfortunately, we were unable to find an original blog title, so we stole the one from Cambridge - maybe we should combine the two together and call it "A Study of Oxbridge".

These pics were taken a few months back, so the significance of some of the locations has been forgotten. Mostly we are standing in from of one historical college or another - there were lots, and by the way, don't ask us how to pronounce Magdalen College.

The one thing that we do recall is how many bikes there were chained up or lying about - many of which look to have been forgotten by their owners, who had either graduated, or had one too many at the local and forgot how they got there. It's a bike thieves paradise. Conveniently for us - we drove by car, and so weren't tempted to make off with a stray.


The gates to the Oxford Botanical Gardens, I seem to recall.


A tower belonging to a college - quite possibly Magdalen.


I believe the building featured here (behind our model) is Oxford Castle - now partly a trendy hotel.


The visitor centre at the castle one of these chain up the prisoner thingies... always a fun photo opportunity.


The castle tower (and Lucy)


A street in Oxford - the name of which escapes me right now


A gate in Oxford - the significance of which escapes me right now

Lucy posing in front of the Radcliffe Camera. Obviously it's a building rather than the type of camera used to take photos.


More posing in front of the "Camera"




Like Cambridge, you can also punt in Oxford


Lewis Carroll used to live near us in Guildford, but obviously he spent some time in Oxford as well, judging by the number of Alice in Wonderland shops.


No prizes for guessing the name of this pub - very popular on a Sunday


And here's a shot of the High Street - good shopping in Oxford too, in case you were wondering.

Saturday 1 November 2008

Caiti's Sports Day

Caiti had a sports day at her nursery (a.k.a pre-school or kindergarten) a while back. It was action packed with all the usual races such as the 15m sprint, but also had a few lesser known events such as the Doll Push and the Shoe Gather (definitely an event designed for females). She looks like a sprinter in the making - winning two of her events, although she might need to put in a bit more work on the Shoe Gather, where she tried to make off with the shoes rather than win the race! Enjoy the pics.


Here she is getting ready for the first race of the day - the 15m sprint.


She got off to a good start. The start is crucial in this event.


Some last minute instructions before the shoe race.


First shoe up.


Second shoe up, shoes in box, now let's nick off with them.


Runners ready.... Dollies ready... On your mark...


Edging ahead at the half-way point


Winner!