Magdalen College and Grounds

After punting, we decided to stroll around Magdalen College. It's definitely among my favorites! Part of the college is bounded by High Street, very near the city centre. Viewing from the High Street, it's difficult to imagine the expansive grounds occupying a hundred acres that lie beyond.

St John's Quadrangle

The Cloisters

The Cloisters

New Building Lawn, near the gate to Addison's Walk

Gardens with the Cloisters and Magdalen Tower visible in the background

View of the New Building, where CS Lewis had his room, from Addison's Walk

Deer in the Grove

One of the deer in the college's 300 year old herd

Holywell Ford House

Noah found a nice place to rest in the Fellows' Garden.

Circling the pond in the Fellows' Garden

I'd like to return and explore the buildings and grounds a bit more!

Christ Church College

We continued our college visits with a stop at Christ Church. The cathedral was closed, so we'll have to return again.
The list of notable alumni is immensely long. "Christ Church has produced thirteen British prime ministers, which is equal to the number produced by all 45 other Oxford colleges put together and more than any Cambridge college and two short of the total number for the University of Cambridge, fifteen" (Wikipedia). Impressive.

Christ Church Cathedral

We had a picnic lunch by the Thames. This party barge turned around right in front of us, providing tunes for a little while.

Inside the Hall

Also inside the Hall - Does this remind anyone of a recent movie about a wizard?

Stairway leading to the Hall

View of Tom Quad including Tom Tower

Merton College and Street

Several of Oxford's colleges are on our list of places we want to visit. On a sunny day recently, we decided to mark Merton College off the list. We have free entry since Nick is a student, so we're able to go and amble about without feeling rushed or pressed to see everything in one visit. 

Merton College was founded in 1264 and claims to be the oldest college in Oxford, although this claim is disputed between Merton College, Balliol College and University College.
T. S. Eliot is a famous alumnus and J. R. R. Tolkien was a Merton Professor of English Language and Literature.

Merton College Chapel

Inside the chapel

Quad

We walked down Merton Street, among my favorite streets in Oxford. University College has houses here, but alas, there are none that offer accommodation for families.

Christmas Party @ University College

Entering the college...The green spaces and interior buildings aren't visible from High St. It's been great to explore the grounds.

Noah had his face painted as soon as we arrived.

Cooper played a dance/freeze game while Caleb looked on.

Caleb was the first winner in Pass the Parcel.

View of the Master's lodgings. That's me (Blair) in the reflection :)

After a hunt for gold, chocolate coins, the kids' were encouraged to balance their spoils on their foreheads.

Caleb chose to sit contemplatively. 

The feast is on!

Christmas crackers!

Time to head off to another party...

Matriculation

Saturday, October 16 was Matriculation Day at Oxford. The boys and I went to a great birthday party from 11-1 in Kidlington, and then our neighbor drove us into town to see Nick. We caught him just before he had to enter the Examinations Building.

 

The boys ate birthday cake and looked through their goodie bags.

I took some photos.

The boys did some dancing.

I took more photos.

And Nick was finally herded back out in a mass of black and white garbed students.

Then we caught the bus and went home.