Gimme Some Oven

Europe 2012: Oxford

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Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

After Sara’s wedding in Shrewsbury, we made our way to Oxford. At this point, we still had all 8 of us in the group, although Nathan and Kerry left a day early to make it back to the States for New Year’s Eve. But as you will see, those of us who stayed had a special time ringing in the new year Oxford-style!

I think all of us completely loved the town, and all of the energy in the air from the universities and all of the history everywhere you turned. But the one bummer of traveling around the holidays was that many things were closed. School was obviously out of session since it was Christmas break, but since pretty much everything in Oxford is connected to the universities, many of the landmarks we had hoped to visit were also closed for the holidays.

Still, we visited a handful of great landmarks, ate some good pub food, spent time getting lost in bookstores, and enjoyed spending some downtime together reading and hanging out in our flat. Here are the highlights…

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

When we arrived in Oxford, we immediately made our way to our flat, which happened to be located on a canal street. We went for a walk down by the water to stretch our legs after the drive.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Then we ended up at a great little restaurant for lunch. Maux and I shared a heavenly gnocchi.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Lovely sunset….at 3:50pm.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Somehow we didn’t get in any wrecks, but we did manage to score a parking ticket. Oy. I was more than happy to say goodbye to this car in Oxford.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

That evening, we went to the historic Turf Tavern for drinks and dessert.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

A little history.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

And a little dessert. It tasted better than it looked. :)

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

The next day we went and toured some around the universities. We decided to forego the official tour since it was freezing out and we wanted to move quickly. So Nathan took over as our Oxford expert. Very serious business here.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

The Chapel.

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How I remember things. :)

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Rawr.

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Even though it was winter, the grass everywhere was still vividly green!

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

But lest we forget, it was still winter. And very. Cold.Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Colorful town!
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Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Sadly, the library was closed.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

More pub food. We were becoming experts in meat and potatoes and fish ‘n’ chips at this point.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

We even braved the cold and went up in a tower tour.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

And then we did a little museum-ing.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

The Natural History Museum had everything from the birds of the air…

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

To dinosaurs “evolving” to be ready for their displays…

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To dinosaurs galore…

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Including two silly triceratops…

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

The Pitts River Museum next door was packed to the brim.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Lots of interesting things, but a tad overwhelming.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

That evening, we went to an Evensong mass at the Christ Church.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Beautiful service, with a beautiful choir. I loved that the congregation all sits facing one another.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

I can only imagine what it would be like to be a student and stroll around these courtyards every day…

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

That evening we went to Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant for dinner. The naked chef did not disappoint. Such great food!

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Introduced the group to arancini for appetizers.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

I had tuna something. Ate every bite, and was then extra full.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Girls’ dinner!

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

I loved that our group also spent some great downtime around the flat. Lots of readers here. :)

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

And lots of card playing. Trouble, I tell you… ;)

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

The next day for New Year’s Eve, we were all a little giddy that our reservations came through to have dinner at The Eagle & Child — the famous meeting place of The Inklings (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, etc.).

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

We even lucked out, and were seated in the specific room where the Inklings used to hang out.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

They kept an eye on us all through dinner. :)

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

We took lots of photos. Ok, lots of photos.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Our 3-course meal was also superb! Loved the fried brie appetizers.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Then I had the salmon for my entree.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

And a warm crumble for dessert.

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So happy to share the night with these girls!

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

A little more Eagle & Child fun…

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Afterwards, we went to the Rose & Crown — Thom Yorke’s favorite pub.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

And then we surprised ourselves and ended up back at Cote — the same restaurant we loved in London.

Oxford | gimmesomelife.com

Such a great way to ring in the new year. Cheers!

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2 comments on “Europe 2012: Oxford”

  1. Okay I forgot about the gnocchi. So top 3 best meals, not in order: wedding reception stew, new year’s eve salmon, and first-day-in-oxford gnocchi.

  2. I am getting hungry looking at these pictures! And I miss you ladies.