The scenery from the Carfax Tower

　I've been to Oxford four times. Oxford is the most frequent visited city for me after London.
　When I visited for the first time, we went to Oxford directly from Heathrow by bus. After we left our luggage at our hotel in the suburbs, we went shopping and walked around some markets. After that, we visited Christ Church and looked for a shop which sold Alice goods(made for Lewis Caroll, who was a lecturer of this college). We arrived at the shop quite late, but could buy some goods. However, it was too late to see around the college itself.
　On my second trip, I visited Oxford for a short time while on the way from Stratford-upon-Avon to Heathrow. Firstly, I went to Christ Church again. This time, I looked at Merton College, which our Crown Prince had stayed at while studying, however, I did not go inside. After that, I visited St. Mary Church, the Carfax Tower, and some antique markets.
　On the third and fourth trip, we visited on the way from the Cotswolds to London. We had lunch and visited Christ Church, St. Mary Church, and the Carfax Tower again.
　I don't know why, but probably because I had always visited Oxford for a short time, or went to see the same places again with various friends ; I somehow never feel satisfied at seeing the town itself. Probably I have not seen all of Oxford and moreover, I feel I haven't seen the best of Oxford. This is a problem, as Oxford is a famous place in England.
　

left : the Carfax Tower. You can see the town of Oxford, when you walk up the steps in the tower ; right : a post box in the town. Don't you think that it is attractive?

Christ Church Cathedral. middle : St. Catherine Window ; right : the Jonah Window.
There are a lot of wonderful stained glasses. You may sigh because it is truly beautiful!

Oxford University consists of many colleges, for example, Christ Church, Queen's College, Merton College and so on. When I were there, I could drink in the academic atmosphere in the gentle breeze.

(2002.2.19)

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Trip to England