DATE: Tuesday 8 August, 1995
PLACE: Reading
WEATHER: Warm
REMARKS: A two-site day. We follow Dave's PC-generated directions
for a scenic drive to Oxford. It takes us through a beautiful
village (Pangbourne) and along the Thames (crowded with boats)
for a distance.
Oxford itself is amazing - crowded with tourists, streets
for pedestrians and buses only, and lovely gothic buildings.
We wander through a few colleges and into the Asmolean Library;
tour groups are everywhere. A visit to the 'Story of Oxford'
attraction is fascinating, and is a 'ride' of very gentle
pace and no 'thrills'.
We retrieve the car and go on to Blenheim Palace, the home
of the Churchills. This is a sprawling edifice set in magnificent
Park and grounds. While part is dedicated to Winston, the
rest is a 'family home', with stunning collections of china,
beautiful tapestries, and crystal, and a magnificent library
of approximately 10,000 volumes.
We also visit an adventure playground and butterfly house;
although few species, lots of specimens.
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