Felix at Oxford

[helenazar]

 The description of the damp carpet  like walking through a marsh sounds pretty typical of how I remember the place. Certainly didn't need a fridge for the winter and spring terms...  

Good thing I am going in May!  

The Bodleian is a lot of library buildings, the main ones (and the original and most attractive) all right in the centre of town - opposite them is the New Bod, built in the sixties out of concrete and absolutley foul inside or out.  But there still ain't no campus...  

The only thing I know is that we are getting put up in place called the Rewley House, which is supposed to be near the Bodleian Library (don't know which one)... So there is no campus at all, just a bunch of buildings scattered around town?  

[rskkiya]

All of Oxford is a 'campus' ...
In my poor opinion it is (or was) the most beautiful place in England...I miss it dreadfully and I wish you the joy of a visit.

rskkiya

[helenazar]

All of Oxford is a 'campus' ...
In my poor opinion it is (or was) the most beautiful place in England...I miss it dreadfully and I wish you the joy of a visit.

rskkiya

That's what  I heard too, about it being the most beautiful place in England. I have been to England twice, but only the London area, never made it out to Oxford. Thanks, I am really excited about going!

[Robert_Hall]

I agree, it is  very lovely. I used to visit quite often when a dear friend of mine lived there. Was quite temped to actually MOVE there [from Islington] at one point.
It remains a special place to me for various reasons, one amongst them being that it is the place I met the Princess Diana.

[helenazar]

Do you guys have any recommendations as to where to go locally - walking distance as I won't have a car and will be in class all day until the evening. Local pubs, used book stores, cafes, little local theaters, etc? Any tip like that will be appreciated! How big is Oxford anyway? Can one walk the centre in a few hours or is it way bigger than that? For example, I can walk NYC from midtown to downtown in about 2 hours, is it something like that? I need to pick up a book about Oxford before I go.  

[helenazar]

It remains a special place to me for various reasons, one amongst them being that it is the place I met the Princess Diana.

Robert, did you just run into her there or did you know you would be meeting?

[rskkiya]

   Well, it's a very old city, so I doubt that it would be laid out like NYC --- although I'm a savage, and I was only once in New York (as a wee baby) so I don't know ....
   For the joy of a visit, give it as much time as you can spare - a day is certainly not enough time - but its a wonderful place to wander about in!
   Is your agenda to be simply "Felix focused" or do you intend any other adventures in mind?

rskkiya

[Robert_Hall]

No, it was not a planned meeting. Just "at the right place"...which is a mis-staement if ever there was one. I was visiting a friend at a hospice.
As far as the town centre- very compact.  Much smaller than your Manhatten trek !  The river walk is beautiful, or at least was, been about 5 years since my last visit. GREAT bookstores. The shopping arcade has/had some interesting places, besides the usual chain stores. I remember a very good food hall, especially the butcer's shop.
As for pub, well, there is one I had a lot of fun in....but it may be a bit much for some.
Everything is easy walking from the train station or bus stops. The only time I recall needing a car hire was visiting friends in the "suburbs"..a cheap cab ride.
Now you have me wanting to return ! Perhaps on my next stay.

[helenazar]

  Well, it's a very old city, so I doubt that it would be laid out like NYC     
rskkiya

Oh, I just meant distance wise, to give me an idea.

  Is your agenda to be simply "Felix focused" or do you intend any other adventures in mind?

rskkiya

Felix is just by default, I happened to remember that he went there, that's all. I meant all kinds of stuff!

[helenazar]

As far as the town centre- very compact.  Much smaller than your Manhatten trek !  The river walk is beautiful, or at least was, been about 5 years since my last visit. GREAT bookstores. The shopping arcade has/had some interesting places, besides the usual chain stores. I remember a very good food hall, especially the butcer's shop.
 

Thanks, sounds great!

As for pub, well, there is one I had a lot of fun in....but it may be a bit much for some.
 

Hey, what's that supposed to mean?  

Now you have me wanting to return !

Come on down in May!  

[Robert_Hall]

Helen, in May I shall be in China.
The pub ?  well, maybe privately.

[helenazar]

Helen, in May I shall be in China.
 

Hey, China is pretty good too!

The pub ?  well, maybe privately.

Gotcha.

No, it was not a planned meeting. Just "at the right place"...which is a mis-staement if ever there was one. I was visiting a friend at a hospice.

I guess Diana was visiting the hospice too at the time.

[Robert_Hall]

Yes. It was kept quiet to avoid the mob scene, but they took pictures and gave them to us.

[helenazar]

Yes. It was kept quiet to avoid the mob scene, but they took pictures and gave them to us.

That's pretty cool. Do you still have the photos?

[Robert_Hall]

We were each given one. Yes, I still have mine.