Oriel College & Pimms Party on the Lawn

Hiya Chicks!

This is choppy and disorganized but I really need to post *something* so I am just going to hop to it...

Last Thursday night (now two weeks ago, August 23rd-- this did not get posted on time..) our somewhat elderly history professor invited the western option over to Oriel College for a ‘Pimms Party’. The group was surprised at the invite as his class is somewhat sleep-inducing (mainly to his monotone voice and melancholy manner--we asked him what he does when he is not teaching in the summer and he replied: “waiting to die.” cheery.) Nevertheless, I found the party delightful and he was quite the host at the party, where he repeatedly encouraged us to not limit ourselves to just one glass of the Pimms. Afterwards, we wandered over to our second high table meal where we all left, one again, food-coma-full. 

solo pic with the baths

As I previously mentioned, we have classes four days a week which left Friday open; I joined in on the organized trip to Bath and Stonehenge--a decision I certainly did not regret.

Around nine we bus-ed it to Bath. We walked around and viewed apartments based upon the architecture of Colosseum (one can $till live there, which is pretty neat), grabbed lunch at Pret (a chain recently bought by McDonalds--I have seen them in DC/NYC....do you all have these in your hometown?) before touring the well-preserved Roman site for public bathing.



Caldarium--hot air flowed through to heat the floor





 

 

 

 

 

 

During some free time, a group of us meandered to Sally Lunn bun, home of the original bath bun, which was good but not life-changing (I would relate it to a hamburger bun, I tried one topped with lemon curd). http://www.sallylunns.co.uk/

Afterwards, our Dean led a tour through Bath Abbey, a perpendicular (gothic) style church known for its intricate fan vaulting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last stop included the renowned Stonehenge:



*required touristy pic*



Clotted cream (not the best for the lactose-intolerant) and jam

After this eventful day, we headed back to the College for some piiizaaaa, M&Ms and digestives (taste better than they sound, promise) and finally caught up on some much needed zzzs

Sunday afternoon I attended ‘Cream Tea’ (Meaning tea with scones) at the Brown, which was splendid.

We had an accumulation of assignments due last Thursday, but were rewarded with yet another High Table dinner and a trip to Dublin the next morning (and by morning, i mean 3 AM...it wasn’t pretty)

 

 

Our Assignment for our Literature class= An Arthurian rendition of “Mean Girls” lolz

 

The Factory--note the shape!

DUBLIN, iRELAND

We arrived in Dublin around 8:30 am, where we had a bus tour of the city followed by a visit to the Guinness Factory at 10:30. After learning about the brewing process, we were able to pour our own pint of the beer and taste the “goodness of Guinness.”

Never too early for some bur..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While most of the group stayed in Trinity College, the overflow (myself included) spent the two nights in a quaint hotel, Saunton’s on the Green. Following a glorious catnap, we had yet another three-course meal (which seems to be a theme of this trip--no complaints here) to Dobbins Wine Bistro.



I could write a blog on the desserts of this trip alone

Afterwards, I went to The Temple bar, recommended by locals, which played great live music, even some Johnny Cash! There was a very hyped up football game this weekend (seven years in planning, apparently--Navy vs. Notre Dame for those of you who follow football) which equated to numerous Americans in Dublin; this was slightly comforting but mostly annoying as we were automatically grouped in with the wild football fans (please, we are actually studying over here!)

 

Saturday morning we had a home-cooked breakfast at Sauntons before viewing the Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library. I spent the morning visiting the National Gallery of Ireland and exploring Christ Church before a lunch at the library gallery.

The afternoon consisted of a bit of shopping and an afternoon full of pub hopping, starting at 3 pm and lasting far into the night. I knew I had found my place when I heard a live rendition of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” mixed with Eminem's “Lose YOurself.” Loved it.

 

Sunday morning was, by far, my favorite time spent in Ireland. After an 8 AM checkout we drove to the Irish Countryside, over the Wicklow Hills to the monastic site and lake of Glendalough, where we explored for about two hours.

 





unreal

A portion of "The Count of Monte Cristo" was filmed here

After another three-course Sunday lunch at Glenview Hotel we went to Powerscourt, an Irish estate.





This trip made me excited to start travelling the continent, which is just a few weeks away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    



just around the riberbend..

This past week... 

...we started the second half of our classes, the main difference, besides new teachers and topics, is the slightly longer class periods Monday/Wednesday; however, the workload is very manageable and allows plenty of opportunity to explore the area, such as punting after class and a trivia night at a pub this past Tuesday.

Currently, I am just back from my fourth High Table dinner.We had a Globe actor speak to us about theatre production beforehand, as tomorrow we leave to see a 2 pm showing of Taming of the Shrew at the Globe (!); Afterwards, I have a night flight to Amsterdam with some frands.

There is so much to look forward to in the coming week; it’s hard to believe this is my life right now...feeling very lucky.

Love from Oxfahd!





ES 2012