Exploring Oxford

The above photo was taken in Oxford while laying on the grass after lunch.

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The purpose of the days adventures was to head out to Oxford in order for Kyran to meet with fellow robot enthusiasts and for him to see around their labs.

LONDON
Above: Paddington station, first opened in 1854 the station is currently undergoing a £35million project to fully restore platforms 9 to 12 and the Edwardian roof above them, known as span four.

Left: Paddington station featuring the British Rail class 43 trains that run on diesel and can reach top speeds of 238 km/h. These trains were manufactured between 1975 and 1982.







 


Left: Baker Street under ground train station. 221b Baker Street - the Official Home of Sherlock Holmes!










OXFORD

Left: Compilation of flower gardens and displays that are a common sight in Oxford at this time of the year.

Below: A panorama from the center of Oxford where the town has grown around the cemetery leaving a contrast between the old Oxford and the new.

Left: Lunch in the grass area of saint Giles Church Oxford,dedicated to St Giles, the gentle saint.
The church dates back to A.D. 1086, originally its situation was outside Oxford’s city boundaries.






 Left: By late afternoon there were pigeons perched all over the grave yard. These two photogenic pigeons were particularly contented and drew the attention of my camera.

Above:View of Oxford from St. Georges tower in the Oxford castle.

Right: Kyran standing on the top floor of the tower. 

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The oxford castle was originally built as Saxon tower at the west corner the wall. 

When invaded by the Normans the walls were pulled down and a motte and bailey fort was built next to the town which remained.

The original motte and bailey that was originally built in wood was later upgraded to stone. 

Most of the castle was destroyed during the English civil war and by the 18th century the remaining buildings had become Oxford's local prison. A new prison complex was built on the site from 1785 onwards and expanded in 1876; this became HM Prison Oxford, the prison finally closed in 1996.

Left: View of Oxford through the arrow slot in the top of St. Georges tower 













Left: 101stairs leading to the top of St. Georges tower.
The stairs were purposely designed and built to be different sizes, this was in order trip people up in the case of an attack. 
The stair also spiral in a direction the allows a right handed swordsman to strike down at the attacker.









Left: This is the crypt of St George's Chapel which is believed to be the earliest secular institution in the UK.

It is famous as the home of the tales of King Arthur  which were penned in this very college in the 1100's AD by Geoffry Monmouth.

  











Above: Me in the stocks outside Oxford castle
 
Right: Kyran regretful after being imprisoned in one of the cells in the Oxford castle.

The day concluded with rail way strikes which caused the cancellation of trains back into London. In an attempt to get back before the 10:30ish sun down we headed to Banbury and then in to London from that direction. A total delay of 3 hours.