Life Goals: Books upon Books upon Books

Today was incredible. It was our last day trip we'll be taking (and, consequently, our last coach ride), and we certainly went out with a bang. We went to Blenheim Palace, where Churchill was born and raised, and Oxford University. Basically it was picturesque, and lovely, and all sorts of wonderful.

Our first stop was Blenheim Palace. This place was incredible; it had enormous grounds, and the palace itself was large, too. It was a bit chillier than my phone told me it would be today, so I had worn short sleeves and a scarf. Thankfully, the inside of the palace, though still a bit nippy in spots, was warmer than the breezy outdoors. We went through a Churchill exhibit and the State rooms (or maybe it was Estate rooms. . . I'm not really sure).

Our group of girls is large, and nobody likes to see forty girls trying to get into a palace at the same time. The lady at the front of the palace looked thoroughly annoyed with us, and I felt bad, but we did leave relatively quickly, and went out to the gardens. We spread out there and I felt a lot less conspicuous. The gardens were also stunning, so that made the experience all the more wonderful.

We first went through the formal gardens which contained a small maze, fountains, and statues. It was your typical palace garden, and it was fun. The Secret Garden, however, was my favorite place.

The Secret Garden looked like it had been taken directly out of a landscaping book. Or maybe they wrote a landscaping book after it. It was the ideal of gardening. There were winding pathways, birds in the trees, and so much color! There was also a gazebo covered in vines which was incredibly romantic. I stayed in that garden long enough to be left behind by the group. That was okay, though, because smaller groups are my preferred way of being in nature. I broke out my map (which I actually managed to read correctly this time) and headed toward the rose garden.

I ran into another girl, Shelby, on the way, and we walked together. Shelby is from Utah, too, so it was fun talking about people we both knew. We walked through the beautiful grounds and I thought I would love to be there forever (it had warmed up a bit by this point).

We made our way to the rose garden which smelled and looked amazing, and then Shelby and I headed over to the Cascade (because I can never pass up a good waterfall).

This walk took us through a more natural-looking part of the grounds, and it was extremely pleasant. We got the waterfall and I was delighted until we got close enough to smell it. I think I'll enjoy looking at pictures of it.

By this time we had about forty-five minutes to get back on the coach, so we decided to head back another way. We walked by the lake and there were points where I almost thought I was back home. It was a good place.

We then headed to Oxford. Professor Talbot took a group of us around the university and pointed out buildings and places to visit. I was so glad that he let us follow him around for an hour. I learned a lot, and I loved watching him dart into buildings and lovingly touch the stone walls as we walked by. I'll miss having him as a professor.

After the tour I went into the covered market they have in Oxford (it was entirely delightful) and, because it was two and I still hadn't eaten lunch, slipped into a place that looked good to purchase a sandwich. I ended up in a place called Brothers which had a fun atmosphere and friendly employees. The man who handed me my sandwich gave me approximately ten napkins with it and warned me to be careful because it was hot. I can't tell if he was just being extra kind, or if he thought I wasn't capable of eating a sandwich without burning myself and/or making a disaster. I'm gonna go with the former because it makes me feel better about him (and myself).

I wandered around the market for a bit until I ran into Melissa and Miriam, sisters who came out here together. They wanted to go to the same place I did (the best bookstore in the world), so we headed over together.

I didn't know what to expect, exactly, from this bookstore, but it was everything you could wish for and more. I decided that I'll probably have to work in a bookstore at some point in my life (or a library, but I already knew that), and I have absolutely no idea how long we were in there. It was probably well over an hour. It was my idea of the perfect afternoon.

It was upon leaving the bookstore that I experienced something I've never experienced before. It was like buyer's remorse, but it was regret that I hadn't purchased anything. I told myself I was being strong, but I totally have room for one or two more books in my suitcases. Ah well. Next time I'll listen. Maybe ;)

We headed over to The Eagle and the Child (the pub where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met and talked) and then got back on the bus for the Centre. I was exhausted and feeling gross, so when Caitlin and Kenna were planning their evening run I, on a bit of a whim, asked to join them.

I don't know if everyone understands what a big deal this is. I loathe running. The last time I ran for an extended period of time was my Sophomore year of high school in P.E., and that wasn't even consistent because I alternated between running and walking. I will walk, I will hike, I will ride a bike, but I live like running is against everything I hold dear and holy. But tonight I felt like I needed a run. So I went.

We ran three miles and our speed was a pretty regular 9.2 mph. And we didn't stop once. I didn't walk, I just ran. And, though it was sort of miserable, it was also good. Who knows? I may even go again tomorrow!

Blenheim Palace. It could belong in a Jane Austen novel.

In the Churchill exhibit. I've told you I love Churchill, right?

I believe this was his mother's room. . .

Just a great quote from the man

Because why not cover your walls and upholster your furniture with the same fabric?

A dining room

There were so many exquisite clocks.

Wall art

This. This was my favorite room in the entire palace. I want this in my home (except maybe not as large as this one). It was beautiful.

Shelves after shelves after shelves, all full of books.

Basically, it was perfect. Literally perfect.

The grounds that go on forever.

A more complete view of the palace.

The formal gardens

Amy

The back of the palace. Or maybe it was the side. . . I can't really remember.

On our way to the secret garden

Because if you're going to have yellow bushes you might as well hedge them to look like Peeps.

Chloe in the secret garden

The Secret Garden

They had rhubarb (or at least rhubarb's cousin)!

These flowers were cool; they formed rings that were stacked, one on top of another.

See?

Leaving the Secret Garden

The rose garden

The waterfall

With the waterfall to my back. . . It was breathtaking.

The lake!

At Oxford. Samuel Johnson attended here, and his rooms were the two at the top.

Christ's Church College

Inside the quad of one of the smaller colleges

Another quad. Some of Harry Potter was actually filmed here.

Where John Donne studied. I can't remember what college he was in, unfortunately.

The library. This place was huge.

The library

The former reading room of the university. I don't believe Professor Talbot told us what it is now.

This is the lamp from The Chronicles of Narnia. The makers of the newer movie actually had an exact replica of this lamppost in the movie, because this is the one that likely inspired C.S. Lewis to have a lamppost there in the first place.

Blackwell Bookstore! This was a good place to get a little lost.

Life.Goals.

Is there a happier sight? Nope. Also, this was just one floor. There was a secondhand area on the floor above us, and we didn't even make it up there.

I died.

I died again. Music humor is the greatest.

Everyone rides bikes here.

The Eagle and the Child Pub

Now I'm beyond exhausted. The best sort of days'll do that to you.