The exciting elements of the journey for Grumpy and Grandma included negotiating 4 flights of steps and a bridge with a pushchair and toddler; discovering that nappy-changing facilities at Oxford station are in the LOCKED disabled toilet and the man who has the key is well-hidden from the public; finding that many people, especially young men, were helpful when they saw obviously inept grandparents struggling with doors etc.
First familiar sight in Oxford - not a dreaming spire but....
We didn't think that Millie would be very interested in the colleges but here's a glimpse of a spire, just to prove that these really are Oxford bicycles
Of course, what Millie really wanted to see was the Oxford canal with its narrow boats.
If only this were a real lock, we might go sailing up to Coventry!
Although I have had a boating holiday on the Thames and spent many a pleasant hour punting on the Isis, I have never been on board a narrow boat. I have always considered them as attractive and rather romantic vessels but I am currently reading Terry Darlington's Narrow Dog to Carcassonne
and my views are being seriously challenged.
The boats share the canal with ducks and Canada geese
The purpose of our visit was to buy a present for Baby Benjamin so we had, reluctantly, to leave the canal and walk along to Cornmarket Street, where it is advisable to look up to see the splendid architecture above the modern shop fronts:
This beautiful Tudor house is also a mobile phone shop and sandwich bar!
At this point the heavens opened and we ran for shelter and the camera was put away for another day.