Blackwell's

I can't remember the first time G and I visited Oxford and did the Big Bus tour. It must have been around 2006. A bookshop that had 5km of shelving was pointed out. G's ears perked up, but there wasn't time to go in. "Just as well," I thought.

Two years ago, we visited CS Lewis's home in Risinghurst and as we were in the vicinity, G wanted to go to the bookshop. However, when we got to Broad Street, she disappeared into the Bodleian Library and then we ended up in the Reading Room and that was that (short) visit.

Today, we drove to Oxford to meet up with my nephew Jon. He had expressed an interest in photography and having a proper camera (rather than using his phone) when we met him at the start of our holiday, and I promised I would let him have a spare camera I'd brought over. We got there earlier and G finally got to Blackwell's Bookshop today!

Wow. What a place. On the outside, it just looks like a normal bookshop, but step in and you soon realise what a treasure it is. We only had two hours, so she headed straight to where CS Lewis' books are kept, so we only saw one section. I hope my main image manages to show the multi-level nature of this store!

Whilst there, a researcher from Blenheim Palace was there. They have a summer series of lectures, and today was the fourth and she happened to be talking about The Unknown Churchill. Perfect and very topical for us atm. We were there in the right place at the right time and caught most of her talk.

We had to leave to meet up with Jon. It was good to see him again and we explained about the camera over a shared platter. We then went to the terrace of Westgate Mall to try it out (see extra). He has lots to learn and it's great that he has such a picturesque city to test his new toy!

We dropped him back to his new student house and started to head home. The road took us back into Oxford and before we knew it, we were on Broad Street again and went past the Eagle and Child Pub! G saw a sign to Blenheim Palace, so we went there. It was closed of course so today, she contended with a photo from the gates!

A good journey home that didn't take too long. We managed to completely avoid motorways travelling there and were on the M4 briefly on the way back, arriving home just after 9pm. There is lots to do tomorrow, so I'd better switch off here.