July 12, 2008 - Warwick/Oxford

It was an interesting evening in the tents. It did get very cold, and it was a little damp because it had rained a little in the evening. The peacocks finally settled down and stopped calling to each other. It seems so strange to see them wandering everywhere.

We spent the morning exploring Warwick Castle and the grounds. Many of the delegates climbed the wall and walked around the perimeter. Some braved the Haunted Tower, and everyone hit the gift shops. All of the points of attraction are located around the main courtyard.

The feature attraction in the courtyard is The Mound built in 1038 by William the Conqueror. It is the oldest remaining part of the castle. We also got to see the trebuchet operate again before we left.

Before heading to the hotel, we stopped by the prestigious Oxford University. We took a short walking tour around part of the campus. We saw several graduates walking the streets in their gowns.

Along the way we saw the Martyr's Memorial which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It resembles a spire, and it's said the Oxford students dupe tourists into believing the spire was part of an underground church. For a price they would direct them to the stairs...which would lead to the toilet.

We also saw a sunken cross in the roadway. It marks the spot where Bloody Mary had three Archbishops executed for refusing to convert.

We saw Radcliff Camera, the most photographed building in Oxford. It's a very prestigious library that is selective very about its users. We also went into the foyer of the Bodleian Library. Scenes of the infirmary in Harry Potter were filmed at the Divinity School here.

We also saw the lawn where parts of the Harry Potter Quidduch match were filmed. It was at the Church of St. Mary and All Souls College.

Oxford is a busy college town, even on a Saturday afternoon. It reminded me of Ohio State.

We've at our last hotel of our stay. We're right next to Heathrow Airport. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last full day here. We'll start a phone tree tomorrow for a reminder for airport pickup.