When in Rome...

Yesterday, Day 2, the majority of our group, lead by Dr.'s Barchas, Bruster, and Scala, walked to Port Meadow.  The name is pretty self-explanatory.  There is a port, and a meadow.  And along both is a walking trail that eventually ends at a very "posh pub" to reward you after the long walk with a "pint." So our journey consisted of first walking to the outskirts of Oxford, then along the trail that runs along side the Thames River (which flows the center of London).  It was a beautiful, relaxing, and very scenic walk. Port Meadow was the connecting grounds between the countryside pub and the city of Oxford. The meadow is actually very large and a feeding commons. Port Meadow's commons is the longest living public commons in England, and actually one of the few remaining public commons in England. (Hence, the cattle right along the walking path.) Most of the old public commons have been bought off and have become private. The pub at the end of the trail is called "The Trout." It was a very nice and modern pub, but enclosed in a very ancient cottage. It was beautiful, and it was a very hot spot. Seeing as how this was my first British pub experience, I figured I had no choice but to enjoy my first British pint (FYI, 1 British imperial pint equals 20 ounces). It was so refreshing, and I think everyone needed a little something to take the edge off. (And again, I had no choice but to drink the whole thing!)

These are the back yard gates of some people's homes. These homes are right along the Thames River as we are starting to get out of the city.

A cottage very near the port of Port Meadow that we are approaching.

At Port Meadow, many people sail, fish, and picnic with their families. The commons is the meadow on the other side of the river.

A cottage off in the distance with its fire place going.

Cows feeding and resting along the walking trail.

On the bridge overlooking "The Trout" pub.

Me and my first British pint.