First time in Oxford

So even though I have lived near Oxford for over 30 years I have never visited. 

So yesterday was a brilliant treat.  

Exploring such a fascinating city was so much fun.  I'm not normally a fan of cities, I don't like the crowds and the built up space.  

But like Norwich I found it such a great place.  The buildings are stunning.  I have never seen (except London) such a huge mix of nationalities.  

The fact that so many academics come to study and goodness there are so many different areas of study. From music to science and art it is just incredible. 

I am also a big fan of Inspector Morse.  Inspector Morse embodies cultured, upper-middle-class Britishness, and enjoys the finer things in life - good beer, vintage cars, fine opera. He and his trusty companion, Detective Sergeant Lewis, solve the crimes that plague the environs of University of Oxford. Although he's a brilliant detective, Morse is not infallible - and he's often pretty grumpy to boot. But he and Lewis tend to make sure the bad guys pay for their crimes

The series ran from 1987-2000 for a total of 33 episodes.  So I am going to research some of the locations for a return trip. 

But for now here was the adventure done on the first visit. 

Knitting outside Christchurch College on the Broad Walk

This shop was disappointing it was VERY small but glad went to have a look, but just far too much commercial knick knacks for me

This is Pembroke College which is 400 years old. 

A telephone box with different layouts of the Sylvanian Families.  

It was a forgone conclusion that I'd visit the wool shop The Wool Hound to see James Makes Yarn.

Some of the other eclectic finds on the trip. 

This is Lincoln College with almost 600 years of amazing history. 

The streets are just such a mix of architecture. 

We asking for tips I was recommended by two people that must visit Blackwells bookshop which has been selling books since 1879.  It is the most amazing shop I have been in and if you get the chance it has to be on the visit list. 

Finally with all the hype of the Barbie movie I just had to share these Crocs, but goodness they where heavy! 

(2) Sheringham Museum & Cley by the sea RSPB Reserve and beach.

 

 

The Herring Girls

From the mid 1800s through to the 1950s herring was a vital catch which enriched the nation. It provided a valuable source of employment for fishermen and gutting girls, who prepared and salted the catch.

The herring shoals were fished in the winter and spring on the East Coast of Scotland. The herring girls followed the fleet as the shoals moved to the North Coast of Scotland and Shetland in the summer and down to the East Anglian Coast in autumn.

From as far away as the Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Isles came the girls that would travel the length of the country to gut and prepare the precious catch. They would pack their trunks and board chartered trains to take them to the ports. They began to follow the fishing fleet from the age of 15.

Dressed in long skirts, aprons, jumpers, head scarves and wellington boots the herring girls would begin work on the quayside at 6 a.m. Singing in Gaelic and wielding sharp knives they could gut a fish a second. They would bind their hands to protects themselves from cuts, but the salt that preserved the fish would certainly hurt their hands. The girls worked in teams of three - two gutting the fish and the tallest girl grading and filling the barrels. At 8 a.m. they could break for a bowl of porridge and a cup of tea and then they worked through the day until they finished at 6 p.m.

It was hard work but it meant freedom from the traditional role of wife and mother. Working in the day and socialising in the evening the 'herring lasses' lived life on their own terms. Their wages were low but they bought gifts for their families at home to remind them of their travels mementos like - dishes with the names of the ports like Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.