day 1

This was the official beginning of the tour.  We woke up early, had to get the luggage downstairs by 6:30am.  That is pretty hard for me - I am on vacation after all.  After breakfast we were off.  The very first stop was the film site for Diagon Alley where Harry went to shop for all the magical supplies for school.  Of course when we arrived, it was Sunday and it was all closed.  But I still found the MAGIC door leading into Diagon Alley.  And with a wave of my wand, there I was!

To most of the world Diagon Alley is Leadenhall Market.  But you could still see where the magic could happen.

the entrance

the ceiling

So after we wandered around Diagon Alley for a bit, we went for a wander around London to see some of the more famous sites..

London Bridge

weird shaped building

another weird building shaped like a bullet

We then had lunch at a Medevial place where i got to visit with King Henry VIII.  I thought at first he was a statue until he spoke to me. (kinda scared me a little) - but then i asked him why he killed all his wives.  He said he actually only beheaded one, divorced one, cast out a couple.  I asked him which one was his favorite but he couldn't remember.

then i finally found my knight in shining armour!!  i have been waiting for him for such a long time.  i kept trying to get him to come with me - but funny enough he wouldn't talk to me.  do  you think maybe he didn't like me as much as i liked him?  isn't he so handsome tho?

After lunch we boarded the bus and raced off to Oxford.  It was a couple of hours drive and we arrived kinda close to the end of the day.  but - never fear, we had to walk about a mile (those brits, they keep saying "just a sort 15 minute walk") to see Christ's Church.

This was important because it was the model for Hogwarts Great Hall. I can see Harry sitting there now!

it was also important because CS Lewis was a teacher there and was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland here.

After our jog thru Christ's Church (which, by the way, is the name of the college and the building not the place) we were left to find our way to dinner or back to the hotel.

Billy and I chose to eat at the Turf Tavern, one of the oldest taverns in Oxford.  Built in 1242, it has been a pub for almost 800 years.

First we had to find the place, as it was down this hidden little "close".  that is what they call an alley that is about 36 inches wide.  Maybe that is why it is called a 'close'????

It was a cool little tavern filled with noisy students and tourists. 

we had a wnderful traditional sunday dinner.  then we had a "short" walk back to the hotel.

By this time I am pretty tired.  I just wanna go to sleep......