The Delicate Sound of Pink Floyd in Oxford

We parked at an underground car park in Oxford this morning and had breakfast at Pret, then walked around the town before meeting the tour guide at the Martyrs’ Memorial. We got a message to say that Jenn and Russ were on their way by bus from the Park and Ride but it was held up in heavy traffic. We informed the tour guide that they would be a bit late and they arrived very shortly after the tour started. The tour was very interesting and stuffed full of facts e.g. Oxfam’s first shop being in Oxford (I should have guessed!), all the famous people who went to the various colleges, the spot where C S Lewis, sheltering one evening from the snow, saw a lion and some fauns carved on a door panel and allegedly came up with the idea of Aslan and Mr Tumnus. There was a graduation going on so we saw lots of graduates wearing their gowns and proud parents queuing up to go into the ceremony at the Oxford Theatre. After our tour we  had lunch on the top floor of the Ashmolean Museum; what a delightful restaurant with excellent food. We had a good chat with Jenn and Russ who were on good form. We looked around some Italian Renaissance paintings before leaving the Ashmolean and going to the Turf Tavern which dates from the 12th century and is a warren of tiny thick-walled rooms. It is so ancient and unique. Thence to Checkers pub, another traditional and historic pub where we met up with a group of Jenn and Russ’s friends who were very welcoming to us. A short walk away was Oxford Town Hall where we saw a Pink Floyd tribute act called The Delicate Sound of Pink Floyd. This was Jenn and Russ’s 40th Wedding Anniversary gift to us. The band were very good; two of their number comprised a friend of Jenn and Russ and his son who were both excellent guitarists. A great evening.